There are so many delicious, colorful lettuces in the spring for wonderful salads. I love these dressings because they are not overpowering. I like to mix my dressings in a jar with a screw-on top. It’s easy to mix up the ingredients well just by shaking. Put some dressing on the bottom of a salad bowl, add the greens, and toss. Add more dressing to taste.
SERVES 8
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
This is my go-to dressing. I use it as the base of every dressing I make. It has a fresh taste and is cleansing to the body.
| 1 | cup lemon juice |
| ½ | cup olive oil |
| 1 | tablespoon white wine vinegar |
Put all the ingredients in an old jar with a cover and shake. Then add garlic, shallots, or anything else you like—this is a base to go anyway you like.
SERVES 8
TOTAL TIME: 3 MINUTES
This vinaigrette is another great base. You can add chopped shallots, garlic, and herbs in any combination. You can whip this up so quickly there is no need to buy prepared dressings. Experiment and have fun with it.
| ¼ | cup Dijon mustard |
| ½ | cup red wine vinegar |
| 1½ | cups olive oil |
| Sea salt and pepper. |
In a blender, mix mustard and vinegar until thoroughly combined, then slowly add the olive oil. I like my dressing sharp, so I might use only 1 cup of oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
SERVES 4
TOTAL TIME: 6 MINUTES
This dressing spices up any salad and adds texture.
| 1 | tomato, grated |
| 3 | tablespoons olive oil |
| 1 | tablespoon red wine vinegar |
| ½ | teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano |
| ½ | teaspoon sea salt |
| ¼ | teaspoon freshly ground pepper |
Shake together all ingredients in a glass jar with the lid firmly on.
SERVES 4
TOTAL TIME: 10 MINUTES
This is a great citrus vinaigrette with the added crunch of poppy seeds.
| 3 | tablespoons fresh lime juice |
| 3 | tablespoons fresh orange juice |
| 2 | tablespoons grapefruit juice |
| 1 | teaspoon Dijon mustard |
| 1 | teaspoon Vegenaise |
|
cup plus 1 tablespoon canola oil |
| 1½ | teaspoons poppy seeds |
| Sea salt and freshly ground pepper |
In a bowl, whisk the lime, orange, and grapefruit juices with the mustard and Vegenaise. Slowly whisk in the oil until the dressing is creamy. Stir in the poppy seeds, season with sea salt and pepper, and serve.
