RECIPE: Salad Dressings

The wonderful thing about dressings are they are very simple to make and you can't really mess them up. Both recipes below last about 5-7 days in the fridge. Store bought dressings have so much sugar, chemicals, and calories. But with just 5 ingredients you can make a wonderful delicious healthy dressing.

Vinaigrette Dressings:
1. Extra virgin olive oil (get the GOOD stuff)
2. Honey or Agave
3. Oranges (any citrus works - grapefruit, lemon, key lime)
4. Dijon mustard (this is what makes the dressing come together and be a bit creamy)
5. Aged balsamic vinegar (can use champagne or red wine vinegar as great alternatives)
6. Salt & white pepper (white pepper is good for delicate flavors like fish and dressings)

Mix (with a mini whisk, blender, or shake in mason jar) together 2 tablespoons of vinegar with the zest and juice of an orange. Add a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. (TIP: always season before adding the oil as the oil will eat it up and the salt won't be absorbed correctly). Add a tablespoon of oil.

This dressing is great for cooked vegetables too. Toss baked asparagus in the dressing. Add salt & pepper. Top with cured tomatoes and a couple toasted pine nuts.

Creamy Dressings: 
1. Greek Yogurt
2. Finely chopped cucumber--skin & seeds included (can use bell peppers as an alternative)
3. Dill (or green onions)
4. Parsley
5. Shallots (or red onion) diced finely
6. Lemons
7. Salt & Pepper

Mix together cup of Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup of the finely chopped cucumber. Add 1/4 cup of the chopped dill and 1/4 cup of chopped parsley. A teaspoon of finely chopped shallots. The zest and juice of two lemons. Season with salt & pepper. Whisk together. (don't use a blender with yogurt because it ruins the consistency).

Try dressing over sliced tomatoes seasoned, with salt and white pepper (pepper brings out the flavor in tomatoes), romaine lettuce, endive (or arugula or frisee - a bitter green), whole leaves of opal basil (adds color but can mix in parsley or cilantro instead). Salt & pepper before the dressing goes on. Toss in the dressing and serve with a lemon wedge.

Good to spread over fish or chicken before baking. 


More healthy dressing versions:
Caesar - Greek yogurt, roasted garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcester sauce & black pepper
Thousand Island - Greek yogurt, ketchup (sugar-free), chopped hard boiled egg whites, diced red peppers