Party Pics: Simple Salads

I can't remember the last time I bought a bottle of salad dressing, and I eat a lot of salad. Once I learned how unbelievably easy--and how much more delicious--homemade salad dressing could be, I said adios to Hidden Valley. To complete my healthy summer spread, I made a few different dressings with various salad toppers so people could mix-and-match on their own. I bottled them in some cruets stashed in a cute little carrying case.

Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

1/2 cup fresh lime juice * 7 tsp honey * 4 tsp honey mustard * 2 minced garlic cloves * 4 tbsp canola oil * 1/2 tsp salt * 1 tsp pepper

Ginger-Sesame Dressing

2 tbsp minced ginger * 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar * 2 minced garlic cloves * 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar * 2 tbsp soy sauce * 1 tsp sesame oil * 1/2 cup olive oil

Balsamic Vinaigrette

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar * 1 tbsp dijon mustard * 1 clove garlic, minced * 1/2 cup olive oil, salt & pepper

Italian Dressing

6 tbsp olive oil * 2 tbsp white wine vinegar * 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley * 1 tsp dried basil * 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice * 2 cloves minced garlic * 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper * pinch of dried oregano