You don't need to run out to the supermarket to have fresh dressing to top your salads. You can make fresh, delicious dressings from the ingredients found in your pantry. Once you know how to make salad dressing at home, you may never purchase store bought varieties again.

Making a salad dressing is a very quick and simple process. This makes it easy to create a fresh and flavorful dressing anytime. By stocking dressing ingredients in your kitchen, you'll always have the freshest salad dressings on hand. The most common ingredients you'll find in homemade salad dressings are oil, vinegar, fresh herbs, spices, and dairy products that are used to create a creamy dressing.

On this page you'll learn how to make salad dressings in a variety of ways, with recipes that are easy and simple to follow. you can save money by making salad dressing in your own kitchen, rather than purchasing it from the grocer. Homemade dressing is also a great way to control the intake of certain ingredients such as sodium to meet special dietary needs. Without a tasty dressing, salad is just lettuce in a bowl.

Begin this recipe by gathering the necessary ingredients. Prep time for most dressings is 5-10 minutes.

Italian Salad Dressing Mix http://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/italdresaladmix.htm

• 1/3 c. Parmesan cheese (powdered)
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
• 1 tbs. garlic powder
• 1 tbs. onion powder
• 1 tbs. paprika
• 2 tsp. celery seed
• 1 tbs. sesame seeds
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1 tbs. dried Italian seasoning blend either a store bought or a mixture of equal parts basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage.

Using these dried ingredients mix well and store in an airtight container.

By creating the Italian salad dressing mix, you have created a base seasoning mixture that can be used to create a variety of Italian dressings. Here are two recipes that will utilize the seasoning mix.

Oil and Vinegar Italian Dressinghttp://busycooks.about.com/od/saladdressings/r/oilitaliansalad.htm

• 2 tbs. Italian Salad Dressing Mix
• 2 tbs. water or white wine
• 1/3 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil

Combine ingredients by either whisking vigorously in a bowl, or use a recycled glass dressing bottle or jar. Place the lid on the glass container and shake until well combined.

Creamy Italian Salad Dressinghttp://busycooks.about.com/od/saladdressings/r/creamyitaldress.htm

• 1 tbs. Italian Salad Dressing Mix
• 1/4 c. mayonnaise or plain yogurt
• 1 tbs. water

Combine ingredients ans ensure the they are mixed well. Serve chilled and store remaining dressing refrigerated.

These two variations of dressings have creamy texture, and great flavor. Each of these recipes has the seasoning mix recipe and the dressing recipe. The seasoning mix recipe will allow you to have all the necessary ingredients combined, so that you can add the dairy ingredients as needed to avoid unnecessary waste. Keep dried seasoning mix in airtight container.

Thousand Island Salad Dressing Mixhttp://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/thousandislamix.htm

• 3 tbs. garlic salt
• 3 tbs. onion salt
• 1 tbs. garlic powder
• 1 tbs. dried dill weed
• 1/8 tsp. white pepper
• 1/2 c. dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 c. finely crushed saltine crackers
• 1/4 c. dried minced onion

Thousand Island Salad Dressing

• 1 tbs. Thousand Island Salad Dressing Mix
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 1/2 c. chili sauce
• 1/4 c. pickle relish

Combine ingredients thoroughly and store refrigerated.

Ranch Salad Dressing Mixhttp://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/ranchdressmix.htm

• 2/3 c. dried parsley flakes
• 1/3 c. dried minced onion
• 1 tbs. garlic powder
• 1 tbs. onion powder
• 3 tbs. garlic salt
• 2 tbs. onion salt
• 1 tbs. dried dill weed
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 c. finely crushed saltine crackers

Creamy Ranch Salad Dressing

• 1 tbs. Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1 c. buttermilk.

Blend ingredients well, and store remaining dressing in refrigerator.

These recipes will give you the tools to create an entire Caesar salad right in your very own kitchen. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/caesar-salad-dressing-recipe/index.html

Contents of Caesar salad:

1. Romaine lettuce
2. Fresh grated Parmesan
3. Caesar dressing
4. Croutons

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

6 garlic cloves minced 1 tbs. dijon mustard 1 tbs vinegar 2 tbs mayonnaise 1/2 c. olive oil salt, pepper, lemon juice to taste

In one bowl combine mustard, garlic, vinegar and two dashes of salt. Mix until blended. Net combine this mixture with the mayonnaise until well blended. Slowly add the oil, stirring continuously. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Caesar Salad Croutons

Use 1 baguette and cut into cubes. In skillet melt 3 tbs. butter and add seasoning of 1 tsp each garlic powder, paprika and pepper. Saute the croutons until the cubes begin to brown and crisp. Allow to cool before adding to salad

You can now combine your crispy Romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing, topped with homemade Caesar croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.