Ranch Dressing

The best Ranch dressing ever--and without all the added preservatives and chemicals, etc! You'll never need to buy the bottled stuff again!

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2-3 teaspoons water or milk (if you wish to thin the dressing)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Lydia’s Salad Dressing

Source: Applehood & Motherpie cook book, modified

I'm not sure why we call this recipe “Lydia’s Dressing,” other than the fact that Lydia usually makes it. My mom found the recipe and made some modifications. We change the seasoning ingredients depending on what kind of salad we are making. Enjoy!

• ½ C. yogurt
• ¼ C. oil
• 1 t. lemon juice
• ½ t. salt
• 1/8 t. garlic powder
• 1/8 t. onion powder
• Pinch of pepper
• 5 dashes of Mrs. Dash seasonings
• 1 t. chives

Mix well and serve on fresh salad greens.

Hummus Dip

Source: Applehood & Motherpie Cookbook, modified

Vegetables have a delicious flavor just by themselves, but with this healthy humus dip they taste doubly delicious!

• 1 pound can chick peas, drained
• ½ C. olive oil
• 6 T. sesame seed paste (tahini)
• 5 T. lemon juice
• 1 medium garlic clove, minced
• ½ t. salt
• parsley
  

Blend well in processor until smooth and creamy. Transfer to dish and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with fresh cut vegetables.

Yield: 2 cups

Hot Artichoke Dip

Source: Applehood & Motherpie cookbook

• 1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained
• ½ C. grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ C. mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced

Instructions: Mash artichoke hearts with a fork. Add other ingredients, and spread flat in a pie pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until slightly browned. Sprinkle with paprika powder and serve warm with crackers.

Tex-Mex Dip

Source: Brenda K., modified

• Layer 1 - 1 can refried beans
• Layer 2 - mix 3 avocados with 1 T. lemon juice, salt & pepper
• Layer 3 - 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 pkg Taco Seasoning mix
• Layer 4 - chopped green onions and diced tomatoes
• Layer 5 - grated cheese

Sprinkle shredded iceberg lettuce over top (optional). Serve with corn chips.