Salad Dressing

    This one really surprises me sometimes. People still have this concept that making your own salad dressing is difficult, but honestly, it is probably one of the easiest things in the world to do, that is, once you understand the ratio.

    Here’s the deal, most commercial salad dressing are 3 parts oil to one part acid (vinegar, lemon juice, etc). Depending on how you like your salad (personally I like it more sour) you can actually go to a one to one ratio.

    Here’s some of my favourite, easy, salad dressing recipes:

Basic Vinaigrette

- 1/2 tbsp olive oil

- 1/4-1/2 tbsp vinegar (try, white, apple cider, sherry)

- 1 garlic clove (crushed and chopped, or put through a garlic press)

- salt and pepper to taste (or chilli flakes)

Mix everything together (or put in a little jar and shake).

Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

- 1/2 tbsp olive oil

- 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard

Mix together with a fork, whisking until everything emulsifies (doesn’t separate)

Yogurt and Feta

• 1 tbsp yogurt

• about a spoonful of feta (just eye ball it)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove of garlic (minced or garlic pressed)

• pinch of oregano

• pinch of rosemary

• pinch of basil

Mix together mashing up the feta with your spoon. This one needs to sit for a little while so that the herbs soften up a bit (about half an hour is fine. This one is also a really good marinade for chicken, pork or lamb.

All are fairly simple, and most ingredients most people have around the home. So next time, instead of buying that bottle of salad dressing that will take you months to finish - think about just making some fresh as you need it.