Dressing up a Salad

Spring has finally arrived and as it made it's grand entrance, so did salad season. Who doesn't love a bowl of fresh, cold greens, fresh cut vegetables and a delicious dressing tying it all together? While I can and sometimes do make my own salad dressings, I still have some store-bought ones that I love. I thought I would share and maybe you would get some new ideas. And if you want, tell me your favorite ones in the comments.

Ken's Steakhouse Creamy Caesar Dressing

This is my greatest secret. Whenever I serve this when people come over, they ALWAYS ask what dressing it is. This dressing is delicious and it makes for the easiest salad ever. I do one head of romaine, cut into bite-size pieces, a bunch of fresh Parmesan shaved with a vegetable peeler, croutons and ground pepper. And then toss in about half a bottle of this dressing and you're done. You will love this stuff.

Marie's Spinach Salad Dressing

My mother in-law introduced me to this one. When she served it at a big family dinner, it was this with baby spinach leaves, cranberries, chopped chicken breasts, candied walnuts and chopped pears. It was divine. It has a sweeter taste and a little goes a long way.

Litehouse Jalapeno Ranch

I like this one because it is spicy, but doesn't set your mouth on fire. Besides being good on some fresh greens, it's great for dipping carrots and celery for a snack. I think I have even served it on beef tacos.

Kraft Light Balsamic Vinaigrette

While balsamic vinaigrette is the easiest, cheapest dressing to make at home, I don't always remember to whip up a batch before dinner is going to be served. This balsamic vinaigrette is surprisingly good for a shelf brand. I like it on a simple salad of chopped greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, shaved Parmesan cheese and black olives. Even Jack likes this dressing.

Hidden Valley Ranch

This is something we always have by order of the patriarch of the family. And it can't be low-fat. He wants full fat and a giant bottle of it. So that is what we do. It makes everything taste good, even boring iceberg lettuce. Ethan also likes dipping pizza in it.

Ken's Steakhouse Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

Here is another one that was introduced to me by my mother in-law. This is such an excellent fruity vinaigrette. Great on a spinach salad and surprisingly great as a marinade. Like pour it over some chicken breasts and grill those babies up. Mmm mmm tasty.

Trader Joe's Champagne Pear Vinaigrette

No picture for this one. But for a lot of people, they already know about this one. This is one of Trader Joe's best dressings. It has champagne vinegar, pears and gorgonzola cheese in it. Even for a cheese hater like me, I like this dressing. There isn't too much cheese at all. This dressing is great with some mixed greens, chunks of chicken and some toasted pecans.