Thousand Island Dressing

Back in the 1970's the little town of Chester, Connecticut where I lived was undergoing some changes which included the renovation of several buildings. An old factory which served as a saw mill, a woodworking shop and a brush factory was converted into a Chart House Restaurant. They left the inside of the mill in tact with its large beams and the water-driven pulley system. It became "the" place to go for a delicious meal or to sit in their lounge on a gigantic sofa near the stacked stone fireplace.

At that time my mother and step father Don owned the down town local "gin mill" named The Pattaconk Inn. If you've read previous blogs you know that they served hot daily specials, sandwiches and grinders from a small kitchen off of the bar. The Chart House staff soon became familiar with the Pattaconk for a place to have a cocktail when their shift was done and my parents often dined at The Chart House when they could wangle a night off.

I found these images on the Chester website and thought I would share with you.

This first image is of the Pattaconk as it is today - a little more dressed up than when my parents owned it and because of a major flood after they sold it - massive inside renovation.

This second image is that of the Chart House. It is no longer the Chart House however the building and inside have been kept in tact and it still is a restaurant.

I told you all of that to tell you that this recipe for Thousand Island Dressing came from the original Chart House restaurant in Chester, Connecticut. This makes a ton of dressing but it is so incredibly delicious you will never, ever want to buy a bottle brand again.

• 1 quart mayonnaise
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 medium red onion diced
• 4 sweet Gherkin pickles finely diced
• 1 sweet red pepper - seeds removed and finely diced
• 1 celery stalk - outer strings removed and finely diced
• 2 hard boiled eggs - finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend with a spoon or use a hand held mixer.  This makes 1 quart of dressing and will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, maybe longer if sealed properly.

This recipe makes approximately 6 cups - roughly 48 ounces of dressing. The total cost came to $10.39. You would get three sixteen ounce bottles of dressing if you compare it with store brands. In checking the store prices for a 16 ounce bottle of dressing the price was $3.69 and multiplying it by 3 bottles you would end up forking over $11.07 for a chemically laden dressing. For me, fresh and home made is better!