Dressing Inspiration for Salad Slayers

You’re already confident about your salad-making prowess and you throw down 3, 4, 5 salads a week, always with your own dressing, never store-bought. These ideas are just for you, oh wise one.

Two words: Diced Shallot. You probably already know this, but adding diced shallot to your basic vinaigrette transforms it from simple delicious to spectacular.
Rustle up that Ranch taste! Want the pleasure of Ranch dressing flavor without the heavy? Add some buttermilk powder to a simple vinaigrette makes it tangier, creamier, and dreamier. This works great with many vinaigrettes – especially those with some herbs and onion or garlic powder. It also works great – but different – with a maple-dijon vinaigrette. How much? Add a little at a time till you get to the ranch level you love.
A touch of…Vanilla? We’re not talking desserts here, we’re talking vinaigrette. A little vanilla softens acidity, accentuates sweetness, and just makes things taste better in a way that’s not necessarily for the sweet. Vanilla can be savory. A dressing with a hint of vanilla works best with salads that have some sweet-ish ingredients, like fresh or dried fruit or roasted vegetables, super salty ingredients, or a strong cheese. As with the buttermilk powder, add a little at a time till you hit the flavor profile you like.