Salad Dressing

2

Replies

  • maygans
    maygans Posts: 196 Member
    I just add cottage cheese to my salad, and then a lower amount of ranch. Today my salad had 1/4c fat free cottage cheese and 1/2 tbsp of ranch dressing, and then I mix it all up. I like the curds in the salad and it moistens it well...and the ranch gives it flavor. I have no idea when I started doing this but it's my favorite way to have a salad! It's also a good way to get some more protein!
  • MoooveOverFluffy
    MoooveOverFluffy Posts: 398 Member
    GOOD AND CHEAP!

    in a pint sized mason jar i mix and shake:

    3 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
    9 TBSP. raspberry-balsamic vinegar
    1 TBSP. dijon mustard
    1/2 tsp. onion powder
    1/4 tsp. dried oregano
    cracked black pepper

    there are a bajillion variations on viniagrettes, just remember the 3:1 ratio of vinegar to oil.
  • ts1122
    ts1122 Posts: 99 Member
    There are some good options in here! I am a ranch person also but I have recently become a fan of Wishbone's fat free zesty italian which I use on my chicken salads. I will have to try some of these suggestions though!
  • ajh1014
    ajh1014 Posts: 80 Member
    My own Raspberry Vinaigrette -
    1 jar of Smuckers Sugar Free Raspberry Preserves - empty into a small mixing bowl.
    Red wine vinegar to fill up the Preserves jar - so you have equal parts
    1/2 c Splenda or to taste. I like mine a little sweeter
    Onion Flakes
    Small dash of Garlic Powder
    1 t dried mustard if you have it. Sometimes I leave it out.

    Wisk together. Only about 22 calories for 2 TBS and a little goes a long way with this one!
  • Time2LoseWeightNOW
    Time2LoseWeightNOW Posts: 1,730 Member
    @ Ranch Addict, myself... we were just wondering the other day what we ate before Ranch came out, I think it was Thousand Island, I don't like it now, though.
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    If you like ranch, Bolthouse Farms makes a yougart ranch for just 45 cal per serving!! It is found by the bagged lettuce in the produce area of the grocery store.
  • azrose81
    azrose81 Posts: 37 Member
    Bolthouse Farm is the best dressing!!! Most of the dressings have 35 to 45 calories in 2 tablespoons! But the dressing is so thick you only need one! They are so yummy!
  • aliceng
    aliceng Posts: 1
    Salad dressing is one of my favorite subjects to talk about with my patients. I was working with a cardiologist one day and he had me translating, came to find a great idea!
    He suggested to his patient to keep her dressing seperate from her salad. Pour the dressing into a small bowl or small dish so that each time you go to fork your salad...you "fork" your dressing first. Essentially you dip your fork into your dressing before you fork your salad. This way your salad is not smothered with dressing and you get a little taste of it with every bite of your salad without getting the feel of too much dressing. You'll find you'll use less dressing giving you less calories. :flowerforyou:
    Enjoy!!
    -A.
  • DivaDiane
    DivaDiane Posts: 73
    This is my favorite Italian dressing:

    Italian Salad Dressing

    ½ cup extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp. oregano
    ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½ tsp. dry mustard
    ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. paprika
    1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. thyme
    1 tsp. sugar 1 clove minced garlic

    All ingredients may be adjusted to taste. Whisk all ingredients together. Refrigerate 1 hour to blend flavors. Bring to room temperature to liquefy olive oil and whisk before serving.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    I've switched to using salsa =]

    THIS!

    I make a fresh pineapple salsa that is DELICIOUS over salad. With all the chunky-ness of slasa there's little need to add anything else to the salad (except cheese of course, a good salad must have a little cheese lol)

    Makes about 20 half cup servings.

    Cucumber - Peeled, raw, 2 cup, pared, chopped
    Peppers - Jalapeno, raw, 4 pepper
    Onions - Raw, 0.67 cup, chopped
    Walmart Great Value - Light Brown Sugar, 6 tsp (4g)
    Fresh Raw (Nutritiondata.Com) - Cilantro, 1 oz
    Dole - Fresh-Cut Pineapple, 16 oz.
    Kroger - Roma Tomato- Medium, 6 medium (4 oz.)

    Per Serving: 32calories 7carbs 1protein 1fat 6sugars 3sodium

    And for the love of God, DO use gloves when handling the jalapenos and DO remove the seeds. If you don't remove the seeds you'll set your lips on fire!
  • raystark
    raystark Posts: 403 Member
    Google Walden Farms Dressings

    I am a big fan of their calorie free dressings, including regular and chipolte ranch.
  • Ranch is my favorite dressing and I have just the recipe for you!!!! Trust me, it's DELISH! It may not sound it but it is!

    1 cup cottage cheese
    4 tsp of the ranch dressing packet
    1/4 cup water (you can use milk if you want) I never needed to!
    Blend it until it is completely smooth, you can add more liquid if its too thick. That's it! You get to have a whole 1/4 cup of it for only 50-55 calories depending on what cottage cheese you use. It will also be a little bit more if you use milk!

    I did not believe this recipe was going to be any good. Sure enough, it's the closest HEALTHY to REGULAR tasting ranch I have ever had!!!

    This sounds soo good!
  • suerun11
    suerun11 Posts: 136 Member
    Yes,Walden Farms dressings, dips and syrups are amazing! Zero carbs and calories too! They sell is at Sprouts. Stores.
  • suerun11
    suerun11 Posts: 136 Member
    Lemon juice is pretty tasty too!
  • Check out this website. The dressings are delicious - ZERO calories. No aspartame but they do use Splenda. Some grocery stores and Walmarts carry the brand too.

    http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html
  • radradradradrad
    radradradradrad Posts: 101 Member
    Olde Cape Cod Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette

    this on a bed of spring mix with:
    cherry tomatoes
    cucumber slices
    baby carrots
    sliced strawberries
    goat cheese
    almonds

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
  • ThatDollSally
    ThatDollSally Posts: 473 Member
    I like a nice vinaigrette, flavored or not. Firehouse subs has a good raspberry vinaigrette, but I'm not sure what brand it is.
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    Tanya,
    look for the yogurt based dressings, they are generally refrigerated and are in the produce section. The ranch has 45 cals for 2 tbsp, and it's pretty tasty.
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    Yes,Walden Farms dressings, dips and syrups are amazing! Zero carbs and calories too! They sell is at Sprouts. Stores.

    What you said!
  • ahealthy4u
    ahealthy4u Posts: 442 Member
    I like Ken's Steak house Dressing but during the garden season I try and make my own
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member


    The one store bought dressing I like is Girard's greek with feta. It's an oil and vinegar base, with a lot of seasoning in it. It's a strong taste, so a little goes a very long way.

    I've tried several by Girards and they are all very tasty!
  • kantone999
    kantone999 Posts: 174
    I eat whatever dressing I'm in the mood for. Instead of putting it on your salad, order it on the side. Dip your fork into the dressing and then spear the salad vaggies. You'll be amazed at how you still get the full flavor but only about 1 tablespoon for a HUGE salad as opposed to an ocean of dressing.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    i la la love fat free ranch by market pantry (target)! BUT right now I'm not eating that stuff..... sooo... i also love salsa on my salads in place of dressing..... AND I just tried kraft light balsamic vinaigrette -- so yum! Also love newman's own light honey mustard!! .... and kraft free asian toasted sesame -- YUM

    sw 303.4 (1/1/11)
    cw 194.8 (down 108.6lbs)
    gw 160
    29 y/o 5'6''
  • jessilynn1982
    jessilynn1982 Posts: 48 Member
    Bolthouse Farms dressings are THE BEST. Their ranch is delicious, and only 45 calories for 2tbsp. It's made with yogurt, and has less sugar than many other dressings...highly recommended!!!! They have a few other flavors as well, but I prefer the creamier dressings myself!! :smile:

    I also LOVE the Bolthouse Farms Ranch dressing! It uses Kefir yogurt... but I'm going to have to try that recipe with cottage cheese!
  • Sabresgal63
    Sabresgal63 Posts: 641 Member
    Bumping for later
  • I just enjoy my regular old Hidden Valley Farms Ranch dressing. Sometimes I'm forced to eat the low cal or low-fat stuff because that's all that's offered or available, but those regular ranch calories are worth it to me! :)
  • Meglm1117
    Meglm1117 Posts: 70
    Yes, the ranch is awesome! It also has 7 g of protein for the 1/4 cup! I forgot to mention that recipe has 4 servings! Def recommend for ranch lovers. I just ran out. I have to get some more cottage cheese and i'll be making a bigger batch next time so it will last longer than 4 nights!! ;)
  • This isn't really a "salad" dressing per say, but in one of the restaurants I sous-chefed at we used to make this awesome leek puree. Seriously it was my favorite thing in the whole world, it's a little sweet and really satisfying. Also it's crazy simple!


    1) Cut the leeks in to half moons (we liked to use the whole thing but if you want it more sweet omit the bulb,*the white part*)
    --best way to wash leeks: submerge cut up leeks in bowl of water. wait a minute or two then swish the bits with your hands. strain and repeat as many times as you like, maybe just once more.
    2) sautee in some olive oil until tender
    3) throw in food processor with salt and pepper, chop on mid. gradually add water until desired consistency. You can also use a bit of nonfat milk or cream to make it richer. we used to blend it to a paste and store, for use we would throw it in a sautee pan with cream to make a sauce for our halibut dish.

    versatile and scrumptious!

    also general salad dressing recipe:
    1) Decide on type of vinegar you like (apple cider, sherry, white wine, balsamic)
    2) Add half a cup or so of vinegar and some complementary foods (blue berries, walnuts, and Gorgonzola with red wine vinegar!)
    3) blend in blender/food processor and s-l-o-w-l-y add half a cup or so of olive oil. the oil is an emulsifier and makes perfect dressings consistency
  • Tanya_IP
    Tanya_IP Posts: 62 Member
    I have copied and pasted all these suggestions and recipes...love it thanks guys!
  • oh! and annie's goddess dressing! fabulous

    http://store.veganessentials.com/annies-goddess-dressing-p837.aspx