Simple Spinach Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Work was having a potluck & I knew I probably wouldn't be able to eat anything so I wanted to bring something I could at least eat. The vegan cheese I eat had just released a feta cheese but it was so rich so I decided to throw it in a spinach salad with green apples & cranberries. And then make up a dressing my coworkers could drizzle on top of it. It was really good! And healthy and something I could eat! I just chopped up some green apples & tossed some spinach in a bowl with some cranberries. Super easy. I found the dressing on Pinterest.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette (Pinterest):

1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
Pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tbsp maple syurp
5 tbsp olive oil

Place in mason jar & shake to combine. Enjoy!




Close up of the salad...

Enjoy!...

Benihana's Ginger Salad Dressing

Here's another recipe obtained from the book "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2" by Todd Wilbur. I love this dressing! I forgot to buy fresh ginger, so I used 1 tsp of dried ginger instead. It makes a great dressing and I'm also going to try putting it on chicken in the near future!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 cup peanut oil (I used veggie oil instead)
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp fresh minced ginger
2 tbsp minced celery
2 tbsp ketchup
4 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp granulated sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds or until all the ginger is pureed. Chill in refrigerator.

Using my chopper to mince the onions..




Minced veggies...




All the ingredients ready to be blended....




Blended dressing...




Served with lettuce and carrots....Enjoy!

Olive Garden's Italian Dressing

I own the book: "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2" by Todd Wilbur. As you can tell from the title, it holds tons of recipes used by restaurants. Besides soups, I love salads so I decided to make the Olive Garden's dressing. This recipe was not included in this book, but in another book by the author. And it's super easy to make and tastes awesome!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vinegar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup veggie oil
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 1/1 tbsp grated Romano cheese
2 tbsp dry pectin
2 tbsp beaten egg
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes
Pinch dried oregano
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse for 30 seconds. Store dressing in the refrigerator.

All the ingredients in the blender...




Ready to be blended in my bullet. I love my magic bullet!




Ready to eat! Enjoy!