In today’s world when preparing a meal, almost any ingredient needed can be obtained from the shelves of a supermarket. In the 18th, 19th and the first part of the 20th century, this was impossible as grocery stores were few and far apart. During these periods almost every dish or condiment reaching the table had been homemade. Sometimes the cook used a recipe, sometimes created something original.

The stories behind these creations are now a part of culinary history. Let’s take a look at one of so many—Thousand Island Dressing. It was created for fresh salads but new uses were found over time. What would a Reuben sandwich, a juicy hamburger or a special party dip be without it?

There are two stories about the creation of this orange-y dressing. It is named for the Thousand Islands, a string of 1,864 islands between New York and Canada on the St. Lawrence River. Many are inhabited and a summer vacation site for the wealthy.

One story goes that around the turn of the 20th cent...