Quote:
Originally Posted by tdiprincess
I have been looking into making my own dressings, but I just don't have the time.
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Homemade dressings don't have to be time consuming. My most complicated salad dressing (which involves chopping scallion, red onion, cilantro, green pepper, and jalapeno) takes less than 10 minutes to make, but I'm too lazy to take 10 minutes every day, so when I make that one, I make enough to last a week (because it doesn't take but 5 seconds longer to make a week's worth than a salad's worth).
Choosing a bottled salad dressing takes me longer.
Most of my salad dressings (whether I'm making a batch to last a week or making just enough for one personal salad) take less than a minute, and the ones I use most often take about 20 seconds (maybe 30 seconds if you count the trip to the pantry).
To save time (and mess) I mix the salad dressing in tupperware style bowls (with leakproof snap on lids). Shaking mixes the dressing faster than whisking.
I bought a bunch of containers (you can find them in 2 to 4 ounce sizes in most stores that stell storage containers, even the dollar store), for making a single serving, especially before going out to eat (I slip the container into a ziploc bag for extra protection and then toss in my purse).
Or I'll mix the salad in a larger storage container, then after I mix the dressing, snap off the lid, add lettuce and veggies, snap the lid back on and shake again - it takes less time than tossing a salad with bottled dressing.
With some dressings you can even splash on the ingredients directly onto the lettuce, then snap on the lid and shake, tossing the salad and mixing the salad dressing at the same time. I don't like to do this though, because it only saves me 5 seconds, and some ingredients don't mix as well.
Here are some of my quickest salad dressings - Just pop the ingredients into a container (either a small one, or one big enough to put your salad in after you make the dressing), snap on the lid, and shake for about 5 to 10 seconds.
I've given single salad sizes, but after only a little practice, it becomes easier and easier to just eyeball the measurements, and make as much as you need. Most have only two or three ingredients, so it can take less than 10 seconds to make some of them.
Basic Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons vegetable or nut oil (walnut is awesome)
1-3 tablespoon vinegar or citrus juice (strong vinegars I use only 1 tablespoon and for milder vinegars and orange juice I use more vinegar)
pinch of sweetener, any kind (optional)
dash salt and pepper
Fruit vinaigrettes (I like raspberry)
add a pinch of flavored gelatin mix or drink mix to the basic vinaigrette
Creamy fruit dressing
add a pinch of flavored gelatin mix or drink mix to the basic vinaigrette to 2 tablespoons of light, fat-free or regular mayo, yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream (or combination of any)
Thousand Island Dressing
2 tablespoons mayo (any kind), yogurt, or sour cream
2 tsp ketchup
1 tsp sweet or dill relish
Asian Dressing
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
sprinkling from a packet of ramen noodles or 5-spice powder
pinch of sweetener (I use Splenda)
Ranch Dressing
2 tablespoons mayo, sour cream, or yogurt
2 tablespoons skim milk or fat free buttermilk
a couple pinches of ranch dressing mix from a packet (or a pinch each of garlic powder and dill)
Mexicali Ranch (great for taco salads)
2 tablespoons sour cream (or mix of may and sour cream)
2 tablespoons salsa
ranch powder (optional)
,
Aoli
2 tablespoons mayo
1/4 tsp granulated or minced garlic, fresh or dehydrated (if you use dried minced garlic you need to make it a few minutes ahead or the garlic will be crunchy)
Western french
Add 1 tablespoon of ketchup to the basic vinaigrette
sweeten to taste
Dijonaise
Add a squirt of dijon mustard to mayo, sour cream, or yogurt
Barbecue dressing or barbecue ranch
Add a squirt of barbecue sauce to mayo, sour cream, yogurt or ranch dressing.
Blue cheese
3 tablespoons of mayo, sour cream, yogurt, or ranch dressing
1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese
Awesome garlic caesar dressing
2 tablespoons oil (I like olive oil or walnut oil)
2 teaspoons mayo
1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated parmesan, romano, or asiago cheese
1/4 tsp viatnamese fish sauce
shake of pepper
pinch of sweetener (optional)
a pinch of garlic powder, or minced fresh or dried garlic - I use dehydrated dried - so I have to make it a few minutes ahead).