Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Detroit's Legendary Maurice Salad Dressing

New York City has Macy's,
Chicago had Marshall Field's,
Here in Detroit, our Grand Dame of department stores was J.L. Hudson.


For over a century, the J.L. Hudson Department Store on Woodward Ave. was more than just a store--it was a Detroit icon and a world-class cultural treasure. At 25 stories, it was the world's tallest department store, and second largest (after Macy's in N.Y.C), and was at one time home to the most exceptional offerings in shopping, dining, services, and entertainment.



The store prided itself on stocking everything from grand pianos to spools of thread. In addition to departments offering fashionable clothing and home furnishings, the original Hudson's store featured an auditorium, a circulating library, a magnificent place called "Toytown", and the world's largest American Flag.
To read more about this magnificent department store, check out this book: Hudson's Detroit's Legendary Department Store.

Now this blog is not about shopping, it's about food. Hudson's downtown location housed many culinary retreats for hungry guests. The thirteenth floor was home to several restaurants, including The Pine Room, The Georgian Room, and The Early American Room, which later evolved into The Riverview Room. The store also offered a tearoom, snack bar, bakery, and fine wine shop, among other specialty food and dining venues.
Though Detroit's downtown gem closed in 1983, many of its culinary traditions have been passed on to its other Hudson's locations. Now under the Macy's name, and before that, Marshall Field's, Hudson's favorites continue to delight beyond Michigan.

One menu item from Hudson's, in particular, was the Maurice Salad. Who was Maurice? Some say he was a chef at Hudson's, where this salad made its debut, though no one knows for sure. While Maurice's identity may have faded into obscurity, his chef's salad with this lemony-mayo dressing remains the number-one seller in all of Macy's Michigan restaurants known as "The Lakeshore Grille". Bottles of this famous dressing can be purchased in all of Macy's Michigan locations, and now you can make this delicious dressing yourself!


Look for small bottles of onion juice in the spice section of many supermarkets. If it's not available, grate a piece of onion and squeeze the pulp through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer.


To make this wonderfully easy and tasty dressing, you'll need:

2 teas. white vinegar
1-1/2 teas. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1-1/2 teas. onion juice
1-1/2 teas. sugar
1-1/2 teas. Dijon mustard
1/4 teas. dry mustard
1 cup of mayonnaise (homemade or store-bought)
2 Tbls. chopped, fresh parsley
1 hard-cooked egg, finally diced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.


Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, onion juice, sugar, Dijon & dry mustard's in a bowl and whisk well to dissolve the sugar.

Now whisk in the mayonnaise, parsley and egg. Season with salt & pepper to taste.


Use this as a salad or sandwich dressing. Keep in the refrigerator for about 5 days.


Now if you'd like to make the official Maurice Salad, as served at Hudson's, in a large bowl, combine 1 lb each of cooked ham, turkey breast, and Swiss cheese all cut into thin julienned strips and 1/2 cup minced sweet pickles. Toss lightly, add the dressing and fold together. Shred one head of iceberg lettuce and arrange a bed of shredded lettuce on 4 salad plates. Top the meat & cheese mixture onto each bed of lettuce and garnish each salad with 2 pimento stuffed green olives, and a couple hard-cooked egg slices. Serve at once!

57 comments:

  1. Oh, how I miss Hudson's... While I'm thankful that Hudson's are now Macy's (for obvious reasons!), I do miss the glory days of the downtown Hudson's store. You are absolutely right.. the Maurice salad was a classic. Thanks for the recipe for the dressing!
    PS: Have you read the book you mentioned in your blog? I bought it not too long ago and LOVE the look back on the great Hudson's days!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kenn- yes I have that book. I too bought it a few years ago and love it. Since I was too young to experience the downtown Hudson's that book let's me enjoy it in a small way. I also bought a video from the Detroit Historical Museum called "The Hudson's Building" which I think you'd enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They still serve the Maurice at Southland Macy's.

      Delete
  3. Hudson's sounds like it was a wonderful place to shop and eat. Thank you for sharing it with us and for the dressing and salad recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I only recently heard that the wonderful Maurice
    Salad Dressing was still around and I got so excited, that I decided to see if I could find any information as to where I could purchase some. I am a native Detroiter,(Grosse Pointe) and I worked at Hudson's for many years, beginning in the College Shop as a high school and college student and upon graduation, I worked in the Fashion Division
    student and upon graduation, worked in the Fashion Division - Training Bureau.
    Every work day I had lunch with co-workers and we always had the
    ever famous Maurice Salad. There was nothing like it!

    I was sorry to see Hudsons go...in 1960 we moved to Atlanta and many other places afterward
    and after Hudsons left in 1983, I really lost all track of its takeover and thus I lost track of wonderful Maurice.....never thinking that the
    salad was now being served at Macy's. I am a terrible cook and would definitely not try to follow your recipe for the dressing. Am I able to buy it anywhere? I sure would stock up!
    Many thanks....

    A long ago past employee and lover of all J. L. Hudson Co. had to offer..

    J. D. May, The Villages, FL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Father, Milton Haney, worked the night shift at Hudson's in the 60's They tell me everyone knew his as "Haney". If anyone reading this post knew my Dad I would appreciate a response to this post

      Delete
    2. My late cousin was the manager there for years and her sister worked there, too. She says her sister created that dish. Email me? stacey @ SRMediaConsulting.com TYIA. :)

      Delete
  5. To J. D. May: The bottles of Maurice dressing are sold in Macy's stores in Metro-Detroit. They used to be sold on macys.com, but not sure if still there. I bet if you call up one of the stores in Metro-Detroit (Eastland, Lakeside, Somerset), I'm sure they can ship some to you. The recipe is very simple, try and give that a shot! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  6. As kids, we belonged to the Hudson's kids birthday club. Every year on our birthdays we got to go to Hudsons for a Maurice salad - the highlight of the year! I want to try to recreate this salad for my mom and this recipe sounds spot on. But parsley isn't listed in the ingredients. How much do I need and does it have to be fresh?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Christine, thank you for pointing that out. I guess I didn't proof-read very well! It's 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. If you want to use dried, cut that down to 2 teaspoons. I've also made the correction in the above recipe! Thank you again and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for sharing. I was so excited to find your page and how to make this salad that has so many holiday memories attached to it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just made Maurice salad for my family - something as a native Meeeechigander, I grew up on. The fam loved it - even our 9 y/o son, who is notoriously suspicious of new dishes. :)

    So glad to see the recipe out-and-about on the web - I have my mom's copy of it and figured it had slipped in to obscurity, otherwise. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have many fond memories of the J. L. Hudson downtown store from when I was a little girl. My mom loved the Maurice salad and the dressing in particular. I am delighted to have the recipe for both the salad and the dressing so that I can once again, enjoy those childhood memories even more.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Union Station on Woodward not far from Wayne State, has a really good Maurice Salad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Union Street, 4145 Woodward
      313.831.3965

      Delete
  12. As does Detroit Brewing Company just blocks from the Fox Theater.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Maurice salad at Hudson`s was AWESOME!! Both the Hudson`s Downtown store`s merchandise and the Hudson`s building were also AWESOME!! It was an extremely sad day for both Detroit and Michigan when Hudson decided to close that most beautiful store.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jennifer's Cafe (on Haggerty and Richardson in Walled Lake) has an awesome Maurice Salad too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tygart is supposed to be a neutral party but his lust for the scalp of
    icon Pacquiao has overcome his objectivity. By doing this,
    you are allowing yourself to get what you want as you
    want it. Be prepared to go on a series of good and bad
    dates before finding a potential mate.

    Here is my web site - The Tao of Badass

    ReplyDelete
  16. The benefit of having beautifully manicured nails at all
    times is a helpful incentive to stop the nail biting habit.
    Of course, just because the theory is well known does not mean its right.
    Quite a few nail biters will also continue biting and chewing their fingernails
    despite extreme damage and bleeding from the nail bed.


    Check out my page :: How to stop nail biting

    ReplyDelete
  17. My grandma worked for hudson's for 23 years in bed and bath. so I grew up a Hudson's kid. Spoiled to death, and I truely believe I dereived my fashion sense from Nana and Hudosn's. I remember easters and christmas' the most. The downtown store was like a wonderland as a child. I remember the Maurice Salad and the delicious Tuna Salad as well. But my favorites were a super moist yellow batter cake, with vanilla butter cream frosting in between what seemed like a thousand layers frosted in a hot fudge/chocolate icing--deeeeeeelish!(wish I could find one that even came close. Thinking about it, it may have been meant to compete with Saunders Bumpy Cake, equally delicious, but I preferred the Hudson's cake) and the fresh baked black bread my Nana used to bring home. Nothing like home, nothing like the level of service and quality; nothing like Hudson's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Dad worked Hudson's downtown in security and I remember the Christmas animation in the windows at Christmas as a child. My children say I walk down memory lane far to much but home is where the heart is and my heart is in Detroit. I lived between Southfield & Greenfield and 7 & 8 mile road on Asbury Park. We used to walk to Northland, shop at Hudson's & eat at Saunders...too much hot fudge sundays. I went to Henry Ford High and stopped at Kowalski's for penny candy...what a selection!!! I miss it so very much. God bless all of you who remember the best city to grow up in in the best state of the US.

      Delete
    2. I too lived on Asbury Park and walked to Northland to shop at Hudsons and eat at Saunders. My parents eventually moved to Livonia but as I got older I continued to shop at Hudsons and eat at Saunders but I also ate many a maurice salad at Hudsons. I am soooo happy to get the recipe!!!

      Janet

      Delete
    3. I have a cookbook with the Hudsons receipes.

      Delete
  18. It is fairly easy to fill your micro SD card up this way,
    as the files can tend to be quite large, so you will have to go in and delete old files on
    a regular basis if you use it often, but it is a small price to pay to
    be able to watch You - Tube on the tube. When you want
    to give the appearance that you have a lot of views for your
    video, buy Youtube views. When they are done with their
    events; the one thing that strikes their mind is You - Tube because
    they want others to be a part of the event and relish
    the memories.

    Here is my web site - youtube views and likes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Woah! I'm really loving the template/theme of this website. It's simple, yet effective.
    A lot of times it's tough to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and appearance. I must say that you've done a excellent job with this.
    Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Internet explorer.

    Outstanding Blog!

    Stop by my web page; diets that work

    ReplyDelete
  20. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back
    to your website? My blog is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would
    truly benefit from some of the information you present here.
    Please let me know if this okay with you. Regards!


    my weblog: Go Here

    ReplyDelete
  21. You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this
    topic to be actually one thing that I feel I would never
    understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely extensive for
    me. I'm looking ahead in your next put up, I'll try to get the hold
    of it!

    Also visit my blog post ... wealthwayonline.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. We served this at mama's wake--she loved it on this side of life. It was a big hit. Everyone was roaming around the viewing room muching on their salads--and lovin' it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are so cool! I do not think I've read through a single thing like this before. So nice to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that's needed on the web, someone with some originality!


    My weblog :: Abercrombie and Fitch

    ReplyDelete
  24. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.

    I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
    I'm quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    Feel free to visit my blog visit this link

    ReplyDelete
  25. You're so awesome! I don't suppose I have read through something like that before.
    So good to find someone with a few genuine thoughts on this subject.
    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website
    is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!


    Feel free to visit my web-site ... Tory Burch Flats - http://ngosummit.com/tory-burch-outlet.html -

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really
    enjoy reading your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover
    the same subjects? Thank you!

    my webpage ... Air Max

    ReplyDelete
  27. I blog often and I truly appreciate your content.

    Your article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your
    site and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

    my page :: Mulberry Outlet UK

    ReplyDelete
  28. Heya i'm for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really helpful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to provide one thing back and aid others like you aided me.

    my site: Officiel Louis Vuitton Site

    ReplyDelete
  29. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit
    and sources back to your webpage? My blog is in the
    very same niche as yours and my users would truly benefit from
    some of the information you provide here. Please let me know
    if this okay with you. Regards!

    Take a look at my blog - Nike Pas Cher

    ReplyDelete
  30. Informative article, exactly what I needed.

    my site: Borsa Gucci

    ReplyDelete
  31. When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks a lot!

    my blog post Wholesale Jerseys

    ReplyDelete
  32. In this moment I've found restoration of a glorious memory from childhood that I can now share with my daughter, as well as the loss of Maya Angelou...

    ReplyDelete
  33. We are introducing the Maurice Salad in all of our Grand Traverse Pie Company shops starting Sept 8-Jan 5th as a limited time offer. I was born in Detroit and grew up in Grosse Pointe and have many fond memories of Hudson's and the Maurice Salad. We hope our serving it will bring smiles to many.

    ReplyDelete
  34. My Mom & I used to take the train from Durand to Detroit & walk from the station to Hudson's--to shop & eat on the 13th floor. This was in the late 30's & 40's. It was quite an adventure for small town people! Maurice salad was my favorite. Later, when Hudson's had a store in Genesee Valley shopping center, the restaurant had Maurice salad--this was in the 80's & 90's-- & I was able to enjoy it again. What memories!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I lived just down the road from the Hudson building as a child. I remember going there at Christmas to see santa and to watch the animated characters in the windows at Christmas. And my mother and I used to go and she would have the salad and I would have a ham sandwich. I really miss those times.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Does anyone remember during the Christmas season when they converted one of the floors to a winter wonderland complete with merry go round and an area where kids could go gift shopping without their parent.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I sure do. Every child was esorted by a "Santa's Helper" who helped them select gifts in their budget. I once bought a comb for a bald cousin. LOL! I also remember having breakfast with Santa and Christmas Carol which was either at Hudsons or Crowley's

    ReplyDelete
  38. you have to have the acknowledgment of the friend request. You can easily follow any one but it could be hard to be recognized to be a friend in some cases. paid facebook followers

    ReplyDelete

  39. Many people invest their entire day on gathering sort and boosting their facebook follower adhering to but they can not improve the listing of folks without added assistance. purchase usa facebook likes

    ReplyDelete
  40. Important Suggestion to assist Garner More Reviews as well as Sterling Individual Scores. paid app store reviews

    ReplyDelete
  41. The most sought after online community site Twitter assists individuals to know about ongoing topics and events or social reactions of their favorite stars. Actresses and actors prefer for buying twitter followers as a method to increase fame in a shorter span. here you can buy twitter followers

    ReplyDelete
  42. To get a higher publicity to your facebook account, Persons expend bucks to Buy Facebook Followers to very easily find exposure online. followers

    ReplyDelete
  43. You could market your business by adding as several facebook likes as you can, as people constantly seek brand names and products that have lot of sort on facebook. buy usa likes

    ReplyDelete
  44. Do you know which stores in Michigan have restaurants? The Marshall Field State Street store is much like the Hudson's downtown that I remember and surely warrants a visit. It still operates several restaurants including the Walnut Room.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Boy oh boy do I remember Jl Hudson. To this day my mouth water when I think of
    Their salad. Worked a few years in their Troy store. But I loved when we would take the bus into Detroit to go to Hudsons. Happy memories. Thanks



    ReplyDelete
  46. We make the Maurice Salad using the recipe from Hudson's cookbook-as good as the original, sometimes we had a family member who lives near (Macy's) to bring a couple of bottles of the salad dressing, which I'm not sure if they still sell. Since we are now living out of state, it's good to know we can almost replicate that taste (and memory).

    ReplyDelete