The third dressing really should be based on your knowledge of the preferred tastes of your guests, starting with your 85-year old mother.
If you don't have a good clue about your guests' preferences, maybe Thousand Island. The idea of provided some blue cheese on the side is very good.
You should also consider leaving a bottle of olive oil out as well as some lemon wedges. That gives the opportunity for some to go fat free or make their own lemon-oil dressing on the spot.
I've never been to an outdoor picnic/football tailgate type event where citrus (lemon, lime) wedges -- as food and cocktail condiments -- weren't appreciated.
At a minimum, one with dairy and one without. As Ranch and Italian are most popular in USA, you could go with those. Next 3 are blue cheese, 1000 island, Caesar. For safety reasons, avoid 1000 island and Caesar unless you can keep them cold (mayonnaise, raw egg).
TY- I was going to offer an Italian vinaigrette and ranch but want to offer at least a third but the party consists of 1/2 -28-30 yr olds and 1/2 -over the age of 60 ... I know, very odd- it’s a duel birthday party for 28 yr old daughter and surprise party for 85 yr old mother (daughters gram). I know it may sound stupid- but it is the first and only party my mother has ever been given and since I am the one giving it (with the help of my kids and husband) I want everyone to leave happy. It would bother me if there was more than a handful of guests that didn’t eat salad cause There wasn’t a dressing they liked. Don’t laugh! I know I can’t make everyone happy- I would offer 5 dressings if my husband wouldn’t yell in disgust and tell me I was doing to much so I limited it to 3. Lol. the younger 1/2 will likely use the first 2 choices- so do you think blue cheese is my best choice for a third???
Ah, Christine, more planning for the dual birthday party! Blue cheese is one of the most popular dressings, but it's also like cilantro - people either love it or hate it. One way to include it but not alienate people is to serve a bowl of blue cheese crumbles next to the Italian/vinaigrette. Then, thems as wants it can add to their salad, and thems as don't can avoid it. Another idea - if you're serving a fruit salad among your offerings, maybe include a honey lime dressing for that.
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If you don't have a good clue about your guests' preferences, maybe Thousand Island. The idea of provided some blue cheese on the side is very good.
You should also consider leaving a bottle of olive oil out as well as some lemon wedges. That gives the opportunity for some to go fat free or make their own lemon-oil dressing on the spot.
I've never been to an outdoor picnic/football tailgate type event where citrus (lemon, lime) wedges -- as food and cocktail condiments -- weren't appreciated.
Blue cheese is one of the most popular dressings, but it's also like cilantro - people either love it or hate it.
One way to include it but not alienate people is to serve a bowl of blue cheese crumbles next to the Italian/vinaigrette. Then, thems as wants it can add to their salad, and thems as don't can avoid it.
Another idea - if you're serving a fruit salad among your offerings, maybe include a honey lime dressing for that.