Home Made Dressings

 Dressings are an important part of our repertoire as we eat salad on an almost daily basis. I could really almost be a vegetarian if it weren't for bacon :-) These are some tried and trues that we use. Being able to make your own lets you choose what ingredients you need, especially if you have a particular diet, such as sodium free, or like my husbands MSG free diet. Any and all sweeteners if called for are up to your discretion. Stevia is wonderful for those watching sugar intake. Write these down, and keep them in a safe place- when grocery stores are no longer affordable or supplied by shipping routes, a little comfort can go a long way. Most of the ingredients necessary in these recipes are common and can be stocked up on. Look for some good salad oils such as Expeller pressed safflower, olive oil, and the higher quality light oils (yes they are a bit more expensive). Our family chooses to avoid Canola oil as it can be very toxic to the nervous system. Having one child with Cerebral Palsy and emerging seizures, we aren't willing to take those risks.

Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix

1 t. carrot (grated chopped and dried)

1 t. bell pepper

3/4 t. lemon pepper

1/8 t. parsley 

1 t. salt

1/4 t. garlic

1/8 t. onion powder

2t. sugar

1/8t pepper

2t pectin 

Pinch of oregano

Add dry mix to 1/4c vinegar,  2/3 oil, 2T water in cruet or jar, shake well refrigerate.

Russian Dressing

1/3 c. Ketchup

2T. sugar (or honey)

2T. red wine vinegar

1/2 t. salt

3 T. grated onion

1t. worchestershire sauce

2-3 T olive oil or salad oil

Blend thouroughly. Refrigerate.

Honey French Dressing (my own recipe)

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup Miracle Whip

1/2 cup honey

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon salad oil (I use grape seed)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix all ingredients as listed in a small bowl, or in blender. If you prefer, try substituting fresh onion and garlic for the powdered, to taste.

Dry Packet Ranch Dressing Mix (Same as the mixes you buy at the store)

1/2 cup dry buttermilk (SACO Brand or bulk)

1 tablespoon dried parsley, crushed

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon dried onion flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Because this recipe doesn't have commercial thickeners in it use 1 1/2T of  mix to 1/2 cup milk and 1 c. mayo. To make it taste like the store bought and prepared mix that I remember, I only use Kraft Mayo, but use whatever you are used to using. I tried Hellmans and Best Foods, what my Gram used to use, but it just didn't do it for me. By trial and error, Kraft was the only one that held up to the test. I make this in a huge batch and use almost a whole container of dried buttermilk. Great because it doesn't have the MSG that the name brand does.

Catalina Dressing (Kraft copycat recipe)

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 dash paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

grated onion, to taste (I use 1/2 t. onion powder)

1/2 cup vinegar

2/3 cup ketchup

1 cup vegetable oil

Combine in blender or with egg beater and chill.

Raspberry Vinegrette

1/2c. oil

2T. honey

1T. (scant) dijon mustard

3T. red wine vinegar

1t. lime or lemon juice

1/2c. fresh or frozen raspberries

salt and pepper to taste

Combine and blend in blender or with stick blender. Refrigerate.

Strawberry Dressing -excellent seasonal dressing -NEW
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
3/4 cup safflower oil
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons poppy seed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sea salt

Blend and refrigerate.