Dressings aren't just for salads. Get creative.
With so many salad dressings on the market, you can easily dress up your healthy salads and vegetables any way you choose. But there are other creative ways to use salad dressing as well, whether you make it from scratch or buy it from the store. It is one of the most versatile condiments that can pack a flavor punch but is still low in calories.
Instructions
Starter and Side Dish Options
1. Use dressing for dipping bread, which is a simple and healthy appetizer. Serve the dressing alone, or mix Italian dressing with butter or low-fat mayo for a creamy spread on a baguette loaf.
2. Use an oil-based dressing, such as balsamic vinaigrette, in place of olive oil to saute your favorite vegetables. Vegetables that work particularly well are green beans, asparagus or Brussels sprouts. Serve alongside chicken or fish for a heart-healthy meal.
3. Make a simple pasta salad using whole wheat pasta, vegetables and an oil-based salad dressing. Be creative with your options. Add feta cheese, olives and Greek vinaigrette for a Mediterranean twist. For a classic pasta salad, use Italian dressing, crunchy bell peppers and red onions.
4. Roast Italian dressing with baby red potatoes for 45-50 minutes at 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Main Dish Options
5. Stuff bell peppers with ground beef or turkey and a little Italian dressing. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for a delicious and healthy spin on a classic stuffed pepper recipe.
6. Mix salad dressing into ground sausage for pizza toppings. Many people like to dip their pizza into dressings such as ranch or Italian, but those flavors will add to the depth of the pizza itself when you add it directly to the toppings.
7. Spread dressing onto a sandwich or wrap. Some popular options include ranch or honey mustard dressings, but try a bold flavor like Russian dressing with chicken and cheddar cheese.
8. Use a zesty dressing, like Italian or Asian sesame, as a marinade for beef, chicken or fish. The flavors in the dressing will infuse into the meat and the dressing can also work as a tenderizer. This works especially well for less tender, inexpensive cuts of beef. Coat meat in the dressing and place it in a large, shallow baking pan in the fridge for overnight. Flip the meat once to intensify the flavors.
Tags: Italian dressing, dressing with, salad dressing, bell peppers, chicken fish, Dish Options, Italian dressing with