COOK SIMPLY

 By Susan MYKRANTZ

 May is National Salad Month. And what better way to celebrate with fresh greens of all kinds available. And if you want to grow your own, the seed racks are full of all kinds of varieties of greens, even premixed packets of seeds. Once you have put together that mix of greens, the next step is to kick it up a notch with a tasty salad dressing.

When you make your own salad dressing, you can control the level of sugar and salt in the dressing. An added benefit is the homemade dressings don’t have flavor enhancers and preservatives. This week Cook Simply features some of my favorite salad dressings. Enjoy and until next time, simply cook.

Red Italian Vinaigrette

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon minced onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a jar, cover tightly and shake vigorously. Chill. Makes 1 1/2 cup dressing

Celery Seed Dressing

Combine

1/2 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 grated onion

1 teaspoon celery seed

Add slowly

1 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup vinegar

 Mix all ingredients with a mixer.

Sweet and Sour Dressing

1 teaspoon lemon juice (can use more if desired)

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise

1/4 cup low fat yogurt

Celery seed to taste

Mix all ingredients in a jar, shake and chill to blend flavors

French Dressing

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon mustard

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice

3/4 cup salad oil

Mix together in a jar, cover tightly and shake well.

Thousand Island (My dad’s favorite)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon chopped olives

1 teaspoon minced chives

1 hard cooked egg, chopped

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Creamy Buttermilk Italian Dressing

9 tablespoons buttermilk

5 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon grated onion

1 clove garlic minced

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme or parsley

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of curry, optional

 In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, onion, salt and pepper, garlic, parsley and curry if desired. Mix well, chill to blend flavors.