Make Your Own Salad Dressing!
In 3 Minutes-Easy, Yummy, Cheap
Making salad dressing at home is one of the easiest things you can do in a kitchen and in many cases it is also less expensive as well. But even when the cost is the same in actual dollars, the homemade dressing is still better. When judging the frugal choice it is important to factor in quality and not just price. When I decide what to cook I either want a real cost savings or I want a much better product at the same price. Once in a while it is possible to get both.
Simple vinaigrettes generally cost less for a higher quality. Fancier creamy dressings may cost as much as the store bought kind when you add in the high cost of certain ingredients, but if you are a serious frugalista you likely already have a windowsill herb garden if not an entire kitchen garden.
Here are three simple salad dressings to try:
Garlic Vinaigrette
1 cup good olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 gloves garlic peeled and minced
1 tsp prepared mustard
a pinch salt
Place all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Place an immersion blender on the lowest setting with the whisk attachment. Whisk till the mixture emulsifies. It will look almost creamy. This will take less than a minute. Put in a pint jar and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using. This dressing will keep for several weeks.
Ranch Dressing
3 scallions
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tablespoon good olive oil 1 garlic clove minced ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup plain yogurt
½ cup buttermilk
1 pinch salt
freshly ground black pepper
Place all ingredients and whisk by hand or with an immersion blender till thoroughly blended.
Russian Dressing (sweet)
½ cup ketchup
½ cup mayonnaise
1 T prepared horseradish
1 T minced onion
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce a splash of vinegar
Mix together and use on salads or as a spread for a corned beef or Reuben sandwich.
There are hundreds of other simple inexpensive salad dressings you can whip up fresh in just a few minutes. So, if you have been relying on over-priced, over-preserved store bought dressings just stop– and find out how great a completely fresh salad can be!