Salad Dressing Recipes

• Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

This is an excellent garden salad dressing and pasta salad dressing. Also try it on grilled meats like shrimp, chicken or steak.This recipe makes a 16 serving size of dry mix and gives directions to make 5 seperate batches of dressing from the dry mix.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon celery salt

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a sealed covered bowl and use as needed as the base for italian dressings.

To make a batch of the dressing:
Mix 2 tablespoons of the dry mixture above in glass bowl with 1/4 cup white vinegar or balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar and 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons water. whisk or shake vigorously in a covered small bowl with a lid until thoroughly mixed. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 5 days. Shake salad dressing again just before serving. Option: add some parmesean cheese before serving.


• Sesame Tamari Vinaigrette

This is an excellent salad dressing on asian salads and meals. Also try it on grilled meats like shrimp, chicken or kabobs.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together with a whisk or shake vigerously in a small bowl with a lid until the honey is thoroughly mixed in. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 1 week. Shake salad dressing again just before serving.


• Russian Salad Dressing

Quick and easy russian dressing very good on top of a crisp salad of cucumbers or lettuce or tomatoes. It's particularly great on a corned beef, pastrami or reuben sandwich.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 teaspoons chopped capers
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon chopped pickle or relish

Directions:
Mix all ingredients with a whisk. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 5 days. Stir salad dressing again just before serving.


• Balsamic Vinaigrette

This balsamic salad dressing has only 37 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates per 2 tablespoons of dressing.The basil in this dressing is a good source of potassium and calcium.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processer until smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 1 week. Shake salad dressing again just before serving.


• French Salad Dressing

Fresh and full of tangy flavor this french salad dressing has only 38 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrate per 2 tablespoons of dressing.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup tomato juice (squeezed tomato or V8 juice)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cider or wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or strong imported mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 clove minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processer until smooth. Refrigerate dressing in a glass container up to 4 days. Shake salad dressing again just before serving.


• Orange Vinaigrette

This low fat Orange Juice Vinaigrette salad dressing is great for people watching their weight.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup orange juice or fresh squeezed orange
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a shakable jar until smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 4 days. Shake salad dressing again just before serving.


• Basil Herb Vinaigrette

This makes a great salad dressing drizzled over fresh tomatoe slices or cucumber slices.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp grain mustard (stone ground or grainy country style mustard)
2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp sugar
Salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except basil in a shakable jar until smooth. Just before serving chop basil and add to dressing and serve. Use immediately or refrigerate in glass container for up to 1 week. Shake salad dressing again just before serving.

• Using better ingredients will make your salad dressings taste better go for the extra virgin olive oil which has a cleaner taste than standard olive oil
• Try some other salad oils Various Types of Good Oils for Cooking
• When making salad dressing put all the ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously before serving.
• Experiment - try adding your own herbs to a basic mix of oil, vinegar and a little water. Make small batches and try different herb combinations.
• Good herbs for experimaenting are dill, oregano, garlic, pepper, basil, shallots, thyme, parsley and chives.
• If using fresh herbs you'll need to double the portions as fresh herbs are usually less potent than dried herbs
• To add tang to your salad dressing just add a little citrus juice from a lemon, lime, tangerine or an orange.
• Create your own signature salad dressing and share the recipe with friends
• After you have worked with the Italian Dressing dry mix recipe and experimented with it you can make it in bulk and share it with friends. Send a little gift bag of dry mix and make up a little recipe card with the liquid mixture directions.