Monday, May 11, 2009

mmm... salady

Soup season is FINALLY over.  Hooray!  I love soup but I hate soup weather.

Here are three salad dressings that I make often:

Lemon Dressing

Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a liquid measuring cup.
Add twice as much olive oil.  (for example, if you get 2 oz lemon, add 4 oz olive oil)
Add one crushed garlic clove.
Salt and pepper.

Mix or shake well.  This is great over savory salads.  The one above has spring mix, green leaf lettuce, cucumbers, orange bell peppers, grated yellow carrot, tomato, sliced olives, bacon bits and pine nuts.  Artichoke hearts, chicken, cheese, or croutons are also great with this.

Sweet Dressing

1 T. Sugar (or agave nectar for a healthier lighter taste)
1 T. apple cider vinegar
2 T. canola oil
If you want to make a lot just keep the ratios the same.  Just think 1:1:2.  If you like it sweeter, add more sugar.

Mix or shake well.  This works well over salads with salads that have fruit.  My friend, Mo, makes this (thanks, Mo!  Sorry if I messed up your ratios) with spring mix, mandarin oranges or canned pears, and sliced almonds and that is how I fell in love with this dressing.  Today I had spring mix, apples, strawberries, blackberries and bacon bits.  I love lettuce, mango, chicken and candied almonds with this.  Think: leafy (romaine, red leaf, spinach, and/or spring mix), fruity (mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, strawberries, pears, and/or apples), protein-y (chicken, steak slices, parmesan cheese, and/or nuts), and your good.  

Asian Dressing

This one is for you, Michelle :).

2 T ground roasted white sesame seeds
2 T rice vinegar
2 T vegetable oil
1/2 t. sugar
1 T soy sauce
1-2 t mayonnaise (optional)

Mix well.  Easiest in a food processor.  Start with lettuce, spring mix, shredded cabbage or any combo of those.  Add contrasting color:  julienned daikon, julienned carrot, red peppers, and, uh, I can't think right now.  You get the picture.  Oh, deep fried wontons and saifun noodles, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, and, of course, lettuce taste great with this salad.  For a super simple salad julienne or grate carrots and top with this dressing.

Was that too hard to understand?  Let me know if you need me to clarify.

Also, I am in the search for the perfect ranch dressing.  I like certain restaurants but that isn't always an option.  The best stuff from the grocery store that I have found is Wild Coyote.  Made in St. George.  But is there an easy one to make? 


7 comments:

Malea said...

I'm giving you a big fat Rachel Ray-esque Yummo score! I'm excited to try the sweet dressing recipe. I love mixing fruit and meat; "protein-y". You cracketh me up.

Abbigail said...

You always make THE BEST salads, so I am pumped about this post. I am going to try some of them.

Kathryn said...

I love how you love food. You blog always features delicious dishes. How do you stay so trim and petite when you indulge in all that food? Give me your secret.

Amy said...

Hooray for warm weather! Hooray for salad season! Hooray for having this baby any minute so I can enjoy salads again (I strangely don't like veggies when I'm pregnant . . . weird). Hooray for you posting your favorite dressing recipes! I can't wait to try them.

Michelle said...

mmmm..thanks!! I will definitely try the other two also!

Hyeyoung said...

alyse had the recipe for the cafe rio ranch - it's one of my favorites. i love the jalapenos and cilantro in it. i also use the sweet poppy seed dressing (maybe from lissie?) a lot. i don't know the last time i actually bought salad dressing.

Courtney said...

I am glad for more recipes from you. You always inspire me.

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