I don't typically like store-bought ranch or thousand island; but I LOVE the Kraft French Light-done-right. Very creamy, tastes just like the original, too. One thing you might try though -- making your own thousand island! Use a small amount of Miracle Whip (light, not fat free - not much difference in calories, but all the world difference in taste), and mix in some ketchup (use dietetic if you want to cut sugar) until you get it the color of thousand island. Add pickle relish if you want. It's kinda tangy, very creamy, and not many calories if you don't slather it on! Good luck!
Easy parmesan pepper dressing: mix 1/2 cup fat-free sourcream, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup fat-free grated parmesan, 2 cloves garlic, 6 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1.5 tbsp ground black pepper. Refrigerate it for an hour for best flavor, though I usually skip this step. It makes 6 servings.
I mix equal parts of low fat yogurt and light sour cream. Then add ranch dressing mix to taste, mix well and let the flavors blend for a while. I do the same thing using just a bit of blue cheese. I would rather use less of this and have it taste better. I only use about a tablespoon for a big salad.
Honestly...I just use the normal stuff when I am eating a salad as a meal.. Most of the veggies I use are very low calorie, so why not have a salad that tastes good? I have a hard time finding light dressing that is rich and creamy and GOOD, because I mainly eat blue cheese or ranch dressings. I just make sure I measure a serving, and leave my lettuce a little wet after I wash it so the dressing goes further.
"Real" salad dressing is one of the things I miss the most. I think when I get to the maintenance stage, I wil figure out a way to include it.
I like Trader Joe's fat free balsamic vinegar dressing, the fat free ginger soy sesame dressing (they call that one Trader Ming's) and a low fat raspberry dressing. These three seem not to have that sort of chemical taste that a lot of the bottled dressings have.
Gailr42 - I *love* the balsamic vinegar dressing from Trader Joe's, too! It's fantastic, low calorie, and no fat. I highly recommend it with some fat free feta cheese that they sell there as well.
I mix fat-free sour cream, low-fat sour cream, and salsa (medium or hot). It tastes great and gives the salad a little kick. Salad sprtizers are also tasty - Asian silk, red wine vinegarette are my favorites.
Thanks for the recipes.
Happy New Year!
Oh I almost forgot another one of my favorites --- take a packet of low-sodium taco seasoning, and mix it (to taste) with low-fat ranch dressing. Tastes really good on a salad w/grilled chicken or shrimp!
Salad dressing
. I'll be giving it a try this month.
