I love a great salad and to make a great salad you have to start by making  your own salad dressing.  Benefits to making your own salad dressing is it tastes better, it is cheaper than store bought salad and you know what is in it without adding preservatives or any additives.  Most of all it is easy! Below are some of my favorites. Replacing dried herbs if you can with fresh ones make a huge difference.

• Italian Dressing:
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons fresh chives, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste
• Garlicky Vinaigrette:
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (or use a blender)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• salt & pepper to taste
• Lemon Vinaigrette:
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablspoons safflower oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste
• Caesar Dressing:
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or 1-2 anchovies, smashed and minced
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated
• salt & pepper to taste
• Cashew Dressing:
• 1/2 cup raw cashews, roasted
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon
• 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• salt & pepper

Pick a base, a leafy green, cabbage or a mixed combination of several of the choices below:

Spinach, mixed greens, arugula, romaine lettuce, cabbage, cole slaw mix, kale, baby kale, butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce.

Pick a crunch: Add your choice of seeds, hemp hearts, nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruit or colorful vegetables. 

Pick a protien: chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak, eggs, beans, lentils, edamames or tofu.

Pick a cheese: goat, feta, mozarella, parmesan, blue, chedder or swiss.

Add grains such as farro, quinoa or barley.

Add fresh herbs such as chives, tarragon, cilantro, basil, and dill.

Be bold in trying new combinations and flavors. For example make an asian salad using cabbage, shredded carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, roasted chopped cashews, sesame seeds and a handful of fresh chopped cilantro. Toss it with the cashew dressing.