Making salad dressings at home is an easy way to save money and eat healthier. Here are some simple salad dressing recipes to get you started. Using as few as four ingredients, you will learn how to make salad dressing in no time, and impress your friends and family at the next get-together. Keep (or make) a few different flavored vinegars on hand as they can be used either on their own or with a few extra ingredients to add a unique flavor to something as simple as a mixed green salad.
Salad Dressing Recipes: Raspberry Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp raspberry vinegar*
1 small clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp chopped fresh basil (or 1/2 tsp dried basil)
1/2 tsp poppy seeds
1/4 tsp grated lemon or orange zest
pinch of salt
Use a small saucepan to cook water, vinegar, garlic and cornstarch for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, combine oil, basil, poppy seeds, lemon zest and salt. Add the vinegar mixture in, stir well, cover and chill in the refrigerator for one hour or longer. This recipe makes about 1/2 cup of dressing.
How to Make Raspberry Vinegar:
Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries to 2 cups white wine vinegar or rice vinegar. Cover and let stand at room temperature for four days. Strain off the raspberries and bottle in a pretty glass bottle. This makes an excellent hostess gift during the summer as well.
Easy Salad Dressing Recipes: Yogurt with Grapefruit
1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 tbsp grapefruit juice
1 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Use a blender to combine yogurt, grapefruit juice, oil and seasonings. Blend on low for about thirty seconds. Serve immediately over mixed greens such as arugula, Belgian endive, Boston lettuce, mustard greens, or baby spinach. Experiment by adding fresh herbs such as basil, oregano or parsley. This recipe makes about 1/3 cup of dressing.
Easy Salad Dressing Recipes: Blue Cheese Salad Dressing with Yogurt
Another super easy salad dressing recipe that can be whipped up in a few minutes.
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 cup low-fat crumbled blue cheese
1 tbsp 2 percent milk
1 clov garlic, crushed
Use a blender or food processor to blend yogurt, blue cheese, milk and garlic. Place in a glass bottle, cover and refrigerate immediately. Use within 48 hours. This dressing also makes an excellent yogurt dip for vegetables. it makes 3/4 cup of dressing.