Ad. This salad dressing recipe was created for #ARSoySupper #ArkansasSoy #ArkansasSoybeans

Even if you haven’t run out of salad dressing, there absolutely is no reason why you can’t make your own salad dressing. All it takes is a few key ingredients to keep on hand. And (pretend that I’m whispering to you right now)… you probably already have these ingredients stored in your pantry!

February is American Heart Month, a subject that is near and dear to me after losing my father-in-law to congestive heart failure in December. For the last decade or so, I’ve made it a point to live as healthy as possible, eliminate stress as much as possible, and eat well as much as possible. I mean, who doesn’t want those things in their lives!

For twelve years, the American Heart Association has recognized soyfoods for their role in an overall heart-healthy diet. Experts recommend two to three servings of soyfoods daily, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Now, two to three servings can be a lot if you think of soyfoods only as tofu or edamame. That’s limiting (although delicious). Instead, whenever you reach for vegetable oil, turn the bottle around and read the label. That’s right… soybeans!

So one way to get extra servings of soyfoods and increase your intake of vegetables is to up your salad game. I’ve talked about this a lot through the years, recommending salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My fridge will always have several heads of romaine within reach and mixed greens to add a bit of variety and interest. Stock your pantry with bad foods; you’re going to eat it. Stock your pantry with good foods; you’re going to eat it.

I prefer the good! How about you?

For those times when you either run out of salad dressing (because you’ve upped your salad game, haven’t you!) or for those times when you think to yourself, “hey, salad dressing looks easy, how come I haven’t made it before?”… make it!

Quick and easy light salad dressing

For those times you want to keep your salads extra light with fruits, grilled salmon simple, a quick and easy light salad dressing using vegetable oil, white wine vinegar and honey will add the perfect light touch. This vegetable base makes the ingredients the star.

Quick and easy Italian salad dressing

For those times you want to give your salads an extra oomph or depth, use extra virgin olive oil as the base and add savory ingredients to bring out the flavors of the dressing and the salad will play the supporting role.

Do you have any of these ingredients in your pantry? What’s holding you back from whipping up a delicious salad and homemade salad dressing for dinner tonight?

Happy dressing.

Eat well, my friends.  

Lyndi