Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

Total Prep Time: less than 5 minutes
Yield: 10 or more servings

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp dried basil
1 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and shake to mix. Refrigerate.

Tips and Tricks
If you don't have red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar will work too. The oil may become solid in the refrigerator, so pull it out at room temperature before using.
Make It Healthier
Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Measure ingredients. Shake to mix. Older kids could probably make this entire recipe.

Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing

Prep/Total Time: 5 minutes = 30 minutes chilling
Yield: 12 servings

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks
I omitted the chives because I didn't have any. I also used light sour cream and reduced fat mayo and it still tastes very rich to me. Cut it with milk if it's too thick. This dressing also makes a great dip.
Make It Healthier
Use low-fat or light mayo and sour cream. Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Measure spices. Mix in bowl.

Catalina Salad Dressing

1 10 oz can tomato soup
6 oz water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbs mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Pour soup, water, vinegar, oil, and sauce into blender. Mix well. Add sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, and garlic powder. Blend on high speed for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.

Serve over green salad. Store leftovers in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Lemon Chive Dressing

Prep/Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1/4 cup

1/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon minced chives
dash salt

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine all ingredients; shake well. Serve over salad greens. Refrigerate leftover dressing.

Tips and Tricks
This recipe is a pared down version intended to serve one or two people. It can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger family. Chives can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. They are also one of the easiest herbs to grow, and a perennial, so they come back year after year. Grow them in a pot on your kitchen windowsill!
Make It Healthier
Omit the salt.
How Kids Can Help
Older kids could probably make this entire recipe. Younger kids can measure ingredients and shake dressing.

Nutrition Facts
2 tablespoons (calculated without greens) equals 17 calories, trace fat (0 g saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 90 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein
Diabetic Exchanges
free food

McDonalds Big Mac Sauce

This is a recipe for "special sauce." A great way to have yummy burgers at home without having to eat fast food.

Prep: 5 minutes

Yield: 3/4 cup

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons french dressing

4 teaspoons sweet pickle relish

1 tablespoon finely minced white onion

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well. Refrigerate for several hours. Stir sauce before using on hamburgers.

Tips and Tricks

If you don't keep relish, you can substitute finely chopped pickle.

Make It Healthier

Omit salt. Use light mayonnaise.

How Kids Can Help

Measure ingredients, stir in bowl.