Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix

by Todd Wilbur

Here's a clone for the instant dressing mix you buy in the little .7-ounce packets. When added to

vinegar, water and oil, you get one of the best tasting instant salad dressings around. But what if

you can't find the stuff, or it is no longer sold in your area, as I've heard from so many? Or

maybe you want to save some money and make a bunch? Just use this recipe below to make as

much dry mix as you want, and save it for when you need instant salad satisfaction. I've used

McCormick lemon pepper in the recipe here because it contains lemon juice solids that help

duplicate the taste of the sodium citrate and citric acid in the real thing. The dry pectin, which can

be found near the canning supplies in your supermarket, is used as a thickener, much like the

xanthan gum in the original product.

1 teaspoon carrot, grated and chopped

1 teaspoon red bell pepper, finely minced

3/4 teaspoon McCormick lemon pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons dry pectin

pinch ground oregano

1. Place the carrot and bell pepper on a baking pan in the oven set on 250 degrees for 45-60

minutes, or until all of the small pieces are completely dry, but not browned.

2. Combine the dried carrot and bell pepper with the other ingredients in a small bowl. Mix can

be stored in a sealed container indefinitely until needed.

3. When ready to use, pour 1/4 cup of vinegar into a cruet or jar. Add 3 tablespoons of water,

then the dressing mix. Seal and shake vigorously. Add 1/2 cup of oil and shake until well-blended.

(http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)

Serves 8-10.

Tidbit

If you would like to make the dressing with less oil, follow step 3 above as directed, but

substitute 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of oil in place of the 1/2 cup of oil.