Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

Inspired by a old newspaper clipping recipe for the house salad dressing from the Changing Scene restaurant in Rochester, this creamy garlic pepper parmesan salad dressing is super easy to make, and absolutely delicious!

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (1)

Do you remember the Changing Scene restaurant? If you are from Rochester if you didn’t get a chance to dine there, you at least most likely heard stories about the unique downtown restaurant. The high-profile restaurant closed many years ago but remains part of our local culture, and skyline.

Rochester’s Revolving Restaurant

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (2)

The Changing Scene opened in downtown Rochester in August 1977 as the first revolving restaurant in New York state. The restaurant featured the best views of the city from its 21st-floor perch on top of the First Federal Building.

Revolving restaurants are found all over the world, but they all feature an eating space that rests atop a broad circular revolving platform that operates as a large turntable. The restaurant its self doesn’t rotate, just the interior dining area. The building remains stationary and the diners are carried on the revolving floor. The revolving rate at The Changing Scene was once per hour which enabled diners to enjoy a panoramic view of Downtown Rochester without leaving their seats.

The Changing Scene was not without its struggles during its 11 years in operation, and at one point going through eight general managers in five years [mfn] Democrat & Chronicle, March 1, 2014, Whatever Happened to Changing Scene? [/mfn] There also seem to be conflicting memories of the actual quality of the food, some will say the food was amazing, while others say it was just “ok” at best.

The Changing Scene closed in 1987, and in 1990 and the rotating mechanism was dismantled [mfn] , so it is not likely that space will be going for a spin again anytime soon.

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (3)

The Changing Scene House Salad Dressing Recipe

I found this recipe for The Changing Scene House Salad Dressing in an online forum, and I stashed away the image of the newspaper clipping in my restaurant recipe archive for a few years.

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (4)

The listed ingredients for The Changing Scene’s House Salad Dressing are:

  • 1 pint mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until creamy and no chunks.

A lot of times when I am testing out “restaurant recipes” I have to wonder if ingredients were purposefully omitted, or if there was some error in printing, and that is very much the case with this recipe. The original recipe is quite basic, and not that impressive.

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing

My recipe for Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing, while inspired by Changing Scene’s salad dressing is a little different than the basic dressing from the newspaper clipping. The pepper, garlic and parmesan flavors a played up by the addition of dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a little bit of lemon juice. The mayonnaise-based dressing is then thinned to a perfectly pourable consistency with milk.

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (5)

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Inspired by a old newspaper clipping recipe for the house salad dressing from the Changing Scenes restaurant in Rochester, this creamy garlic parmesan salad dressing is super easy to make, and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • juice of half a lemon
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until creamy and no chunks.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Make the salad dressing early in the day and cover and store in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates. Please see my Nutrition Disclaimer for more information.

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (6)

What are your memories of Changing Scene?

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  1. So glad we found this recipe. We are military fam stationed in South Australia and food options are nothing like America lol. We miss some good salad dressing. Lots of things you miss like simple things-pumpkin purée, sugar free pudding mix flavored drink mixes lol. This recipe was amazing.

    Reply

Creamy Garlic Pepper Parmesan Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is creamy garlic dressing made of? ›

In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk and sugar. Stir in the onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is creamy salad dressing made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 2-4 tbsps mayonnaise.
  • 2-4 tbsps sour cream.
  • 2-4 tbsps yogurt, optional.
  • 1-3 tsps lemon juice or vinegar.
  • 1-4 tsps milk.
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced, or few dashes garlic powder.
  • 1-2 tbsps chives or green onions, minced, or few dashes onion powder.
  • 1-2 tbsps fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill or few dashes dried herbs.
May 4, 2022

What is Parmesan peppercorn dressing made of? ›

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and water until a creamy dressing forms. Taste and if you'd like a bolder pepper flavor, add more ground black pepper to taste. Store refrigerated up to 1 to 2 weeks.

What is the common type of salad dressing which is creamy and thick? ›

Ranch dressing is the most popular salad dressing in the USA due to its creamy texture, tangy buttermilk base, and blend of herbs and spices like garlic, onion, dill, and parsley. Its versatility makes it a staple on dinner tables across America.

How long does homemade salad dressing with garlic last? ›

Homemade vinaigrettes that include fresh or cooked vegetables (like garlic), herbs and fresh citrus juices will last around three days, according to Ziata. Preservative-free vinaigrettes you'll typically find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store will last a little longer, three to five days.

How long does homemade creamy dressing last? ›

We recommend consuming dressings and sauces within 3-4 days to be safe. Food safety aside, we tend to prefer the taste of freshly made dressings, especially when using citrus, yogurt or garlic, and find that 3-4 days is the sweet spot.

How do you thicken creamy salad dressing? ›

For a thicker dressing, start with a scoop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt, then whisk in your citrus juice of choice, some oil, and seasonings. Add some mustard if you like, and a hint of sweetness never hurts. For a thinner creamy dressing, try buttermilk or heavy cream.

What is the best thickener for salad dressing? ›

Xanthan gum is ideal for thickening and emulsifying salad dressings and sauces. A dry free-flowing powder suitable for use in food preparations as a stabilizer, thickener or emulsifier. It is vegetarian and contains no meat, dairy or egg products.

Why is Miracle Whip a salad dressing? ›

Today, commercially, anything labeled “mayonnaise” must be comprised of 65% vegetable oil by weight. The added water and other elements in Miracle Whip take that oil content down, meaning it can't be classified as mayonnaise and must instead be labeled “dressing”.

Who makes Parmesan peppercorn dressing? ›

Ken's Metropolitan Select Parmesan & Peppercorn Dressing is a chef-inspired, creamy, rich full-bodied dressing. Cracked peppercorns and grated parmesan cheese take center stage in this flavor fest.

Why is it called Russian salad dressing? ›

A mayonnaise-based recipe is documented in 1914. The condiment came to be called "Russian" since the original recipe included caviar, a staple of Russian cuisine. Local historians claim that the mayonnaise-based version was invented in Nashua, New Hampshire, by James E. Colburn in the 1910s.

What is house Italian dressing made of? ›

Italian Dressing Recipe Ingredients

Lemon juice and white wine vinegar – They make the dressing zesty and bright. Dijon mustard – For extra tang. Garlic – It adds sharp, savory depth of flavor. Honey – Don't skip it!

What is the most popular salad dressing in the world? ›

Most Famous Dressings in the World
  1. Ranch Dressing. The ranch is a salad dressing or dip made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onions, herbs (dill, parsley, chives, etc.), and spices (mustard seeds, black pepper, paprika, etc.) ...
  2. Fry Sauce. ...
  3. Chermoula. ...
  4. Blue Cheese Dressing. ...
  5. Thousand Island Dressing. ...
  6. Italian Dressing.

What is the number one salad dressing in America? ›

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

What is the oldest salad dressing? ›

The Babylonians used oil and vinegar for dressing greens nearly 2,000 years ago. Egyptians favored a salad dressed with oil, vinegar and Asian spices. Mayonnaise is said to have made its debut at a French Nobleman's table over 200 years ago.

What does garlic sauce contain? ›

A very simple garlic sauce can be made by adding crushed or minced garlic to strained yogurt, mayonnaise or sour cream. Lemon juice, salt, pepper and herbs such as dill can be used to impart additional flavour.

What's the difference between mayonnaise and dressing? ›

Salad dressing is made with the same basic ingredients as mayonnaise. However, it has more water by weight than oil. It is also sweeter than mayonnaise, usually with high fructose corn syrup.

What is a creamy dressing? ›

Salad dressings are typically grouped into two categories: creamy dressings or vinaigrette dressings. The creamy dressings use mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt as a base while the vinaigrette dressings use oils and vinegars or fruit juice and condiments or spices for a base.

What is the difference between creamy and classic Caesar dressing? ›

The classic version is oil based, vinaigrette style. I love a good vinaigrette, but I prefer my Caesar dressing to be creamy, so I use mayonnaise instead. Because the mayonnaise is already smooth and emulsified, it makes a wonderful base for creamy dressings.

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