SALAD DRESSINGS

     It is a new year, so everyone promises themselves that they will eat healthier this year.  Lots of people start by trying to eat salads and drinking more water.  This doesn't have to be boring.  Add citrus to your water, it is good for you.  The winter time is citrus season.  Lemon juice and water is called lemonade in the summertime.  As for salads, be careful how much dressing you put on it.  The toppings can undo any good you are doing.  I make a little green salad before I start cooking.  As I cook, I add whichever veggies I'm cutting up.  I also eat this as I cook.  This is great for those people that always show up in the kitchen while you're cooking. Try adding different flavors to your salad to mix it up.  A couple of my favorites are toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, granny smith apples, and ramen noodles.  Ramen noodles will break up when smashed hard enough.  Sprinkle a little on your salad for texture. Green onions are a cheap and delicious topping as well.

CITRUS VINAIGRETTE:
2 Tbl any citrus fresh squeezed  (try satsumas if you can find them)
1 Tbl cider or white wine vinegar
sprinkle salt, pepper, any dried herb (rosemary, thyme)
a small amount of olive oil 1 Tbl or less

Whisk for one minute and pour over salad.  Any extra will keep 7 - 10 day in the fridge.



AVOCADO DRESSING
1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted (contact me if you don't know how to do this, it's easy)
1 1/2 Tbl fresh squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 Tbl cider vinegar
2 Tbl chopped fresh cilantro (or flat parsley)
1 clove of garlic, peeled, rough chopped
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg yolk
1 top green onion (scallion) chopped
2 Tbl cream or half&half
1/2 tsp salt

Combine the avocado, lime juice, vinegar, cilantro, garlic, and oil in a blender until smooth.
Whisk the yolk in medium bowl until broken up, slowly add the avocado mixture, about a tablespoon at a time.  This should be like mayonnaise now.  Add green onion, salt, and cream.  Stir well.  Cover, refrigerate.  If the dressing becomes too thick during storage, add a little more cream.  This will only keep for 48 hours.

Thanks to Rick Bayless for this recipe.  Rick has some of the best cookbooks out there.  Check him out at http://www.rickbayless.com/ .