Dressing

I think that dressing up, even if it's just to go to work or walk down the block to pick up something to eat, has a really positive effect on my mood. For me, dressing up is wearing bright colors, even on the most dark and dreary of days. Lately it's been beautiful here, with the sun big and bright and unencumbered by clouds. As spring comes, so does some of the most beautiful produce I have ever eaten. I just can't get enough of salads -- their flavors are so bright and clear, but I still think the best salad deserves a great dressing to really seal the deal.

I know that dressing can affect my mood, as I remember clearly one day when I was munching on a delicious salad with too much red wine vinegar, and I started to feel my mood sour. Swear to god. Me and red wine vinegar are not the best of friends, though I've been getting a little more snuggly with some of my more mild vinegar friends: rice vinegar, and my new fave, fig vinegar from the farmers market. But no matter what, lemon, lime, and blood orange juice will always be my salad acid bffs.

I go for a creamy dressing the most, and before I really thought about how much fat I put on my dressing (and I'll be honest with you, I still don't worry about this that much), vegenaise and tahini were my true loves. But when I discovered you could get creamy goodness out of mustard, tofu, and miso (though too much makes for too salty!), I really was in business.

My old favorite dressing is caesar and my new favorite is tangerine/blood orange mustard. I've been experimenting with dressings and salad combinations for the past few weeks as salad has been at its very best lately, though I only remember to take pictures when I'm making recipe testers! (all for Yellow Rose Family):

Salad with Agave Mustard Dressing


Salad with Citrus Mint Dressing


Salad with Creamy Lemon Dill Dressing