Basic Vinaigrette

Makes: about 1 cup

1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

In a small bottle or plastic container, mix all ingredients and shake well.

Click here to see if there are any coupons available to go with this recipe!

Tips: It is wonderful to have recipes on hand for homemade dressing in case you find yourself out of regular store-bought dressing. Truly, homemade dressing is probably the way we all should go to avoid the extra preservatives. This dressing has a great flavor and is useful for adding to your salads, veggies and even pasta (try it with Red Pepper Rotini). Olive oil does tend to congeal so it's best to take it out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before you need to use it.

Recipe from The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook

Taco Salad

Beautiful bowl of Taco Salad

Taco Salad with crushed Tortilla Chips and Homemade Dressing

Serves: 4-6
Salad
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 pkg (1.25 oz.) dry taco seasoning
1 large head of lettuce, chopped (we prefer iceberg)
2 or 3 tomatoes, chopped
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
1 can sliced olives
1 large avocado
1 bag of tortilla chips, crushed

Dressing
1/2 c. salad oil
1/3 c. ketchup
1/4 c. vinegar
1 t. salt
1 t. paprika
1/2 t. dry mustard
2 t. grated onion (fresh or dry)
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 t. garlic powder
2 t. taco seasoning (from packet)

Brown meat in a skillet, drain grease and add the taco seasoning (less the 2 teaspoons for the dressing). Place lettuce in a large bowl; top with tomato, olives, avocado, meat and cheese. In a salad shaker or bowl with a lid, combine all dressing ingredients and mix well. Crush tortilla chips over salad and toss with dressing. Enjoy!


Tips: We prefer to put the tortilla chips over our individual salads. That way if there are leftovers the chips are not soggy the next day. Also, I know the dressing sounds funny but it is what makes the salad! Check out Kitchen Stewardship for more homemade dressing recipes. I also shared this recipe at Harrigan Howdy's Recipe Share Party.

Recipe from my friend Eileen G.