It’s a great time for lots of fresh salad greens at La Buena Vida Farm. I love a fresh salad with most every dinner, and it’s sometimes nice to have a dressing that doesn’t come pre-made out of a bottle. Here are a few quick salad dressings you can whip up in a few seconds. All amounts are approximate; use your own taste as a guide.

Lemony garlic oil

2 crushed garlic cloves
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
5 tablespoons of olive oil

Whisk together, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

2 crushed garlic cloves
2 tablespoons of Dijon or other dark or whole grain mustard
5 tablespoons of olive oil
3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey (optional)

Whisk together garlic and mustard. Slowly add olive oil while whisking. Keep whisking while you add balsamic vinegar and honey if you like. Add fresh ground pepper.

Honey mustard dressing

2 tablespoons of Dijon or other mustard
2 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of white wine or rice vinegar

Whisk together mustard and honey. Slowly add olive oil while whisking. Keep whisking while you add vinegar.

Asian sesame dressing

1-2 teaspoons ginger paste
1 tablespoon miso paste (optional)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Whisk together ginger and miso. Slowly add olive oil while whisking. Keep whisking while you add tamari and vinegar.

Also, if you don’t have any fresh tomatoes, carrots, or other veggies to put in your salad, here are some additions that you may have around to give your salad a little different flavor and texture:

• raisins
• nuts
• orange and grapefruit sections
• grilled onions
• hard boiled eggs
• fried tofu cubes
• dried fruit