I scream – you scream – we all scream for…

SALAD!

Salads are a staple around our kitchen – we eat a lot of greens. Spinach, kale, dandelion greens (when in the yard), Romaine, leaf – you name it we’ve made a salad with it. And, of course you can make a salad as boring or as interesting as you want. Tomatoes, cukes, scallions, onion, sweet peppers, olives, carrots, celery – the garden is your oyster! For me, what really makes the salad is the dressing. Salad without dressing is like a song without music. I gather dressing recipes and have tried many. A couple of “asides” – I never refrigerate dressings with oil; I make my own Tarragon vinegar; I use only Celtic sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper; I never use refined white sugar – NEVER; I use only good extra virgin olive oil (EVOO); and, I normally only make enough for 4-5 servings. Today, I am going to share four of my favorites – I hope you like them as much as we do.

Basic Mustard Vinaigrette

• 1 clove garlic, smashed or minced
• 2 T. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 6 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
• pinch of dried parsley
• pinch of dried thyme
• S&P to taste

In a clean, small jar: vinegar, garlic, mustard, and mix well. Slowly add the oil while whisking or stirring with a fork. Add the parsley and thyme, salt & pepper, taste and adjust seasonings.  Enjoy!

Simple Dressing with Onion

• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 1/3 cup sugar (I only use Stevia – two packets)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup EVOO

Place all ingredients in a small jar with lid and shake and serve! Enjoy!

Tarragon Dressing (this is an all-time favorite!)

• 1-1/3 cup EVOO
• 2/3 cup Tarragon vinegar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Mix, shake well, do not refrigerate. Enjoy!

Greek Salad Dressing

• 2/3 cup EVOO
• 2/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1-1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1-1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1-1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1-1/4 tsp pepper
• 1-1/4 tsp salt
• 1-1/4 tsp Dijon mustard

Mix everything BUT the vinegar, shake well, add vinegar, shake it up. Enjoy! Enough for 12 servings.

More dressings will be posted in the near future – right now I have my eye on and my taste buds salivating for a creamy lemon dressing I found today! Stay tuned!