Monday, November 12, 2012

Relish the Thought

Long ago (like about 30 years) and far away (in the Inland Empire of southern California) when I was but a wee child (in seventh grade) I had my first taste of THE most amazing dipping sauce ever. It happened on a “movie night”, a traditional fundraiser for our little parochial school, there in the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains.
Pinnable Loma Linda Sandwich Relish Dip

Movie night back then was a pretty big deal. Yes, children, this was long before we were able to watch movies on our phones or in the back of the minivan, long before the DVD vending machine and even before the VCR (or trendy Betamax)  was common in every household. The movies were actually rented for several hundred dollars and were reels of film delivered in a can (or two) played back on a temperamental dinosaur sort of contraption.

On fall and winter nights we watched such film greats as The Snowball Express, Apple Dumpling Gang, and My Fair Lady (with the volume obviously turned down during the swearing parts…I feel sorry for the poor sap that had to memorize each spot.) 

Loma Linda Foods Sandwich Relish & Morning Star Farms Vegetarian Corndogs

But the movies were never the main event. What you really came for, (besides sneaking outside with your friends) were the hand dipped (vegetarian) corndogs and the incredible dipping sauce served with them. You’ve never had anything like it. (Unless, of course, you’ve actually had it…)

After decades of yearning for this sauce my mom finally dug up the recipe for me. I haven’t been the same since. Once you try it you won’t be able to thoroughly enjoy a corndog again without it. Our current plan is to have the children make it regularly, bottle and sell it and put themselves through college.

Morning Star Farms Vegetarian Corndogs & Loma Linda Sandwich Relish

Loma Linda Foods Sandwich Relish

Circa 1983
Mix together and keep refrigerated:
  • 1 quart mayonnaise
  • 1 cup dill pickle relish
  • 1 cup celery, chopped super fine
  • 4 Tablespoons pimento, chopped fine
  • 4 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped fine – measure after chopping.
  • 3 or 4 green onions, chopped fine
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon  sweet basil, dried or fresh
  • Turmeric for color
These measurements yield about 2 quarts of the relish, if you need to make a huge amount let me know in the comments and I’ll send you the proper measurements.

This is also an excellent sandwich spread or vegetable dip. But the real memories flood in when you serve it with a Morning Star Farms “classic” vegetarian corndog.

I’d tell you how long it keeps, but we usually don’t have any hanging around… Yes, it’s that good.
I’m linking up with
Hip Homeschool Hop Button

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the recipe! Have you tried the MSF mini corn dogs? The boys love those, and of course, Trader Joe's Veggie Corn Dogs are wonderful. LYS!

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    1. We have tried the mini's. I was going to suggest that they would be a great appetizer for a get-together. We're going to try to stop in Trader Joe's next time we're in the big city -- they have several items that I enjoy, most especially the drinking chocolate ;0);0).

      LY2S

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, Sara. Can't wait to make it & eat it! :-)

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    1. You're welcome! Hopefully I can still get folks to come out for movie night now that the recipe is out there ;0)

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  3. Replies
    1. It's really good, Dru. I make a double recipe for movie night at church (for about 40) and we have to hold it back in the kitchen and serve it scoop by scoop for folks, otherwise they'd gobble it up!

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  4. I have to say I have never had a corndog before. I make something similar for fried shrimp :-)

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    1. I've never had a "real" corndog myself, Heather. My family is vegetarian but I'm a "flexitarian" and cross to the dark side for the occasional kosher beef hot dog, especially in the summertime. I honestly don't think I'd like a beef corndog. The vegetarian corndogs are a flavor all their own. ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I'm so glad you linked up with us at Hip Homeschool Moms today! I enjoyed you blog post. Now I'm going to have to try out your relish recipe. :) Reading it made my mouth water!

    Wendy

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Wendy. I posted an Instagram photo of the relish and was surprised at the number of folks I didn't know that said their mouths were watering too. Once you've tried it the flavor sure makes an impression.

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  6. Thanks for this recipe! I've made homemade corn dogs and I'm sure they will taste awesome-r with this recipe! I didn't know you had a blog! I will be following you, you always make me laugh! and that's in a good way... lol

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    1. I'm glad you found me, Tina! I'm happy to be of service any way I can -- even if it's just for comic relief.

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  7. Thank you for linking with Kids in the Kitchen - I've just shared this on google, fb, and twitter & I pinned it too (yup, I like it) our new linky is open!

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  8. This stuff is addictive. It's the one quart of mayonnaise that keeps me from just making it all of the time. I don't often have that much on hand. But I'm picking some up for next weekend...on veggies it's fabulous! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Lisa~

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Thanks for stopping by. It warms my heart that you would take the time to comment. Well... If you said something nice it warms my heart...

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