Salad Dressings

Shane and I like to make colorful salads. You may not know this about Shane, but he gets really giddy about creating certain things in the kitchen. Certain things being fruits and vegetables. He loves to chop and put things together and say, "How about some red peppers in that?" and "Should I add in some kiwi?"

The kitchen used to be the worst place for us to be together. We both insisted on doing things our own way. But this seems to be changing as our roles in the kitchen are more clearly defined. And when it comes to salads, if we are both helping, Shane's role is "chopper" and my role is "dresser-upper." The man will happily chop my vegetables while I make dressing. Isn't this fantastic?! There has been some serious culinary harmony lately.

While it's true that I can't watch him chop anything (because of his refusal to hold the knife properly and the inevitable anxiety of that)... you just really have to look for the gifts, people. And a husband who chops is most certainly a rare and valuable gift!

Now that I have given you two great marriage tips (rock your role, and look for the gifts)... without further ado, here are four basic salad dressings I like to make.


Balsamic Italian Vinaigrette
1 c + 2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 c + 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
9 drops liquid stevia
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp dry mustard
3 cloves garlic, minced


Celery Seed Dressing (from Anita Langholz)
3/4 c canola oil
1/4 c agave nectar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp celery seed
3 tbsp chopped onion
1/4 c lemon juice
dash of paprika


Ranch Dressing
1/4 c mayonnaise
1/4 c sour cream, buttermilk, or plain yogurt
1/8 c water (optional, depending on your desired consistency)
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp garlic salt
pepper to taste


Pesto Dressing
1/2 c pesto
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt
1/4-1/2 c water, to desired consistency
salt and pepper to taste


I really like this Tupperware salad dressing container. The measurements up the side make adding ingredients a quick process, and to mix all I have to do is shake it up. It doesn't leak, either.

No more soy. No more high fructose corn syrup or sugar. No more preservatives. It's so easy to make your own dressing and it tastes SO much better. When I don't have enough time to make dressing (not that it takes a whole lot of time), I just drizzle on some olive oil and cider vinegar, sprinkle some salt and pepper, and the salad is good to go.