Matt Preston's retro pantry ingredient for the best cheat's salad dressing

This is so nostalgic.

Matt Preston's retro pantry ingredient for the best cheat's salad dressing

A great salad isn’t complete without the perfect dressing, and Matt Preston’s secret ingredient takes it to the next level. Plus, you’ll have the ultimate taste of nostalgia with this flavour-bomb addition.

First things first, what is Matt Preston’s salad recipe?

Matt Preston and our Food Director Michelle Southan have added a twist to the tried and tested chicken Caesar salad, by creating a 20-minute Caesar salad version of san choy bau. Blending this classic salad with one of our favourite Chinese dishes, it’s the perfect protein-packed meal for a quick dinner on the go. 

But no salad is complete without the perfect dressing, and in this recipe, Matt revealed the unexpected pantry item he uses to get ultimate flavour. 

Matt Preston’s secret salad dressing ingredient

So, what is this mystery ingredient, and what makes it so good? The secret to the best salad dressing ever is actually none other than Maggi original seasoning liquid. Yes, Maggi. The brand that makes the deliciously nostalgic 2-minute noodles we know and love from childhood (and, let’s be honest, adulthood too).

Why Maggi seasoning liquid? Matt Preston says it adds “a bit of yum yum. It is almost the definition of umami”. The seasoning liquid offers an intense richness – the perfect savoury and salty blend – which will take your salad dressing to the next flavour dimension. 

While it’s the perfect addition to highlight the Asian flavours in the chicken Caesar san choy bau,  Matt says the use of old-school seasoning isn’t limited to this one recipe. It’s actually a great ingredient to create a deep savoury flavour in lots of meals. (Examples include our chicken salpicao noodle stir-fry and our green vegie and chicken chow mein recipes.)

Caesar salad san choy bau

Maggi seasoning: a nostalgic history

That little bottle of Maggi seasoning is a retro wonder, with a rich history that surprisingly spans back more than a century! Maggi originated in the late 19th century in Switzerland with the intention of making inexpensive yet delicious meals accessible to working families.

In 1886, the Maggi original seasoning liquid was born. According to the Maggi website, it was designed by “Julius Maggi to boost the meaty flavour of simple inexpensive dishes where meat was not always available”.

Fast forward 130 years, and Maggi seasoning remains a staple in our pantries today. I mean, were your grandparents really your grandparents if they didn’t have an out-of-date, sauce-covered bottle of Maggi seasoning at the back of the cupboard? 

So, what’s the secret to Maggi’s success? The original seasoning has been loved for generations all thanks to the flavour-enhancing properties of hydrolysed vegetable protein i.e. wheat – the seasoning’s main ingredient. It adds a deep umami richness to our meals that we can’t seem to get enough of. 

The perfect soy substitute

Maggi seasoning is also a great replacement for soy sauce, delivering a similar deep umami flavour. Even our members know it! One commented on the Caesar salad san choy bau recipe page, saying: “The Maggi seasoning you are using is brilliant as a soy replacement in sweet and sour pork. I am allergic to the protein in soy and discovered this life-saving ingredient some years back. You can’t tell the difference when used as a soy substitute.”

More of Matt Preston’s favourite cooking ingredients

Matt Preston consistently surprises us with his kitchen secrets. From his key ingredient for the perfect hummus through to his crazy twist on winter’s #1 pudding, he is always sharing creative hacks on how to level up your favourite dishes. 

Originally published as Matt Preston's retro pantry ingredient for the best cheat's salad dressing