From Cleo Coyle: Since my husband and I write culinary crime fiction, we thought it might be fun to share the recipe we first heard about through one of the most acclaimed crime dramas ever to air on television. Crime and recipes? Perfect for this blog, right?!
And so we give you...
THE MYSTERY OF FRANCH
 |
Cleo has a partner in
crime-writing—her husband.
Learn about their books
|
A Note from Cleo
Culinary mashups are common now, but back in 2012, the idea of marrying French and Ranch dressings to create "Franch" was new to the world (and us).
Franch was first mentioned in a Fifth Season episode of the Emmy Award-winning crime drama Breaking Bad, after which fans and bloggers had a grand old time trying to create versions of this new idea for a dressing and dip.
Marc and I did the same, and we loved the results. Franch is a creamy buttermilk dressing with a wonderfully light and tangy zip. It's great on salads, of course, but also as a dressing for sandwiches and burgers. Because of its pretty color, Franch also makes a nice party dip for raw veggies, crackers, chicken nuggets, fries, onion rings, chips, and wings. Best of all, when you serve it, you can share its fun foodie backstory.
According to Huffpost, Breaking Bad's acclaimed creator, Vince Gilligan, came up with the idea of Franch twenty years before he'd launched Breaking Bad, when he was writing another script, a comedy. He admits he "cannibalized" his own culinary idea for the famous Franch episode, which was broadcast July 2012. The episode's official title was "Madrigal," and it was the 48th episode to air of the popular series.
To see the famous "Franch" scene, which involves a
German company's taste-testing dipping flavors
for American fast-food consumers, watch the video
in the window above.
German company's taste-testing dipping flavors
for American fast-food consumers, watch the video
in the window above.
If you don't see the window above,
view the clip on YouTube by clicking here.
As for the recipe itself, we give you two versions (below), the first is from scratch and the second is a shortcut version, using pre-made bottled dressings. With that culinary mystery solved, let's eat! ~ Cleo
VERSION 1 (Homemade)
Breaking Bad's Franch Dressing and Dip
This is our own homemade version of the Franch dressing and dip idea, first introduced to the world by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Try it on burgers, sandwiches, salads, or as a dip with chicken nuggets, wings, chips, raw veggies, crackers, fries, onion rings, or anything you'd typically pair with creamy ranch dressing. ~ Cleo
Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dry)
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dry)
1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dry)
3 whole scallions, minced (including the green part)
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon red hot sauce
½ teaspoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
2/3 cup mayonnaise (more or less) to thicken
Directions: Blend all of the ingredient, except the lime juice and mayonnaise. Add the lime juice and blend again. Adjust spices for taste, and then add mayonnaise, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, until the dressing reaches desired thickness. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Dressing will stay fresh for up to five days.
Criminally Easy
Franch Dip and Dressing
Cleo's Recipe Note: Although the original mention of this concept in Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad described it as "Half French dressing, half ranch," we found that ratio to be far too cloying. This is our version. It's a much better tasting Franch, and we think you'll agree. ~ Cleo
Ingredients
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dry)
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dry)
1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dry)
3 whole scallions, minced (including the green part)
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon red hot sauce
½ teaspoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
2/3 cup mayonnaise (more or less) to thicken
Directions: Blend all of the ingredient, except the lime juice and mayonnaise. Add the lime juice and blend again. Adjust spices for taste, and then add mayonnaise, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, until the dressing reaches desired thickness. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Dressing will stay fresh for up to five days.
VERSION 2 (Using Bottled)
Criminally Easy
Franch Dip and Dressing
Cleo's Recipe Note: Although the original mention of this concept in Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad described it as "Half French dressing, half ranch," we found that ratio to be far too cloying. This is our version. It's a much better tasting Franch, and we think you'll agree. ~ Cleo
Ingredients
2/3 cup of bottled Ranch Dressing
1/3 cup bottled French Dressing
Directions: Combine well and enjoy. Like the scratch version, this recipe works wonderfully as a salad dressing and makes an excellent dip for raw veggies, chicken nuggets, onion rings, and French fries. We even enjoy it as a sandwich spread, and it's quite tasty on hamburgers, too.
2/3 cup of bottled Ranch Dressing
1/3 cup bottled French Dressing
Directions: Combine well and enjoy. Like the scratch version, this recipe works wonderfully as a salad dressing and makes an excellent dip for raw veggies, chicken nuggets, onion rings, and French fries. We even enjoy it as a sandwich spread, and it's quite tasty on hamburgers, too.
 |
| Click for the free recipe PDF. |
Eat (and read) with joy!
Our 20th
Coffeehouse Mystery!
Bulletproof Barista
Pre-order now at:
Bulletproof Baristaincludes a killer menu
of delicious recipes!
Coming Soon
New Paperback Edition!
Learn more or pre-order at:
Includes a mini guideto honey varietiesand a wonderful menuof delicious recipes...
Click here or on the image abovefor Cleo Coyle's Free IllustratedRecipe Guide to Honey Roasted
Don't Miss Our New
Haunted Bookshop
Mystery...
Jack & Pen Together Again!
"AMAZING AND UNIQUE"
~ Fresh Fiction
"DELIGHTFUL" ~ Kirkus Reviews
To Buy:
The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling works
of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the
20 titles includes the added bonus of recipes.
Get a free Title Checklist of
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here or on the image below.
Our 20th
Coffeehouse Mystery!
Pre-order now at:
Bulletproof Barista
includes a killer menu
of delicious recipes!
of delicious recipes!
Coming Soon
New Paperback Edition!
Learn more or pre-order at:
Includes a mini guide
to honey varieties
and a wonderful menu
of delicious recipes...
Click here or on the image above
for Cleo Coyle's Free Illustrated
Recipe Guide to Honey Roasted
Haunted Bookshop
Mystery...
Jack & Pen
Together Again!
~ Fresh Fiction
"DELIGHTFUL" ~ Kirkus Reviews
To Buy:
The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling works
of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the
20 titles includes the added bonus of recipes.
of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the
20 titles includes the added bonus of recipes.
Cleo Coyle's Books in Order
Click here or on the image below.
