Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce/Dressing

 

This is my best copycat attempt at the Utah Chain Spitz Restaurant's Lemon-Herb Tahini sauce.  It isn't quite the same, but it is good!  If you've never been to Spitz, I recommend their salad with this dressing, or the Street Cart fries with lamb/beef, and double the amount of all the toppings!  This sauce also works great on your favorite protein bowl combination, such as the BLT Bliss bowl, or Greek Protein Bowl.

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• INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢¼ cup fresh parsley, tightly packed
• ▢¼ cup fresh chives
• ▢1/3 cup fresh cilantro
• ▢¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢¼ cup lemon juice
• ▢
• ▢2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢½ cup tahini
• 1/3 cup  water
• -Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

 I'm kind of a picky ranch sauce gal!  I have tried and tried so many recipes over the years.  I think this is the ONE!  My sister gave me the Magnolia Table cookbook.  I haven't loved too many of the recipes, but if I only get this one recipe from that book, it is worth it!  Enjoy! Image from here.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise* 
3/4 cup sour cream
2 TBS lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp fresh parsley
1 tsp fresh dill (or 1/3 tsp dried)
1/2 tsp fresh chives
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper*
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

-Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

*The flavor varies depending on what kind of mayonnaise you use.  I usually use Kraft Olive Oil Mayo.

*I usually just do a pinch of cayenne

Divine Lemon Basil Caesar Dressing

One of my favorite restaurants is Pizza Limone.  Their Pera Pizza is a life changer!  I also love their Caesar Salad.  It has this light flavorful dressing with notes of lemon and basil.  I think I have created something that comes really close to the real thing!  This dressing is also good on Salmon, street tacos, etc. Image from Here

Dressing (Makes 2 cups):

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup light olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves (or more to taste)

*In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Blend on high for 20 seconds or until smooth and creamy.  Store dressing in Refridgerator for up to 1 month.

Image from Pizza Limone Menu

Salad:

• Romaine
• Grated Parmesean
• Lemon wedges
• *Note: I also like to add shredded carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, toasted almonds, and grilled chicken 
• Basil Caesar Dressing

 

 

The BEST Thai Peanut Sauce

This sauce works great for a cabbage salad, Thai Salad, Fresh Spring Rolls, Protein Bowls, Lettuce Wraps, etc.  Enjoy!  Image from Here

 
 

Image from Here

Image from Here

 

Image from Here

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
  
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (toasted or dark)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoons sriacha sauce (this gives sauce"heat."  You may want to omit or up amount to 2 tablespoons depending on preference)
  
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar, honey, or agave
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  
• a clove of fresh garlic, peeled
• 1/3 cup of water

**Blend all ingredients on high for 30 seconds.  Store in mason jar or other preferred dressing container.  Keep Refridgerated.   Sauce will store in refridgerator for 3 months.

Fresh Mint and/or Basil Dressing

My sister discovered this delicious recipe while trying to figure out what to do with her abundant Mint crop growing in her yard.  This has such a fresh taste, you will love it!  As noted in the recipe below, I have also made this same recipe using basil leaves or a combination of basil and mint and that is delicious as well!

This works well on salads, protein vegetable bowls, and street tacos.

 Image and recipe from Cookie and Kate.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• ¼ cup packed fresh mint OR Basil leaves 
• 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper

-NOTE:  I have doubled the amount of mint/basil leaves in the recipe and love that as well if you like a stronger herb flavor.  It is also really delicious to do a combination of Mint AND Basil together!

Apple, Chicken, and Kale Salad

This recipe is inspired by the salad from Cubbys.  It uses the classic balsamic dijon vinaigrette salad dressing (that I use for several other salad recipes).  The wild rice makes this salad extra hearty.  While this may not be a favorite salad of many, this is sure to be a winner with adventurous eaters! 

Image from here.

Cooked Wild Rice

Chopped grilled chicken

feta or goat cheese

crisp apples, diced

kale

raisins

toasted almonds

Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

-Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  This is best if you let it sit for an hour before serving.  It gives the dressing time to soften the kale.  Season with additional salt/pepper as desire.

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

-This dressing doesn't actually have mayonnaise, but when you blend it in a blender to emulsify the oil and vinegar it takes on a beautiful creamy look!

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. honey or maple syrup

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Gourmet Garden Greek Salad

This is a "lettuce-less" salad.  This is so colorful and fresh.  Summer is here!

Image Credit Here

INGREDIENTS:

Combine in a bowl a combination of the following:

Tomatoes

diced red onion (a little goes a long way)
Fresh Chives
Fresh Basil/Parsley
Cucumber
Celery
Red Pepper
Avocado
Feta Cheese

Garbonzo Beans

Kalamata or black olives

Fresh pepper

-Toss salad with Olive Garden Dressing and garnish with a little Balsamic Glaze

Grand America Salad

I had this salad at an event at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I've had salads similar to this, but the roasted grapes and toasted nuts and coconut took it to an extra tasty level--do it if you have the time!

Image Credit Here

Salad Ingredients:

butter leaf lettuce
walnuts or pecans, toasted
shaved coconut, toasted
grapes, roasted (if desired)
radishes, sliced
gorgonzola cheese

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

-This dressing doesn't actually have mayonnaise, but when you blend it in a blender to emulsify the oil and vinegar it takes on a beautiful creamy look!

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Citrus Beet and Avocado Salad

 

Image Credit: Chelsea's Messy Apron

My sister and I made this recipe together.  So now every time I make it I think of her!  I love that about cooking.  It rekindles memories and reminds us of friendships and family.  

This salad is so beautiful and delicious.  It is a nice and creative switch up to your typical salad.  If you can't find all of the different kinds of oranges, just use 1-2 kinds.

Orange Vinaigrette Dressing:

2 TBS fresh navel orange juice + 1 tsp zest

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 TBS honey

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

2 TBS olive oil

salt/pepper

Salad:

4 beets

2 naval oranges

2 tangelos

2 cara cara oranges

2 blood oranges

2 avocados

1/3 c. goat or feta cheese

1/3 c. coarsely chopped lightly salted pistachios

Optional-but highly recommend!: fresh mint or basil

Fall Butternut Squash Salad

 

Image Credits: CookingClassy.com and diet hood.com

My sister Mary Kay found this recipe.  Her garden seems to grow an abundance of butternut squash, so she's rather an expert in how to use it!  This salad is beautiful and delicious. Once I had it, the cravings began! The maple roasted butternut squash makes it very filling (well, you may still need something extra if you have hungry male teenagers at home!).

Salad Ingredients:

Roasted butternut squash and red onions (see note) 

Cheese: feta, goat cheese, parm cheese,  or Jarlsberg/swiss cheese

Roasted pecans or salted pistachios

craisins

Optional add ins: apples, pumpkin seeds, quinoa

-Butternut Squash preparation:  Peel butternut.  Cut in half.  Clean out seeds and insides.  Chop into cubes.  Place cubes on baking sheet.  Drizzle with a little olive oil and maple syrup.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast 425 for 10-15 minutes until butternut starts to brown (don't overcook or squash gets mushy and doesn't hold shape in salad).  Once cooled down slightly add to the rest of the salad ingredients.

Image Credit: Downshiftology.com

Apple Cider Vinaigrette (from downshiftology.com)

1/3 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

1 TBS honey

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 clove garlic

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. raspberry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Spinach Apple Pomegranate Salad

 

Image Credit: Countryside Cravings

This salad combination came from a restaurant called Carvers that I remember going to once in my college years.  This is a beautiful fall recipe with the apples and pomegranate seeds.

Ingredients:

Spinach

sliced apple (recommend honey crisp or cosmic crisp)

pomegranate seeds

craisins

feta or blue cheese

toasted pecans

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. raspberry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Berry Feta and Pecan Salad

This recipe is SUPER easy.  My kids may or may not think that having fruit in a salad is NOT right, but they eat it anyway!  Others of us with more "refined" taste will make and eat this whenever possible!

Ingredients:

Lettuce Greens (romaine, spinach, etc)

blueberries, raspberries, strawberries

Feta (or blue) cheese crumbles

Sugared Pecans (or toasted)

Dressing:  I like Trader Joes Balsamic Glaze OR you can use a honey mustard vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. raspberry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Cheesecake Factory Chopped Salad

This is a favorite salad of mine.  When my mom treats me to lunch on shopping dates...we always get one of these!  This copycat recipe is really good!

Ingredients:

Chopped Romaine

diced tomatoes

grilled chicken

chopped Granny Smith apple

crumbled bacon

sliced avocado

corn

Salad Dressing:

1/2 c. light olive oil

4 TBS balsamic vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 minced garlic clove

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 TBS chopped shallot (or red onion)

3 TBS chopped fresh parsley

Basil Pesto Salad Dressing

Pesto Dressing:

2 oz red wine vinegar

6 oz light olive oil

1/2 c. prepared pesto (Costco's brand works great)

BLT Salad

I know we're heading into fall...but I love salads!  My garden cherry tomatoes are amazingly sweet this year.  Here is a tasty version of one of my favorite sandwiches!  You can either use the Pesto Dressing (recipe below), blue cheese dressing, italian dressing, or ranch dressing.

Salad:
Mixed Greens
Spinach
Iceberg
Cherry Tomatoes
Avocado
Crumbled Bacon
Gorgonzola (or other preferred cheese)
Shredded Carrots
**Fresh Basil, chopped--secret ingredient!!!

Pesto Dressing:
2 oz red wine vinegar
6 oz light olive oil
1/2 c. prepared pesto (Costco's brand works great)

Fresh Fig Green Salad

 I had this salad at my sister's house.  I've never had figs in a salad before.  They are so beautiful!  This is a great salad to break away from usual routine!

Fresh Figs, sliced
Fresh Greens (I like to use the mixed greens from Costco)
fresh basil, chopped
diced red onion
goat cheese
optional fruit (blueberries, raisins, chopped apple, pears, grapes)
pistachios (or slivered toasted almonds)

Honey Mustard Dressing:
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. light olive oil
2 TBS dijon mustard
3 TBS honey
3 TBS red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing

This is a take off of the delicious Cafe Rio Chain Restaurant's Creamy Tomatillo dressing.  It is delicious!  I make it without tomatillos sometimes too when I don't have any.  It is wonderful on top of this taco salad or this taco salad, quesadillas, etc.

SIMPLE VERSION:
1 ranch dressing packet prepared using pkt. recipe*(see note)
Juice of 1 lime
½-1 bunch of cilantro
EXTRA YUMMY ADD-INS:
2-3 tomatillos (can use 1/3 c. green salsa as a substitute)
1 large clove garlic
freshly ground pepper
1 jalepeno (no seeds)--omit this if you don't like things spicy
-Using a blender, blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Serve with quesadillas, taco salad, etc.
-*NOTE:  I'm a bit picky when it comes to my ranch...this is best using 1 c. 1% milk and and 1 c. KRAFT mayonnaise (don't use low fat!)