Ranch Dressing

This is another Green Smoothie Girl favorite of mine.  This is considered a treat around here.  We usually eat our veggies raw but for those days that my kids need an extra bit of motivation and I say,  "I made Ranch"- their eyes light up!  To be able to make my own dressing benefits me in knowing what is in it and controlling the flavor.

Ranch Dressing

1 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Sour Cream
1 T. dried parsley
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder

Blend briefly until just mixed. Pour into a jar and refrigerate.  As it sits in the refrigerator the spices settle in better and it has a better taste.

The briefly part is key here- in times past I didn't notice that instruction and have just turned my blender on.  It would turn out pretty runny- it still worked- but the brief blend works so much better.

This was delicious on our Taco Salad that we used our leftover taco meat for.

bucking up to raise little mom's

A few months ago a friend of mine shared how she was letting her four children help plan out meals and follow through with helping to prepare the meal they picked.  My thoughts were, "That is so neat for her, but there is no way I could do that."

As time went on I started thinking about how much my two oldest girls would like that.  I remember when I was little and I used to sit and do my homework in the kitchen while watching my mom cook. That is where, I believe, my love for cooking and being a mom started.  I would really hate to deny my daughters of that same opportunity.

So I softened up a little bit and figured that losing control over my kitchen for two nights a week was worth the teaching experience and bonding time. We haven't been structured enough to do it each week but when we do it is very rewarding.

The first few meals have been their favorite foods.  Salad is on the top three choices for my oldest daughter.  Here is her salad creation for one of her dinners-

tomatoes, carrots, celery, apples, cheese, black olives, cilantro, dry roasted cashews, and deviled eggs

Avocado Dressing by- GreenSmoothieGirl

2 avocados
1 C fresh lemon juice
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
2 T of Bragg Liquid Amino Acids
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
2-4 T of water to reach desired consistency

Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth.

I think the next time I make this I am  going to go maybe half on the lemon juice, a smidge less on the oil and Amino Acids.  I liked it but it was a little bit bitter, tangy, tart taste or something for the little ones.