Making your own salad dressing is a quick and easy way to be completely self-sufficient. These three recipes include universal classics and one interesting newcomer to the salad dressing scene. They are all fairly easy to create. Unlike most store-bought dressings, they are free of preservatives, so they’re better for you, even if they won’t last as long in the refrigerator. The fact that they taste great and that you mixed them by hand should make up for this though.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
This classic dressing works on most salads and pleases even the pickiest palettes.
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup EVOO
- 1 Tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tsp salt
- 1/2 Tsp pepper
- 2 Tsp Dijon mustard
This salad dressing is really easy to make, since you just place all of the ingredients into a jar and shake it (lidded, of course, you don’t want to make a mess) or stir it with a spoon. Once everything is mixed really well together, place the covered jar of dressing in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours. This recipe makes about one cup of dressing, which is around 6 to 8 normal sized servings.
Italian Dressing
Idea – if you make a larger amount of this tasty dressing, you can even use it as a marinade.
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup EVOO
- 1 Tbsp parsley
- 2 Tbsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp basil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp oregano
- 1 Tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tsp salt
- 1/2 Tsp pepper
Pour all of the ingredients into a glass jar. Put the lid on tightly, then shake the jar until everything is mixed together. (You can also do this with a spoon, just leave the lid off.) Place the jar – fully lidded – into the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. This makes about 1 cup of dressing, which is good for between 6 to 8 average sized servings.
Ginger and Sesame Dressing
For a taste of something a little different, try out this dressing that uses ginger and sesame. You might also find yourself using it as a glaze for your chicken.
- 1/3 cup EVOO
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 Tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tsp ground ginger
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
Like the other dressings, this one is shaken or stirred up until everything is properly mixed together. It makes around one cup of dressing, which divides into 6 or 8 standard servings. It also goes into the refrigerator for a few hours before it’s used.
Pic by Saaleha Bamjee
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