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!
yummy!! can i move in with you?!?!
Problem is we only have one bathroom!!!!!!!!!!!! But lots of lettuce. LOL!!!