With your own homemade salad dressings, of course. Before life landed on the fast track and while we still took time to think about what was being served, homemade salad dressings were the rage. That was before counting calories and fighting fat were weighed into our dietary options as carefully as a butcher weighs his meats. Homemade dressings add a fresh dimension to the taste of summer salad, however, and the good news is they don't have to be overlooked even for those who are watching their weight or the ticking of the clock.
Most dressings are best when made ahead and most are easy to adjust for fat and calorie content.
With fresh dressings, salads suddenly make great main course alternatives as well as super side dishes. Stuff them into a pita pocket for a healthy luncheon sandwich. A crisp salad loaded with julienne slices of meat and cheese, smothered in veggies and carrot shreds, otherwise known as the Chef Salad, also makes a great lunch or dinner. Serve a salad as a light summer supper for two or make a creative salad bar when company comes. A salad can be a hint of what's to come, or it can stand alone by adding slivers of grilled chicken, chunks of honey baked ham or any number of other meats or fish to round out the meal.