Homemade Salad Dressing.

  I suspect most of us are trying to improve our diets by eating more salad and raw vegetables.  I am but I'm still buying the same old salad dressings rather than making my own.  I think its because the last time I tried to make salad dressing, it came out oilier than I like.

Times have changed and the variety of oils and vinegar have increased so you have more options.  I prefer a very neutral oil such as avocado but a friend of mine uses walnut oil because it has omega-3 in it.  Or at least that is what he claims.

1. Chili-Lime dressing made of 4 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp each of honey and soy sauce, 1/3 cup olive or other oil, 1 finely minced clove of garlic, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp ground cumin, and salt to taste.  Mix in a jar.  Makes about 1 cup of dressing.

2. Honey Mustard dressing with equal parts honey, Dijon Mustard, apple cider vinegar, and oil.  Add in salt and pepper to taste.

3. Blue Cheese dressing with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt,  2  tbsp buttermilk, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup finely crumbled blue cheese all mixed together with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.

4. Sesame-Ginger dressing made of 1/3 cup oil, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar,  1 finely minced clove garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger.

5. Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette with 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup oil, 2 tsp Dijon mustard,  1 tbsp honey and salt and pepper to taste.

6. Raspberry Vinaigrette made with 2 cups frozen or fresh raspberries, 4tbsp oil, 1 tbsp honey, 4 tsp red wine vinegar, 4 tbsp water, 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard.  Salt and pepper to taste.

7. Cilantro Lime dressing.  Take 1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves and process with 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1/4 cup oil, and a bit of salt.

All of these are healthy for you with no artificial ingredients.  I've included a few types I really enjoy on my salad and went for those that are not as common.  Each of these uses easy to find ingredients so you don't have to wander all over town to find them.

If you don't like any of these but prefer main stream ones such as French, Italian, or Ranch, just a quick search and you'll find tons of possibilities.  Let me know what you like and feel free to share the recipe.