Kelley's Russian Dressing for Reuben Sandwiches, etc.

My husband flipped for this Russian dressing, which is incredibly easy to make (we will never buy Thousand Island/Russian dressing at the store again).

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sweet pickle relish (I like Wickles Pickles brand relish; alternatively, you can finely chop sweet pickles and add 1 teaspoon sweet pickle juice)

2 tablespoons cocktail sauce

Directions:

Whisk mayonnaise, relish, and cocktail sauce in small bowl.  Use within 3 days.

Ideas for Uses:

• Reuben Sandwiches
• Reuben Dogs
• Reuben Sliders
• Meat Loaf Sandwiches
• All Purpose Sandwich Spread
• Tuna Salad (use Russian Dressing instead of straight mayonnaise and add lemon juice and capers)
• Macaroni Salad (use Russian Dressing and celery; add a little extra relish and mayo to thicken if needed; hard boiled eggs and tuna can be added for a more substantial salad)
• Russian Deviled Eggs with Bacon Crumbles! (6 hard boiled eggs plus 1/3 cup dressing and 2 slices cooked bacon)
• Iceberg Wedge Salad
• Cobb Salad
• Vegetable Dip
• Accompaniment for Ham
• Pairing for Beer (especially craft ales and lagers)
• Pretzel/Chip Dip

PS Thousand Island dressing is completely different than Russian dressing - the two are not the same thing. Hands down, I prefer Russian dressing over Thousand Island any day as it is bolder and can be made spicier with the addition of a little extra horseradish and/or paprika.

Exactly why we called it “Russian” is not certain; some say it is because early recipes called for the addition of caviar, while others say it’s because the dressing was designed to top a Russian-inspired salad known as Salad Olivier.  I personally think it's because of the pickles - Russian's love pickles!