Growing up in the generation I did, salad dressings were something you bought at the grocery off the shelf featuring the half dozen or so Kraft flavors that dominated the selections back in the day. As many of the commercially prepared, mass-marketed dressings today, in those days these ubiquitous dressings were built around franken oils and overly-processed, far from fresh ingredients.
To be honest, I can’t ever remember anyone making their own salad dressing at home, unless it was the homemade Catalina version based on a can of Campbell’s tomato soup, canola oil, vinegar, and a handful of sugar (gaaaack).
Even nearly three decades ago when we were starting our own family, making salad dressing at home wasn’t really on our radar, though as a young family we did enjoy the salads at an (in)famous Italian chain restaurant.
Back several years ago I was helping a friend prepare for a large birthday party event, at which the guest of honor had apparently insisted that the menu include a “salad just like at Olive Garden”. My friend was a fairly experienced and crafty home cook, and my task was to help her develop a dressing that would duplicate the flavors requested using healthier and fresh ingredients.
A bit of research and a day of trial and error yielded this recipe, which we’ve continued to reach for to this day. When we first compiled this recipe, we typically added a teaspoon or two of honey to the recipe, though as our tastes have evolved over the past couple of years, we don’t anymore, preferring to enjoy the herbal goodness of the fresh spices instead.
And for those who want their dressing a little creamier, just add your healthy mayo a tablespoon at a time until you have it just right.
5 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp avocado or olive oil mayonnaise
1 medium garlic clove, finely grated
Oregano: 1 tbsp + 1 tsp chopped fresh OR 1 and ½ tsp dried
Parsley: 1 tbsp + 1 tsp chopped fresh OR 1 and ½ tsp dried
Thyme: 1 tsp chopped fresh OR ¼ tsp dried
1 tsp onion powder
Good salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
½ cup avocado or extra virgin olive oil
Optional
1-2 tsp of sweetener of choice, see note
Combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl or lidded jar, stir or shake to combine. Now whisk in (or pour into shaker jar) the oil of choice until well emulsified; adjust spices, salt, and pepper to taste.
Enjoy.
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