Easy Homemade Salad Dressing

I’m not a huge fan of store-bought salad dressings for three reasons:

• they are expensive relative to the list of ingredients
• they are typically full of unhealthy ingredients
• the general flavors are, technically speaking, “meh”

However, because of the trade-off in convenience and getting some greens in the meal, I still “go there” and buy premade dressing.  That said, I STILL prefer this easy, homemade version that’s an “eyeball” recipe. So take the measurements as a suggestion, not an absolute. (My friend Jessica showed me this technique ages ago, so thanks to her!)

Here’s what you need:

• 1 tsp. table Salt (NOT Kosher)
• ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper
• ¼ tsp. dry mustard (if you don’t have dried mustard, use ½ tsp prepared mustard)
• ¼ tsp. chili powder (optional, if you like a little kick to your dressing)
• 1 1/2 Tblspn Olive Oil
• Juice of 1 lime OR 2 Tblspn Vinegar

Place a large serving or Tablespoon on a bottom of a larger bowl, preferably the bowl you’ll use to serve your salad.  Pour the salt into the smallest hollow of the spoon.

Using a pepper mill, grind enough pepper so most of the salt is covered.

Place a dash of mustard and chili powder (if desired) on top of the pepper.

Slowly fill the spoon with the olive oil, stopping when the oil reaches the top of the spoon.

Use a fork to stir the oil in with the spoon’s ingredients. Don’t worry if it overflows into the bowl.

Add an additional spoonful of oil then dump into the bowl.

Use a fork to quickly whisk together the ingredients.  Make sure there are no lumps.

Add lime or vinegar and whisk together.  ONE NOTE: if you are using Balsamic Vinegar, also add a Tablespoon of water to the mix, otherwise the vinegar taste will be too overwhelming!

Whisk again before tossing in greens.

Throw in the greens, toss and serve immediately! Enjoy!!