DRESSINGS

The secret of a salad lies in its dressing, when freshly made,provides a memorable flavor. The following are a few 
of my favorites. Fresh squeezed juices are the best!


CHIPOTLE-LIME VINAIGRETTE

1/3 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice(2-limes)
1-2 cloves garlic, grated
2 tsp pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
look for canned chiles(smoked dried jalapenos)
packed in adobo sauce in the mexican food section
2TBL honey(you can use splenda or omit if you want)
1/2tsp kosher salt
3/4 c canola oil
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro stems and leaves

mix together stream oil in add cilantro and pulse 
to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning 

We like to use this as dressing for salads, lettuce or
tortilla wraps with chicken and veggies

adapted from Cook's Illustrated


SPICY PEANUT DRESSING

1/2 cup canola oil
3TBL smooth peanut butter(I use whatever I have)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice 3-4 limes
2TBL water
3 cloves garlic grated
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
2TBL brown sugar(you can use splenda brown sugar)
1 1/2 tsp hot red pepper flakes
(I've left out the pepper flakes and added a jalapeno with
seeds and membrane removed depending on the heat you like.

combine in a blender till smooth. put in a container can be 
made ahead of time, whisk to recombine before using.

We use to put this on pasta and add chicken, broccoli, 
green onions and have it as salad.  I'm thinking about 
trying it with spaghetti squash. You could add cucumbers, carrots, green onions and cilantro, tossed with chicken 
and cilantro. Serve over salad greens
adapted from America's Test Kitchen


CAFE RIO DRESSINGS

Vinaigrette 
3 TBLS veg oil 
3 TBLS olive oil
1/4 c cilantro
2TBLS lime juice
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp sugar
2 TBL vinegar
1 small jalapeno(seeded and deveined depending on 
heat preference)

Mix in blender to combine.

CREAMY CILANTRO

1 PKG. ranch dressing 
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayo
2 tomatillos
2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 small jalapeno

Mix in blender till creamy.  If you don't have tomatillos
you can just leave them out.


A LIGHT POPPY SEED VINEGAR DRESSING

1/4 cup sugar (give or take on amount can substitute splenda)
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. cider vinegar
3/4 c. oil
1TBL. finely chopped or grated onion
1TBL poppy seeds

Put in bowl and whisk or shake in a jar.
Good with greens apples, pears, mandarin oranges, almonds 
or walnuts