INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 extra virgin olive oil 1 cup mayonnaise 3/4 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons crushed dried basil* 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste METHOD: Whisk together oils and mayonnaise. Add buttermilk, cheese, basil, salt,...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted 3 nectarines or peaches, sliced and divided 1-1/2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned, cooked, and diced 1-1/2 cups sliced celery 2 tablespoons sliced green onion 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger...Read More

Make this salad ahead of time to allow flavors to marry before serving. INGREDIENTS: 1 sweet navel orange 1 medium fennel bulb 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon honey 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest 1/4 cup pistachios, toasted A...Read More

This summery dressing is delightful with a mixed green salad. INGREDIENTS: 2 cups basil leaves (about 1 large bunch) 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup white wine or champagne vinegar 1 large clove garlic Salt and pepper to taste METHOD: In a blender jar, whirl the basil, oil, vinegar, and garlic until smooth....Read More

Here’s a sweet-tangy Southern version of coleslaw that goes well with grilled steaks, barbecued brisket or ribs. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup honey 1 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon celery seed 1 large head cabbage, finely chopped 1 cup diced celery 1/2 cup diced green pepper METHOD: In a...Read More

A minty yogurt dressing refreshes this versatile salad of peas, toasted almonds, celery, and green onions. It’s finger food when you spoon the mixture into tender butter lettuce leaves or a side salad for a picnic. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted 1 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 1...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon light miso 1/8 teaspoon toasted sesame 1/8 teaspoon soy sauce 1/2 cup neutral flavored oil such as grapeseed or canola METHOD: In a non-reactive bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, soy sauce, and sugar. Whisk in the miso to form...Read More

Sometimes I just get in the mood for something from my childhood, and when it comes to salads, this does it. This is based on a taste memory of the Thousand Island dressing from the now-defunct Marshall Field’s Department store in Chicago. This dressing is great on turkey sandwiches or salads with lots of chunky...Read More

This is not a traditional mayonnaise-based coleslaw, but rather a lighter, oriental-inflected “fusion” slaw. This dish is easiest to make using a Japanese mandolin (fixed blade slicer, not the string instrument) called a “benriner.”  The three combs it comes with (1 mm, 2mm, and 5mm in width) make nice clean shreds that are square or...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 basket of strawberries, calyx removed, and halved tip to base 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 1 to 1 1/2 cups unpeeled seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4 inch dice 6-8 cups Little Gem lettuce leaves (or Romaine), torn into bite-sized bits Large flake salt and fresh ground pepper...Read More