Salad Dressing, Does it make or break your salad?
I guess I got into making my own salad dressings from scratch after trying the South Beach Diet. I think right around that time, there were reports on the news about how bad high fructose corn syrup is for you. It seems that many salad dressings along the grocery aisle have this ingredient in them. Go check the labels, you will be amazed how this ingredient is in almost EVERYTHING. Part of the reason that doing things from scratch appeals to me is that I know exactly what is in it. Now I realize that many chefs are tired at the end of the day and don’t really have time or energy for extra effort on a Tuesday night. You could save this one for a Saturday afternoon project with the kids and just be sure to make enough for the up coming week. Clipping herbs in the summer that go directly into the salad is exactly what got my lil one excited about eating salad at the ripe age of 4. (I know I’m spoiled, she eats everything!)
Making your own homemade salad dressing is much like making your own anything in that it is a journey that can change as much or as little as you want. Follow a recipe to the letter? (only when baking or soaping!) The dressings that I usually make are with balsamic vinegar. Today I want to share one with you one that uses red wine vinegar and is superb with fresh herbs! Remember that follow following the recipe statement? As long as vinegar and oil ratio remains the same, you have some room to change things. Fresh herbs…You might not be like me in that your basement is half full of over wintering herbs! Use what you have or that you can find! You could easily substitute another herb or even use a couple of them at the same time! Don’t be afraid to experiment and taste…it is the spice of life.
Tarragon Dressing
6Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 teaspoons tarragon leaves or 1 Tablespoon fresh tarragon
1 clove of garlic, minced
Dash freshly ground pepper
Dash of cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Combine all ingredients in a jar. shake to mix well. Makes 1/2 cup.
Source: Soup, Salad, Sandwich Cookbook by June Turner and Naomi ArbitHappy Washing!
~Regina
2 Comments
gina's weight watcher recipes
I completely agree. I never buy salad dressing, I don’t like it. I always make my own!
Donna Maria @ Indie Business
Hi Regina: Thanks for sharing this great recipe! I’m gonna try it. Alas, no fresh tarragon, but they do have these little tubes of freshly harvested then preserved herbs in my grocery store. Gonna try that. Thanks also for the high fructose corn syrup reminder. Yikes!