The above mentioned things did all happen around the same time, and somehow, they've all blended together into a marvelous change in how I think about cooking and groceries.
First, I had lunch with a friend and we talked a lot about processed foods. In that conversation I realized how bad it made me feel that I almost daily drenched my spinach salad with ranch dressing. Not only was it fattening, but filled with all things unnatural. I decided that day to learn to make my own salad dressing, so I started by looking on line. There's tons out there, and it looked easy. But all of a sudden I remembered an old spinach salad recipe that I'd loved, especially the dressing. It had never occurred to me to use this dressing on any salad. I pulled it out and made some.
It was SO easy and SO delicious. I have NO desire for Ranch anymore. I look forward to eating salad as much as I do cake and cookies now! It's also made from ingredients that we always have on hand! You can use it with any lettuce, but it definitely compliments spinach well.
Here it is. I usually double it and keep it in a recycled soy sauce bottle.
Olive Oil and Garlic Salad Dressing
1/2 c. olive oil
2TB wine vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 small clove garlic (I usually break it in half to help the flavor out)
1/8 tsp. fresh pepper
Shake together and viola!
Scratch salad dressing off the grocery list! What's next? Stay tuned to find out!
I am following you from the cloth diapering board! I have a huge cloth diapering event coming soon, so check in and grab some early entries!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! There are lots of wonderful variations on the vinegar and oil dressing...you might switch out different vinegars. Try balsamic or apple cider vinegar. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of sugar when you are cooking with acids to counteract them a bit. A little sugar is much better for you than processed dressings any day!
ReplyDeleteOne other thing to look into is that of making your own mayonaisse. You would be surprised at how easy it is, and how wonderful it tastes. Epicurious has a recipe http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Homemade-Mayonnaise-241868
So then where ever mayonnaise is called for in a recipe you can make it fresh. You will be stunned at how it enhances your cooking!
Ciao Bella!
Found you from the blog hop over at Mama to 3 Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLove the salad dressing idea. I think I will be trying this one soon!
Do you have to crush the garlic?
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up, Amy!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this gets even weirder. I see under the Twitter on your sidebar that your middle initial is H. Is that your maiden name initial or your actual middle name - because my maiden name starts with an H and I often write it Amy H. Walker. (My middle initial is L.) I hope you don't think I'm stalking you - I am just getting a kick out of this. Growing up in the 60's and 70's, NO one had the name Amy much less my last name.