Salad Dressings

Quick Vinaigrette 

2 Tbls olive oil

1 Tbls vinegar (any flavor you want)

salt and pepper to taste

add ins: optional

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

kinds of vinegar:

red wine vinegar

white balsamic vinegar

apple cider vinegar

flavored vinegar from specialty stores

VINAIGRETTE:

1 tsp Finley minced garlic

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1 1/2 TBls white wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 /4 tsp pepper

Mix all the vinaigrette in a mason jar, put a lid on and shake to mix.

Panzanella Salad

MAPLE SYRUP DRESSING
1/2 cup oil
4 TBls apple cider vinegar
3 TBls real maple syrup
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Mix all together in a Jar
goes really good with Mixed greens, diced apples, red onion, candied pecans, crumbled feta cheese or parmesan cheese, and dried cranberries.
OR
1 part maple syrup
1 part apple cider vinegar
1 part apple juice
3 parts oil (olive oil)
dash of dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Italian Dressing Mix

1 Tbls garlic powder

1 Tbls onion powder

1 Tbls white sugar

2 Tbls dried oregano

1 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

1 Tbls dried parsley

1/4 tsp celery salt

1/2 Tbls Kosher salt

Mix all ingredients together and put in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

To make the dressing, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup oil, 2 Tbls water, and 2 Tbls of Italian dressing mix. Shake up util blended.

ALTERNATIVE: To make the dressing zippy, replace the white vinegar with Pinot Grigio Italian Vinegar. So so good.

Homemade Greek Dressing

1/4 cup + 2 tsp olive oil

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt 

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/3 cup + 1 TBLS red wine vinegar (this gives it a great taste)

In a container mix first 8 ingredients. Pour in vinegar and whisk vigorously until blended. 

I put everything in a mason jar with a lid and shook vigorously until blended, then I stored it in the mason jar in the refrigerator. Yumm

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing YUMM!

1/2 cup Mayonaise

1/2 sour cream

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 tsp dried dill weed

1/2 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp dried chives

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp fine sea salt

1/8 tsp finely cracked pepper

Whisk together the mayo, sour cream and buttermilk. then add the herbs. 

Store in refrigerator. 

If you think you wont use all of it before it goes bad just cut the recipe in half. 

Mediterranean Salad Dressing

DRESSING

1/3 cup oil (I used canola oil)

1/8 cup White balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves minced

1 Tbls white sugar

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Put all the ingredients in a mason jar with a lid, shake until blended. Pour over salad and enjoy

Mediterranean Salad with Pasta 



Honey Mustard Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 TBls yellow mustard
2 TBls honey
1 TBls white vinegar
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and stir well to combine.



Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad dressing
3 TBls honey
1 1/2 TBls rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/8 tsp sesame oil

Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad

Big Mac Dressing

2 tbls full fat mayonnaise

2 tbls full fat sour cream or yogurt

2 tbls ketchup

2 tsp water

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tbls spicy pickle relish (or sweet)

1 tbls minced white onion

1 tsp sugar

dash of tabasco sauce or hot sauce

1/8 tsp salt, divided

Mix all together in a jar.

Cheeseburger Salad with Big Mac Dressing

Homemade French Dressing

1/2 cup of Ketchup

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1 cups of oil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 scant cup of sugar

Mix all the ingredients except sugar in large mason jar or blender. blend until mixed. gradually add the sugar shaking or blending until mixed. 

Really good French dressing. I made it into a cold pasta salad and added sauté zucchini and cooked corn on the cob. 

Cut the recipe in half if you don't think you will use all of it.  

Homemade Tartar Sauce

1/2 cup Helmans Mayonaise

1 TBLS minced yellow onion

2 TBLS sweet pickle relish

2 tsp minced dill pickle

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 TBLS minced parsley (optional or dried parsley, I didn't use any the first time I made this)

1/2-1 tsp dried dill. I just sprinkled it in until I liked the taste

Combine all ingredients in a small mason jar, refrigerate at least one hour before using.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Traditional Red Sauce

Olive oil

1 large white onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 stick salted butter

5 cans (28 ounce each) San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes (these tomatoes are from Italy, if you use a different brand, it will taste different. Usually found in the Italian section where you find Italian pasta)

2 Tbls pepper

2 tsp salt

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 cup red wine

In a large pot add olive oil to cover the bottom and add onions and garlic.  Cook on real low heat until soft. Be careful not to burn the garlic. That is why you cook it on slow.  If you tend to cook with the heat high, add onions and cook until soft, then add garlic at the end for 30 seconds.  

Burned garlic will ruin your sauce.

Next add butter to melt.

Then add cans of tomato and all the seasonings.  

Use an immersion blender and blend up the tomatoes and onion so there isn't anymore chunks.

Add the wine.

Cook in the pot for at least 2 hours or 2 1/2 hours. 

Stir every 15 minutes on simmer.  

You will see the sauce start to thicken and darken in color.

PRINTABLE RECIPE  

Quick Red Sauce

Olive oil

1/2 yellow onion diced fine

3-4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

1/2 TBLS black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

1/4 tsp dried thyme

28 ounces can whole peeled San Marzano tomato (tomatoes make a difference in taste)

1/4 cup red wine. medium sweet

1 large sprig of fresh basil. put it in at the beginning of cooking. 

Put the olive oil is a medium sized pot and add onions and garlic. Have the heat on low, very low. Don't rush this part. You don't want to burn the garlic or brown the onions. You want the onions and garlic to very slowly cook in the olive oil. around a good 20-30 minutes. If you are rushed for time, just add the onions and cook until soft, then add in the garlic for a couple of minuted on low. DON'T BURN the garlic. 

add all the seasonings and cook 1-2 minutes. 

Add the can of tomatoes and stir it around.

Add the wine. 

I like to mash and break up the tomatoes. 

I also prefer to blend the red sauce with an emersion blender, but if you don't have that, just mash it up.

Simmer on low for 30 minutes stirring every 10-15 minutes. 

You can cook it longer if you want. I cooked mine another 15 minutes. 

You can add it to pasta like this or add 1/4 lbs of cooked italian sausage. 

You also can add a large sprig of fresh basil if you have it while it is cooking. it adds sooo much flavor. 

If you can find crushed you can use that and avoid using the emersion blender. But I have a hard time finding crushed.

Easy to freeze. I put 32 ounces in 4 Tupperware. Leave space at top for it to expand. 

Hot Pepper Relish

Hot Pepper Relish

24 Jalapeno's (I replaced some of the jalapeno's for Serrano peppers because they are red and gave it a nice color)

3 medium onions

3 cups vinegar

2 cups water

2 Tbls sea salt

2 tsp cumin

2 Tbls sugar

Wash and cut off the stems of the jalapeno's.  Cut up jalapeno's and onions and put in food processor. Process to a fine chunks.

You can remove the seeds and membranes to make a milder relish. I left them in, it was hot but tolerable for me. 

Add peppers, onions, vinegar, water, salt, sum in and sugar to a large pot. 

Stir and bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Canning:  If you are going to can the relish, get your jars ready, fill them and process them for 10 minutes in a water bath.

If you want to decrease the heat you can add red bell peppers in place of some jalapeño's.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Chipotle Southwest Sauce Copy Cat Subway

I found this recipe on Copy Cat recipe from Todd Wilbur. It is a free recipe he lets people see.  I changed the fresh cilantro to dried cilantro because I didn't have fresh and it was a really good sauce. I doubled the recipe to make more and to fit in a squirt bottle. 

Chipotle Southwest Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp dried cilantro

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1/2 tsp water

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground chipotle chili powder

pinch of dried thyme

pinch of ground cumin

Combine everything in a bowl and transfer it to a squirt bottle or a mason jar.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

I used this sauce on a veggie taco. so so good. 

Italian Dressing Mix

Italian Dressing Mix

1 Tbls garlic powder

1 Tbls onion powder

1 Tbls white sugar

2 Tbls dried oregano

1 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

1 Tbls dried parsley

1/4 tsp celery salt

1/2 Tbls Kosher salt

Mix all ingredients together and put in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

To make the dressing, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup oil, 2 Tbls water, and 2 Tbls of Italian dressing mix. Shake up util blended.

ALTERNATIVE: To make the dressing zippy, replace the white vinegar with Pinot Grigio Italian Vinegar. So so good.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Habanero Sauce

Habanero Sauce

12 orange habanero chilies, stems removed

1/2 cup roughly chopped carrot

1/2 cup chopped onions

5 garlic cloves, unpeeled

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp sugar

In a dry pan at medium heat, roast your garlic with peel on, turning occasionally to toast and brown all sides of garlic. Remove from pan to cool. Peel when cool.

 In same pan, add carrots, onions, habanero, vinegar and water. bring to a simmer for 10-20 mins until carrots  soft.

Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth, even peel garlic, salt and sugar. 

Strain several times with a strainer, cheese cloth didn't work. 

Funnel into a bottle and seal, store in refrigerator. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Homemade Greek Dressing

Homemade Greek Dressing

1/4 cup + 2 tsp olive oil

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt 

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/3 cup + 1 TBLS red wine vinegar (this gives it a great taste)

In a container mix first 8 ingredients. Pour in vinegar and whisk vigorously until blended. 

I put everything in a mason jar with a lid and shook vigorously until blended, then I stored it in the mason jar in the refrigerator. Yumm

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing YUMM!

1/2 cup Mayonaise

1/2 sour cream

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 tsp dried dill weed

1/2 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp dried chives

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp fine sea salt

1/8 tsp finely cracked pepper

Whisk together the mayo, sour cream and buttermilk. then add the herbs. 

Store in refrigerator. 

If you think you wont use all of it before it goes bad just cut the recipe in half. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Homemade Big Mac Dressing

Homemade Big Mac Dressing

2 tbls full fat mayonnaise

2 tbls full fat sour cream or yogurt

2 tbls ketchup

2 tsp water

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tbls spicy pickle relish (or sweet)

1 tbls minced white onion

1 tsp sugar

dash of tabasco sauce or hot sauce

1/8 tsp salt

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, water, vinegar, relish, onion, sugar, tabasco, and salt. Put it in a jar and refrigerate until ready to use. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Cheeseburger Salad with Big Mac Dressing

I found this recipe online at can you stay for dinner.  It was so delicious.  If you don't like the salad then make the dressing and eat it on a regular salad like thousand island dressing.  It is so good. yum.

Cheeseburger Salad with Big Mac Dressing

2 tbls full fat mayonnaise

2 tbls full fat sour cream or yogurt

2 tbls ketchup

2 tsp water

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tbls spicy pickle relish (or sweet)

1 tbls minced white onion

1 tsp sugar

dash of tabasco sauce or hot sauce

1 tsp salt, divided

2 tsp olive oil

1 large sweet onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lbs lean ground beef

1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped

2 large ripe tomatoes, chopped

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

dill pickle slices, optional

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, water, vinegar, relish, onion, sugar, tabasco, and 1/8 tsp salt. set aside. 

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. 

Add the ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes. 

Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.  

Divide the romaine, tomatoes, and cheese evenly among four large bowls.  Divide the beef mixture evenly among the salads. Drizzle each serving with 2 tbls of the dressing.  Serve immediately. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Homemade French Dressing

Homemade French Dressing

1/2 cup of Ketchup

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1 cups of oil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 scant cup of sugar

Mix all the ingredients except sugar in large mason jar or blender. blend until mixed. gradually add the sugar shaking or blending until mixed. 

Really good French dressing. I made it into a cold pasta salad and added sauté zucchini and cooked corn on the cob. 

Cut the recipe in half if you don't think you will use all of it.  

PRINTABLE RECIPE

                                                

 cooked noodles and cooled them with cold water, sautéed zucchini and cooked corn. blended all together and added some dressing. Chilled in refrigerator until ready to eat.  Stir before eating. 

Hell Fire Hot Sauce

I got this recipe from www.bbqpitboys.com. Their recipe is called Independence Day Hell Fire Hot Sauce.  You can go here to see the video on how they make this: Recipe

Hell Fire Hot Sauce

20 Habaneros, halved and seeded

5 cloves of garlic, peeled

3 large jalapeños, halved and seeded

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup bottled lemon juice

1 TBLS molasses

1/2 TBLS paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1 TBLS hot pepper sauce

Place Habaneros, garlic and jalapeño on a pan with olive oil on the pan and on the veggies.

Put the pan on indirect heat on a charcoal grill for 20-30 mins. 

Check and stir every 10 minutes to make sure they don't burn.

Grill until slightly chard.

Add the grilled veggies with the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend it up until mixed. 

Put in a jar and use as a mopping sauce or table sauce. 

Keeps in the refrigerator for around a week.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

this is what mine looked like:

Better Than Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

RECIPE:

• 3 tablespoons sweet butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) box angel hair pasta

Start out by putting the butter, olive oil and garlic in a hot pan and cook for just a few minutes.  Don't burn the garlic. 

Then add the heavy cream and pepper. Bring to a simmer and stir at all times. 


PRINTABLE RECIPE

 Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer sauce for 8-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened and is smooth.

 When sauce has thickened add the Mozzarella cheese and stir until smooth. STIR FREQUENTLY.

 While the sauce cooks, boil noodles for 3-5 minutes.

 Place pasta on serving plates and spoon sauce over pasta.

I make the sauce a head of time and store it into a tupperware until i have to use it.  It saves on time.

This picture above is of Fettuccine with Asparagus, Ham & Mushrooms.
Click on this recipe below to use this alfredo sauce in.  It is very delicious and full of flavor.  

Fettuccine with Asparagus, Ham & Mushrooms 

This Picture above is of Chicken, Ham, Tomato and Zucchini Alfredo Lasagna 

Click on this recipe below to use this alfredo sauce in.  It is very delicious and full of flavor.  

Chicken, Ham, Tomato and Zucchini Alfredo Lasagna 

Ragu Sauce

This is a recipe for homemade Ragu or sauce for pasta or lasagna. Prepare to have 4 hours available, because the longer it cooks the better it tastes. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tbls Olive oil

1 lbs ground sirloin

1 lbs sweet italian sausage

3 cans (28 oz each) of crushed tomatoes with basil

1 cup red wine (I used 1 cup chicken stock because I don't drink wine)

salt and peper to taste 

fresh basil if you want to add at the end of cooking time for fresh flavor

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Get a really big pot that is tall and fry the onions in olive oil until soft.

add the garlic half way cooking just so the garlic doesn't get burned.

Add the beef and italian sausage to the onions.  Take your time to brown the meat, this will take some time but getting them brown and cooked down gives it flavor. Add salt and Pepper as the beef cooks. I use lots of pepper, not so much salt. You can add more at the end for flavor. 

Add the 3 cans of crushed tomatoes and the 1 cup wine/or chicken broth to the browned meat.

Cook the sauce for 2-3 hours.  I think I cooked mine for 3-3 1/2 hours and it was thick consistency. 

Add torn fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste. 

Now it is ready to use in any noodle dish. I made lasagna with mine. Picture below.

It is also really easy to freeze in small batches. Just put them in plastic containers, label and freeze. 

Lasagna