X-cellent Salad Dressing

This is a super-creamy, perfectly tangy dressing that tastes great on x-ray salad and pasta.

What You Need

1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup cream or buttermilk

1/4 cup mild pickled jalapenos

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves or 1 heaping tablespoon prepared pesto*

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil

1 Lime, prepared as about 1 tablespoon of juice and 1 teaspoon of zest

2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic

1 tablespoon fresh minced onion

1 tablespoon honey or maple or simple syrup

1 teaspoon dried onion or chives

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon seasoned or garlic salt

What You Do

1. Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor.

2. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Push ingredients down and re-blend if necessary.

3. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

4. *Be aware that some prepared pesto condiments contain nuts; check for allergens, if needed.

X-ray salad: Set out bowls of sliced and diced ingredients for a fabulous chef salad, such as turkey and ham, steamed and shelled edamame, hard-boiled egg, crispy bacon, tomato, olives, cucumbers, feta cheese, drained and rinsed chickpeas, slivered carrots, slivered butter lettuce, or other family favorites. Give each child a small jar or glass storage container and help him pick out what he likes for his salad. Pour on a little dressing, secure the lid, and shake the salad. You can see what you’re eating!

X-ray pasta: In a similar way as the x-ray salad, but with all fully-cooked ingredients. Boil, drain, and toss cavatappi pasta in olive oil and salt. Set out bowls of finely chopped, cooked sausage; spiced and simmered ground beef or turkey; steamed broccoli florets or zucchini slices; marinara sauce; and parmesan cheese. Help your children layer their yummy favorites, pour on a little dressing, and shake their meal together. Can you see all the pasta parts? If you need to heat this dish a bit more before serving, pour in a microwave-safe dish and heat. Or set the jar in a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes. Only an adult should remove the hot jar from the pan, open it, and pour it into a bowl with a silicone glove.