GUILT FREE AVOCADO--RANCH SALAD DRESSING

Make sure you mix this up a day ahead of time, because (while you will be tempted to use it right away......don't!!). Something magical happens in the fridge overnight and the next day, all of the flavors will have blended and it becomes a wonderful salad dressing that you can use GUILT FREE!!

1 large ripe avocado (should be about a cup or so)
1/2  cup fat free  (good quality) PLAIN Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 to 1/2 skim milk (depending on how thick you like it)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder  (not onion salt)
2  healthy pinches dried thyme

Put everything in the food processor and blend until very smooth.
cover and CHILL OVER NIGHT.

This will stay vibrant green for 2 or 3 days (if it lasts that long) but will start to darken just a little on day 4 and 5.

I use 1/4 cup skim milk and it makes a pretty thick salad dressing like this:

 

If that is too thick for you, add a little more milk to thin it out.
NOTE: If this is just a little too fat-free for you, use olive oil instead of milk.

Enjoy !!

DAIRY FREE COLESLAW

There are a zillion coleslaw recipes on-line; there are creamy ones; there are spicy ones; there are slaws made with broccoli; I even saw one with Gorgonzola cheese the other day!! Personally, I have been looking for a basic, no frills, "please everyone" coleslaw recipe to make for large family gatherings.

In my search, I found this quick and easy "recipe gem" over at MGCC, and truly IS a keeper. Not only is it delicious, but there is no dairy in it and it lasts in the fridge for up to a week; as a matter of fact, it just keeps getting tastier and it goes well with everything!!

Thank you for sharing the recipe, Charlotte!!!

3 cups shredded cabbage
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1 carrot shredded
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons vinegar
3 tablespoons oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (my variation)
1/2 teaspoon celery seed (my variation)

How small you chop the veggies is a matter of personal preference. We prefer pieces about twice the size of a grain of rice and my food processor (using the steel blade) makes short work of this step.

In a small saucepan, mix the sugar, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper and celery seed and bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar has dissolved then remove from the heat.

Pour the hot dressing over the vegetables and mix well.  Let this cool a little before covering it and putting it in the fridge to chill until ready to serve. 
NOTE: Toss salad again, just before serving to distribute the dressing.

NOTE: This recipe make four generous side servings (adult size).  When I make it for a crowd, I quadruple the recipe.

SALAD DRESSING CLONE RECIPES

It is BBQ season, that is for sure and what goes better with grilled "anything", than a fresh green salad?!?  I've posted these salad dressings before, however, I've tweaked them again and this time I think they are perfect, well at least that is what picky-picky husband says.

Not only are they delicious, but they certainly save a lot of money and I  feel good knowing exactly what is in my salad dressing!!

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH CLONE

1 cup mayonnaise (low cal OK)
1 cup buttermilk (don't substitute)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (or 2 tsp. dried)
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder (not onion salt)
2 large pinches dried thyme

Whisk together and chill overnight before using.

NOTE: Don't use this dressing right after you make it; it will NOT taste like ranch dressing. Something magical happens to it after it sits overnight...trust me!!

*****

We like Light House brand Thousand Island salad dressing (in the refrigerated veggie section) but the price has increased to nearly $4.50 for a small jar, which is crazy.  The following recipe  is VERY close to the original, I hope you like it... picky-picky husband loves it.

LIGHT HOUSE THOUSAND ISLAND  CLONE

3/4 cup mayonnaise (low cal is OK)
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons finely minced celery
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Whisk everything together and refrigerate at least a couple of hours before using.

*****

This Catalina salad dressing is delicious, our grand kids love it. I can't believe how easy it is to make.

CATALINA SALAD DRESSING CLONE

1 cup vegetable oil (I used canola oil)

2/3 cup ketchup

1/2 cup vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)

1/2 teaspoon onion powder (not onion salt)

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

big pinch of paprika (not the spicy kind)

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup sugar

Place all ingredients in a blender (I used an immersion blender) and mix on high speed (salad dressing will really thicken up as you process it).

NOTE: Catalina needs a good whisk before using (if it has been in the fridge for a few days).

NOTE: All three of these salad dressings last an easy 10 days (or more) in the fridge.

PINEAPPLE WHIPPED CREAM DRESSING

When I was a kid, my mother, bless her heart, made (what she called) fruit salad on special occasions. Her idea of fruit salad was a can of drained fruit cocktail with a little Dream Whip stirred in; if it was a very special occasion, she added a banana. When I started cooking, a good fruit salad was one of the things I wanted to learn how to make.

The other day, Judy from Mennonite Girls Can Cook posted a simple little recipe for a fruit salad dressing that is exactly what I've been searching for (they have the greatest recipes over there). A cooked pineapple flavored whipped cream dressing that I just had to try.

1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream (+1/4 cup sugar - my tweak)

Beat the eggs until smooth, then stir in sugar and juices. Cook over medium heat until thickened (stirring constantly). Chill

Just before serving, whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form and fold it into the chilled pineapple mixture. Fold the dressing into the salad or serve on the side.

NOTE: The recipe, as written, is ALMOST on the verge of tart (for our tastes), so I added 1/4 cup of sugar to the whipping cream before I whipped it. The additional sugar produces a dressing that is ALMOST verging on sweet (definitely not too sweet). Here is my suggestion: When the cooked part of the dressing has chilled, taste it...if you like it, don't add any extra sugar and just fold it directly into the whipped cream.

If you would like the final dressing to be a little sweeter, add the extra sugar to the whipping cream before you whip it, then fold the two together. Does that make sense?

NOTE: This pineapple whipped cream is super light, fluffy and creamy, it would be great on just about anything (I plan on using it on pound cake). I also have plans for substituting orange juice for the pineapple juice and making an orange flavored whipped cream. TONS of possibilities here!