Veggies and chips are good with the Green Goddess dressing.

Veggies and chips are good with the Green Goddess dressing.

As temperatures rise, so do cravings for fresh, cool foods. Melons, peaches and of course salad ingredients are at their in-season finest.

Why not make a fresh dressing to add even more flavor to your salad? Home-made dressings are easy to prepare and can be made in small quantities as needed.

There are several types of salad dressings:

Cider vinegar is made from apples and has a slightly sweet apple taste.

White or distilled vinegar is made from grain alcohol and purified so it has a neutral taste.

Wine vinegars have a wine-like flavor.

Balsamic vinegar is a special wine vinegar that is aged in oak barrels and has a sweet taste.

Limes, lemons and oranges add a fresh, tangy flavor.

One of my favorites is this simple lemon vinaigrette with added zest and a small amount of mayo to keep it all combined.

Makes about ¼ cup, enough to dress 8 to 10 cups lightly packed greens

¼ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

½ teaspoon Dijon or brown mustard

Combine all ingredient except olive oil in a bowl and whisk together. Add olive oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly.

This creamy dressing is packed full of herbs. May be tossed with a salad, served as a dip with crackers or on a veggie tray, or with poached shrimp. Hard to stop eating it!

¼ cup fresh basil • 1/8 cup fresh chives • 3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, or 2 tablespoons fresh

½ teaspoon garlic, or 1 small clove

½ teaspoon anchovy paste (or 1 mashed anchovy)

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the herbs and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until they are very finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. The dressing will keep well in a covered container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. More information can be found at www.onceuponachef.com.

Margie Mansure is an extension agent with NC Cooperative Extension. As a registered dietitian/nutritionist chef, she offers nutrition and cooking classes to community members. margie_mansure@ncsu.edu

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