Saturday Share Recipe: Salad Dressings

I've been trying to concoct a salad dressing recipe that was made by my mother's generation.

Mothers and grandmothers of decades past didn't buy bottles of salad dressing at the store. They made their own.

I want to do that because I want a salad dressing without the vegetable gums that are commonly found in commercially made salad dressings—and so many other products that it's mind boggling.

As it turns out, I have an allergic reaction to guar gum and other substances like that. 

Go Natural Means Homemade

Here are 3 homemade dressings that mimic the most popular salad dressings sold. If you want to try them all, just cut each recipe in half. 

If you find one you like, leave a comment and let me know which one worked for you.

Italian Dressing (Makes 1 quart.)

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1 and 1/2 cups olive oil

2 large cloves of garlic, crushed

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

* Optional: 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you like it hot and spicy

In a large jar with a well-fitting lid, combine all of the ingredients. Shake well. Place the lid on and store in the refrigerator.

French Dressing (Makes 2 cups.)

This is similar to Catalina Dressing. If you don't like a French dressing that sweet, use the lesser amount of sugar.

2/3 cup ketchup

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (amount according to your taste preference)

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

salt to taste

1 to 2 cloves of crushed garlic

2 tablespoons finely minced or grated onion

Combine all ingredients in a jar with a lid. Shake well. You can also throw this in a blender so the onion is completely disolved. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Ranch Dressing (Makes 2 cups.)

1 cup mayonnaise (try to get a good quality without a lot of chemical ingredients or make your own)

1 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions (just the tops)

2 teaspoons finely minced parsley

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

* Optional: 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Combine all ingredients in a jar. Shake well. Cover and refrigerate. 

Takeaway Truth

If you're trying to eat more naturally, salad dressings are a good skill to master.