Make a homemade dressing or vinaigrette.

“I grew up with mostly store-bought salad dressings (like many of you, I assume) and when I moved out on my own, it didn’t even occur to me to make salad dressing. When I realized you could make oil-and-vinegar dressings (the simple answer to the “what is vinaigrette?” question) at home I couldn’t believe how easy it was – like so many of the other pantry basics that I discovered could be easily made at home! Once I realized how easy salad dressings were, it gave me the confidence to make a lot of other salad dressings, too, like Caesar, Honey Mustard, simple strawberry vinaigrette, and the best Ranch. But our staple salad dressing remains this easy homemade vinaigrette ratio of oil + vinegar + Dijon + seasonings because it’s quick, I always have the ingredients, and it’s perfect on a green salad.”