Simple deconstructed dressing...

Salads are one of my favourite ways of getting nutritious and healthy greens into my diet.

A salad can be made with a very few simple ingredients that you have on hand or be chock full of assorted tasty treats.

I think homemade dressings are the best because they are the freshest alternative and contain no preservatives. They are cheaper and can be mixed in a jiffy using a jar...no need for fancy gizmos here, just keep it simple.

You'll need a jar, some good quality oil, vinegar, salt and pepper for a basic dressing.
I like to add garlic, and dijon mustard...
you can add whatever herbs or flavours that appeal to you.

A friend of mine likes to add a couple of spoonfuls of whatever jam she has on hand.

Jamie Oliver...superior cook and visionary who has trained youth at risk by teaching them cooking skills and employing them in his restaurants. He also was the instigator responsible for redesigning the meals served in the UK schools with a new focus on healthy food choices. He trained hundreds of school dinner ladies by introducing them to a variety of healthy vegetables and lower fat alternatives to chips and chicken.

He has a new show on that follows him as he cooks his way across the USA. I watched the Los Angeles episode recently and was very impressed. He has a strong sense of humanity and empathy and feels that cooking can break through ethnic, political, and racial barriers.

It was a very powerful show...thank you Jamie!

I'm thinking that most of us believe that all families should be able to sit down and enjoy eating a meal together in peace...don't you agree?

Now, let's move on as I have slightly gone off on a tangent!

Here's what Jamie Oliver has to say about salad dressing...

Simple Salad

Hostess Style...

Washed romaine lettuce spun dry in a spinner or gently pressed between a clean tea towel.

Tear into bite size pieces...one does not need a knife when eating this type of salad.

Cheese wafers homemade or store bought

I love this brand, made in small batches...a bit dear, but extremely tasty.

(these can be crumbled or left whole to pick up and nosh like a cracker)

dress with homemade vinaigrette...

1 large clove of garlic minced

1tsp. dijon mustard

freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp. vinegar

3 tbsp. olive oil

make and shake just before serving

toss 

 enjoy!

If you feel that you need some help in the imagination department

here is a great book of salads where the guesswork has been done for you.

I received this wonderful book from my BFF 

she is a fabulous cook...and a dear dear friend.

So now... 

your job is to action some salad and dress it as you see fit!

My social calendar is chock full this weekend

hope you have a lovely one.

Cheers!