Poppyseed Dressing

The summer is coming to an end so I have been craving the last bit of fresh summer goodness. I usually make this salad dressing for a traditional spinach and strawberry salad, but I used the mixed lettuce I had on hand, some last summer berries, goat cheese and walnuts. Refreshing and light -- exactly what I was looking for.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp. poppy seeds
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp. minced onion

Directions

• Combine dressing ingredients and mix well
• Serve over your favourite salad

Fresh Green Bean Salad

To balance out all the baking I've been doing, we've been eating a lot of salads. Each week, I enjoy going to the farmer's market outside my office and finding fresh veggies to make a new salad with. I stumbled on this recipe on www.allrecipes.com/ for a two bean salad with cherry tomatoes, feta and a balsamic dressing and we were not disappointed. Unlike the other salad dressings we've made, the balsamic was sweet. This will be a regular staple in our summer salad rotation.

Ingredients

• 
  
  1/2 pound green beans
• 
  
  1/2 pound yellow beans
• 
  
  12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 
  
  1/2 brick of feta cheese
• 
  
  2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 
  
  1 tsp olive oil
• 
  
  1 clove garlic, minced
• 
  
  salt and pepper to taste

Directions 

• 
  
  Mix together the balsamic, oil, garlic and salt and pepper
• 
  
  Clean, trim and cut beans into bite-sized pieces
• 
  
  Mix vegetables together in a medium-sized bowl with dressing
• Crumble feta cheese on top

Recipe adapted from www.allrecipes.com 

Light Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

In this sticky summer weather, I love a crisp, refreshing salad. And this salad dressing makes me want to eat nothing but salads and vegetables all summer long.


This dressing is light, with light flavours and really lets the salad shine through. I find it best with iceberg lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, but I know this would be great with anything. 


Ingredients

• 4 tbsp light oil (I used Crisco vegetable oil)
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 3 cloves finely chopped fresh garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

**you can make this recipe in any quantity, but note that the ratio is always four parts oil to one part vinegar

Directions

• Mix ingredients together and stir!

Perfect Salad Dressing

I love salad. We eat it all the time and often as a side for our dinners for a light alternative -- plus, it's the easiest side to make.

For Christmas, I got a salad dressing mixer along with my aunt's favourite recipe for a delicious, go-with-everything vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• pinch of sugar

Directions:

• Mix!

Our favourite salad is this dressing with mixed greens, craisins, pecans, goat cheese and sliced pear or apple. Fancy enough for company but easy to make for two. Mmm!