Learning to make your own dressings is a great way to add new flavor to your salads and also to eat healthier. I've read many articles about the health benefits of salads being wiped out in one fell swoop of heavy, creamy dressings full of additives and unhealthy fats.

Although creamy dressings are a big hit (my kids love'em), they are often not the best choice for the heart or the hips; however, I have discovered that if you add fat free Greek yogurt to almost any oil and vinegar dressing, you've got your creamy texture without the fat.

Here's how to do it: Take any oil & vinegar that you like ( i.e. balsamic & olive oil) put equal parts of each into a mason jar with some salt & pepper & whatever spices you like, then add a couple heaping tablespoons of non-fat Greek yogurt. Put the lid on and shake! Adding a little orange juice or lemon juice adds health benefits and more flavor. (For better texture mix all other ingredients first and then whisk in yogurt.)

Last night I discovered a very simple dressing that paired wonderfully with my beet and greens salad:
1/8 cup walnut oil
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons minced shallot

If you don't have walnut oil try olive, canola, or grapeseed oil and put some nut extract in it.