Salad Dressing “Makes” the Salad, Right???
So many good salad recipes and so little time. There are so many different options to choose from. As a matter of fact, whenever we are invited to a friend’s house for dinner or lunch, they ALWAYS request that I bring one of my delicious salads. We were at a friend’s house recently and the entire group was trying to figure out what made my dressing so delish.
It’s really not that complicated. The freshest ingredients make the difference. I NEVER buy store bought dressings. There are all kinds of strange additions, and so much added salt. Also, they just do not taste fresh to me. Trust me, it is just as easy to make your own if you have the right ingredients on hand.
There is one ingredient in my vinaigrette that most people have not heard of until I tell them the special addition.
A friend of mine from Switzerland made a salad for lunch with this dressing many years ago. It was so incredible that I asked for the recipe (she’s a good friend, so let me in on the secret). Of course, I have tweaked it a bit, but the basic recipe remains the same. Now, there is no turning back!
Are you ready? The secret ingredient is a few dashes of Maggi Seasoning. It provides a unique savory, salty bite that takes the dressing to another level. You can find it with the Worcestershire sauce and other condiments in most grocery stores. Or, you can go to the link above and order through Amazon.
The links below will provide you with resources to obtain some of the ingredients. You can typically get all of these items at your grocery store or local market. I use either Grey Poupon Mustard or Musette Dijon Mustard. Both are really good and help to emulsify the dressing.
I tend to prefer a more tangy dressing, so I use a ratio of 3:2 (3 parts olive oil plus 2 parts vinegar). You can always vary what vinegar you use, or leave out the Maggi. I have also added a little maple syrup or honey to add some sweetness. I make a salad with freshly sliced strawberries, goat or mozarella cheese, and toasted almonds. I add a small amount of honey to make this extra tasty.

Heavenly Homemade Salad Dressing
- June 4, 2019
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of light tasting olive oil (I like Filippo Berio Extra Light)
- 2 tablespoons of white balsamic vinegar (I use Alessi brand)
- 4-6 dashes of Maggi Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons of good quality Dijon mustard (this makes the dressing creamy)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
- Step 1
- Whisk all of the ingredients together and enjoy! Feel free to double or triple the recipe if you would like to make the dressing ahead.
- Step 2
- NOTE: I prefer my dressing to be on the tangy side, so if you prefer less tangy, add a little more olive oil.
- Step 3
- You can also add any of the items below to enhance the dressing if you choose:
- Step 4
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- Step 5
- 1 garlic clove, minced or finely chopped
- Step 6
- Herbs of your choice (I love tarragon)
- Step 7
- Lemon juice
- Step 8
- Get creative and make salads an enjoyable part of your meal. Yum!