Healthier Salad Dressings

I used to be a salad dressing freak!  If I was eating a salad, I didn't want to taste the veggies, I wanted to taste the dressing.  Well, since I've been trying to eat healthier, salad dressings from the store have been cut from my list.  I just cringe when I see some of th ingredients that are in them so,I have compiled a few of my favorite salad dressing recipes for you( and me) to refer back to.

I usually make one recipe a week, and switch it up so I don't get bored.

Mexican Vinagrette

3 Tbs red wine vinegar

2 Tbs avocado oil

2 tsp raw organic honey

1/8 tsp pink salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

dash hot sauce

Mix it in a jar, or salad shaker. Store in the fridge, and take out about 20 minutes before use.

Green Goddess Cilantro or Parsley  

1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 cloves garlic, crushed

3 Tbl fresh lemon juice

2 Tbl chopped cilantro or parsley

1 tsp Himalayan sea salt

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 Tbl pure maple syrup

Directions:

Place oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, mustard, and syrup in a blender or food processor, cover with lid.

Blend until smooth 

Refrigerate dressing if not using immediately.

If dressing solidifies when cold, hold at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Stir before serving.

Enjoy!

Protein Ranch 

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese

2 tbs 1% or 0% Greek yogurt

1 1/2 tbs (2 1/2 tbs if you want to use this as a dressing) low-fat milk, skim milk or unsweetened plain almond milk

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp pink salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp dried dill

1 1/2 tbs green onion, minced 

1 tbs fresh parsley, chopped

a pinch of black pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a blender, add in the first 7 ingredients (through dill) and blend away until the mixture is SUPER smooth.

Pour into whatever container you're going to keep your ranch in (it should last a good 5 days in the fridge). Stir in the minced green onion and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Yum!

Creamy Herb Dressing

Ingredients 

1 medium avocado

1 1/2 nonfat plain Greek yogurt

4 TBL finely chopped herbs

3 TBL lemon juice

1/4 tsp.  sea salt

1 dash pepper

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Place avocado, yogurt, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender; cover.  Blend until smooth.

2.  Continue blending avocado mixture, slowly adding the oil until well blended.

3. Store in the refirdgerator, tightly covered, until ready to use.

Honey Balsamic

1/4 cup avocado oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 Tbs raw organic honey or 1 packet of stevia

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp pink salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Place all ingredients in salad shaker cup and mix for 1 minute(or give to your kids to play with ;)

Store in the fridge.