The lights dim,

The music starts,

Out walks the tall doe-eyed model in some crazy beautiful getup.

It’s a beautiful show, art in the form of costume, showcasing thousands of options under the basic category of clothing.  You might find it strange (unless you know me), but fashion and food go hand in hand in my mind.  I get as excited about a nice bottle of olive oil as I do about an expensive pair of shoes.  I feel the same about basic closet staples as I do about cooking basics: it’s worth spending a few extra dollars for something high quality, as beautifully simple and tasty can be dressed up in thousands of different ways.

Here’s an example of salad dressing four ways, because salad dressing styled in your kitchen is much more stylish than salad dressing from the grocery store.

1. The Great Geeky Greek

Salad for 2

Ingredients 

• 2 tbs. kefir
• 3 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
• Juice from 1/4 lemon
• Pinch of dried thyme
• Touch of fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Mix all liquid ingredients in a small bowl top with fresh pepper and thyme.  Serve on top your favorite greek salad.

2. Not so Gauche Garlic

Salad for 2

Ingredients

• 2 small cloves garlic
• 1 tsp. old style whole grain dijon mustard
• 3 tbs. olive oil
• 2 tbs red wine vinegar

Directions

Mix olive oil, vinegar, and mustard in a small bowl.  Using a garlic press, press the garlic cloves into the dressing mixture and whisk in with liquid ingredients.

3. Elegantly Simple Lemon

Salad for 2

Ingredients:

• 3 tbs. olive oil
• juice from 1 lemon
• touch of salt and pepper

Directions:

spread olive oil over greens.  Squeeze juice of lemon over salad and add a dash of salt and a dash of fresh ground pepper.

4. Spicy but Suave Avo, Lime, and Cilantro

Ingredients:

• 1/2 avocado
• 3 tbs. olive oil
• juice from 2 limes
• Seeds from jalapeno
• pinch salt

Directions

In a food processor, mix all ingredients.  Drizzle over a spicy southwestern style salad.