Tuesday, October 2, 2012

the salad dressing experiment: introduction


Background. I haven't shared too much on the topic, but I recently realized that I am intolarent to soy and soy by-products (i.e., soybean oil and soy lecithin). This makes purchasing salad dressing (along with many other things) difficult, as many use soybean oil.

Not only that, but who wants 8 billion bottles of salad dressing taking up precious fridge space? I don't always want the same kind, and it turns out that all salad dressing really is made up of is oil, vinegar, and spices. Um, hi - I have all this in my pantry.


Lately, I've been forcing my boyfriend to eat my beautiful salad conconctions with homemade dressings. And, now he's spoiled. The other night I was just going to sit oil and vinegar on the table (like I often used to) and he used his sweet, soft, pleading voice to ask me to whip one up from scratch. What a beautiful thing that now, with a little help from Mr. Google, I can do just that.


Objective & Methods. This won't be the most scientific experiment you've ever seen. But, my objective is to try out making varities of salad dressing from scratch and rate them on taste, difficulty, and nutrition. During the process I will document each recipe and compile a database for me (and you) to draw on for future salad creations.

I hope you'll join me in stepping out of your culinary comfort zone by testing out some of these simple and (hopefully) delicious concoctions.

Stop pouring preservatives all over your fresh greens, I beg you! 

15 comments:

  1. Boo to the soy intolerance! At least you have some AMAZING looking alternatives.

    PS - if you happen to come up with a sweet barbeque ranch...I'd probably love you forever. There's a Mexican restaurant I love getting lunch from that makes this insanely good one, but I have yet to get it right on my own.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw, I'm sorry to hear about your intolerances. But I bet being the great chef you are you'll whip up some tasty alternatives. I'll definitely follow along and hey, maybe I'll finally find a dressing I like? Then you'd be able to call yourself the person who turned me into a salad convert :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you don't like salads? i can't believe it!

      Delete
    2. I knoooow, I'm feeling so bad about it! But especially now in the colder months they don't seem warming or filling enough for me. Maybe you can prove me wrong :)?!

      Delete
  3. I love making my own dressing and I cant wait to see how it goes, sorry about your allergy but I know you were struggling to figure out what was wrong so I hope knowing makes it easier now! I bet you will make some great dressings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, this is true. i'd rather have it figured out and avoid soy than not feel good!

      Delete
  4. i am all about making my own dressing too, cheaper and tastier!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eeeeek! I'm excited for this experiment!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awwwr... sorry to hear about your intolerance :( Having one to soy is a PITA since that stuff is basically in everything... I really wish they'd ease up on it a bit actually, especially because so many soy products use GMO soy. Interested to see how your experiment turns out :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, i agree. it is in absolutely everything. which is why i spend so much of my time cooking things from scratch!

      Delete
  7. I'm soo glad that giving up soy has worked for you!! Hmmmm, maybe I need to try that next. I'm all about making salad dressings, so looking forward to your recipes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i suggest you try it. also reducing my calcium intake has helped. how are you doing?

      Delete
  8. Aw man, soy intolerance sucks! I'm sorry :/ But, at least you know what it is now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cool idea for a series! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

    I won't buy dressing from the tore either- I don't want all the GMO-soy up in my business!

    ReplyDelete