Salad dressing alternative

[mark.cheryl]

My children will pretty much only eat their veggies with salad dressing, or "dip-it" as they call it. Any recipies/ideas for homemade alternatives?

[unregistered29228]

Make them sit there until they eat their veggies...all night if necessary. (only partly kidding)

But if they like dressing, spray some Italian dressing or watered down Ranch on the veggies. You can buy Wishbone Salad Spritzers, and refill them with homemade dressing. Spray margarine is good too....

We've been blessed/lucky that our kids love fruits and veggies and normally they'll eat anything I put in front of them.

[susieM]

Maonnaise, hollandaise, vinaigrette, salsa, lemon and butter, cheese sauce, ketchup...

[ChoochCharlie]

Honey mustard, blue cheese, ranch. All can be made at home.
My kids are the same way.

[MariaAZ]

Tsasiki sauce works well as a salad dressing; 1 peeled, seeded cucumber, grated; sprinkle with salt and set aside for 5-10 minutes to allow the salt to draw off the water. Squeeze liquid out of grated cucumber and add cucumber to 1-2 cups of sour cream or yogurt. Add a clove or two of minced garlic and minced fresh or dry mint, and pepper to taste. Using sour cream gives it a richer taste, yogurt is probably more authentic.

Edited to clarify recipe

[suzyhomemaker09]

We make home made vinegarette salad dressing by mixing 3 parts oil with 1 part vinegar and a dash of dijon mustard.
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar being our favorites

[mark.cheryl]

MariaAZ: wow that sounds good.

I'll need to dip for recipies for this other stuff. Thanks all.

[elkhound]

Originally Posted by mark.cheryl

My children will pretty much only eat their veggies with salad dressing, or "dip-it" as they call it. Any recipies/ideas for homemade alternatives?

thats not food...thats what food eats......lol...i wrap my yearly piece of lettuce up in a ribeye....

all kidding aside...wonder why we dip them if they are so good and good for you. ...just conning our brain/taste buds into likeing them???????

[wogglebug]

Well, real salad dressings are clear, of course - naturally - so lemon juice or lime juice is good, or just possibly mint sauce (mint and vinegar, maybe sugar).

However, I've noticed USAmericans seem to want their salad dressings (like all their foods) thick, loaded with added calories, and murky/mucky. If your family is like that, and wants to slather their food with something they can see, but you want healthy, then try yoghurt. Maybe yoghurt with honey. Maybe hummus (Lebanese vegetarian dressing).

Or you could go with something like the USAmerican standard, and go for bacon grease and sugar. Tasty, no question.

[minnikin1]

For kids, the sweet ones are always a hit:

Amish Sweet and Sour Dressing for Salads
1/2 - cup sugar
1/4 - cup cider vinegar
1/2 - cup water
2 - T. cornstarch
1 - beaten egg
1 - T. melted butter
Combine sugar and vinegar..
In a separte bowl, mix water and cornstarch together.

Combine the 2 mixtures in a saucepan.
Add the melted butter and egg with
a whisk.

Cook on medium heat until the sauce
thickens, stirring occasionally so it does
not stick.

Makes 4 servings. Serve hot or cold.

Poppy Seed Dressing - (Excellent on Avocado or salad that contains avocado)

1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup rice vinegar
white onion, grated (1 tbsp or to taste)
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, ground mustard, salt, rice vinegar, and onion. With the motor on, slowly add vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream; whirling until dressing is smooth and has a creamy texture. Add poppy seeds and blend thoroughly. Store, covered, in refrigerator. Serve at room temperature.

Yields approximately 3 cups dressing.

[flourbug]

Mix a little honey and lemon into yogurt (or lemon flavored yogurt). Makes a good tasting and nutritious dip for fruit and veggies.

[TwoAcresAndAGoat]

Top the salad with cottage cheese!