Monday, April 4, 2011

Homemade Tartar Sauce



I'm playing a little game right now, it's called, "I'm Not Going Grocery Shopping Until I've Managed To Use Up Most of the Food That Is Already In My Freezer Or Pantry."

And it's taking FOREVER!

I guess I'm just in a spring cleaning mode right now, but I'm having an increasingly harder time buying food when I have a ton of food, just not food that fits in my meal planning. So that's what we've been eating lately. And while on occasion I don't mind whipping up a box of Hamburger Helper (just finished the last box, thank you!), I just don't think I can take many more freezer or boxed meals.



The bonus to having frozen salmon burgers for dinner, is at least it lends itself to something homemade, which is why I happily whipped up this fantastic tartar sauce. It was really easy to put together, and since I apparently have a ton of random food to use up, it didn't require an extra trip to the store either. This is one of those things that you want to make a day or two in advance with time, the flavors just get stronger and more delicious. We all loved this tartar sauce, it's so tangy and perfect for all of your seafood needs.



Homemade Tartar Sauce
Adapted from Food.com

Ingredients

1 cup lowfat mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped sweet onions (less if you're not big on onion flavor)
2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, or any preferred seasoning, seasoned salt would be good too
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 fresh garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon capers, chopped

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

2. It is best to make this about an hour before you plan to serve it so the flavors can blend.

32 comments:

  1. Teresa, maybe I'll play that game too! I really need to. I have so much stuff in this house that I need to get rid of. I love tartar sauce. This homemade version looks so great.yum!

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  2. I've been trying desperately to clean out my fridge and pantry too. Love that your tartar sauce has the old bay seasoning in it. I love that stuff.

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  3. Nice, I am somewhat trying to do the samething, sucks. I had not thought of adding Old Bay, I make it once in a blue moon the rest of the time I am lazy!

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  4. I don't want to even think about what might be hiding in my freezer...homemade tartar sauce is so much better than that stuff that comes in the jar.

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  5. I try and clear out my pantry all the time - it doesn't really work. I always imagine new and better dishes I could make if I only had ONE MORE INGREDIENT.... haha!

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  6. My favorite part of eating fish is the tartar sauce. I haven't had one with capers. What a great addition.

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  7. I need to do the same thing! I have too much food in my pantry and I just think I'm addicted to food shopping!

    I like your recipe for tarter sauce. I normally just mix mayo and sweet pickle relish - I'm going to try this one next!

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  8. I always make my own tartar sauce too. It's just amazing to me that people would actually buy the bottled stuff when it's so easy to make and the variations are endless. I like your addition of Old Bay.

    I really admire your goal. My husband wishes it would wear off on me (smile).
    Sam

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  9. I'm trying to do the same thing. But with just the two of us, it takes a LONG time.

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  10. Looks and sounds good to me. It always nice to be able to make your own sauces and condiments. It is so much less expensive than store bought. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  11. Teresa, this is such a simple and quick fix for when I don't have tartar sauce on hand! This will definitely come in handy. Thanks for sharing. You have a beautiful blog and I'm looking forward to exploring your recipes! :)

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  12. I love, love, love your plan for using stuff up before shopping!!! I just need to figure out how to do it;)

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  13. I need to play "clean out the freezer game". This tarter sauce sounds perfect... I love the additon of Old Bay.

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  14. I love this game! I also love making my own tarter sauce but I've never made any this fancy. Yum, this looks fantastic!

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  15. My fridge and freezer are both packed a the moment and desperately need to cleared out. Your recipe is great and I love Old Bay!

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  16. All I can think at the moment is that I have all of these things at home, and a lovely bit of fish.

    The question now is if I can make the sauce tonight and then wait two days for the flavour to perk up... I can, the reward will be worth it!

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  17. I really should do one of these challenges where I use up everything in my kitchen. Sigh. One of these days..

    This tartar sauce sounds so good! And I bet it can be used for all sorts of things!

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  18. I go through these cycles where I focus on using what's in my pantry and freezer too. It is amazing how many dishes can be created to what is only on hand. Your tartar sauce is a perfect example...Yours is better than anything that can be bought at the grocery store.

    The emptying of the pantry builds the excitement for grocery shopping :-)

    Velva

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  19. I'm doing exactly that now too as I'll be going on a holiday soon! This sounds so yummy!

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  20. I am actually not a fan of tartar sauce, but my husband loves it - thanks for the recipe!

    Thanks for asking about my husband - every day he gets a bit better! :D

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  21. LOL, I play that game from time to time, too. This tartar sauce sounds great...totally makes me want a fish sammich right now.

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  22. maann this looks good!!
    my boyfriend always makes his own "tartar sauce" by putting relish and mayo together. i've got to make this for him!!
    that's the ULTIMATE salmon burger... i'm drooling!

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  23. Old Bay Seasoning? I love that idea! This tartar sauce is very unusual and I bet it was fabulous with salmon cakes.
    My pantry needs sorting, badly, but my fridge and freezer are in pretty good shape.

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  24. We must all be spring cleaning the cupboards. I'm doing the same thing!
    I like that you made your own tarter sauce. I hate to buy it, we never seem to use the whole bottle.

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  25. Your tartar sauce sounds delicious, Teresa. And good for you, for using up the food you've got. Our big freezer died yesterday (or at least, I discovered it yesterday :o) so we ended up throwing out a bunch of stuff. I guess that's one way to clean out the freezer! But I was glad we've been diligent about eating from the freezer all winter. I didn't lose much that broke my heart. Half-used bags of French fries, I can do without ;) Keep up the good work, you'll see the bottom of your pantry shelves soon.

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  26. I am trying to do the same! I have tons of 'winter' food like canned pumpkin that I need to use. Your tartar sauce looks delicious - love the Old Bay in it.

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  27. I have never put Old Bay in my tartar sauce and have no idea why, because it must be perfect for my tastes.

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  28. What a fun game! Oh the strange things I could come up with...

    I love tartar sauce and I don't like fish. I love going to seafood restaurants so that I can order tartar sauce for my chicken, fries, whatever else I find to dip in it. Can't believe I never thought of making it at home. Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Love this sauce specially with fish fingers and chicken nuggets.
    First time on your space...
    Do visit my blogs some time.

    http://foodmazaa.blogspot.

    http://soupforoursoul.blogspot.com

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  30. Love that burger. I am also trying to do spring cleaning, both fridge, freezer and house but it seems endless! Maybe I must make a burger and enjoy it first :D I love salmon burger. Maybe I can still find some in my freezer :P Have fun cleaning :D MaryMoh at http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com

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  31. I have been trying to clean out the freezer forever. But I did notice just yesterday that it is finally starting to look a little bare. But I am NOT putting anything in the freezer until I can see most of the bottom!

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Hey, thanks so much for stopping by. I'd love to hear what you think!