Catalina Salad Dressing – Barefeet within the Kitchen

If you happen to’re like me, you most likely loved a traditional taco salad greater than as soon as in your childhood. It’s a staple for a lot of household and potluck occasions and has been for years. And in the event you ate taco salad within the 70s, 80s, or 90s, it was seemingly made with Catalina salad dressing.

Ranch dressing could have taken over in reputation for a lot of salad lovers (and pizza lovers, vegetable lovers, chip lovers, you get my level), however Catalina nonetheless has a spot within the fridge for many people. That mentioned, the home made Catalina dressing I really like at present is a far cry from the grocery retailer variations I recall.

Catalina Dressing

Catalina is contemporary, daring, tangy, and candy, (although lots much less candy than industrial variations!) with loads of zesty flavors to maintain issues fascinating. At this level in my life, I may write an ode to home made salad dressings.

I really like how simple they’re to make, and the very fact you’ll be able to regulate the flavors so simply to your tastes transforms day by day dishes into one thing additional particular. Need a little bit warmth? Add a pinch of cayenne. Or for a little bit of smoky taste, strive a splash of smoked paprika as a substitute of the plain selection.

There’s nothing in any respect difficult about making most salad dressings, nothing in any respect. You simply mix all the pieces in a jar, seal it tightly with a lid, and provides it a shake. For dressings (like this one and traditional balsamic vinaigrette), I like to make use of the blender to emulsify the dressing. That manner, it received’t separate as shortly and doesn’t require as a lot shaking whenever you’re prepared to make use of it.

I used this batch of Catalina dressing in an old-school taco salad, and wow, was this ever nostalgic. Crunchy crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and crunchy tortilla chips, all tossed with this zesty purple dressing. There’s simply one thing about Catalina dressing that ties all these flavors collectively completely.

The taco salads I recall from childhood had been often made with plain tortilla chips, tossed complete into the salad or crushed a bit earlier than being added. Our buddies, Paul and Dian, launched us to a taco salad made with Doritos once we had been all newlyweds, and I liked that variation a lot, we made our salads that manner for years. Now? No shock to anybody who is aware of me, I’m all about the Fritos. Nevertheless you make your taco salad, this dressing is a enjoyable and attractive flash from the previous.

I do know I don’t actually need to say this, however hey, that’s what I do, proper? Catalina dressing isn’t only for taco salad. It makes a fantastic dipping sauce for grilled hen or greens, and naturally, it’s a terrific possibility for any variety of salads. So, even when taco salad isn’t your factor, a bottle of home made Catalina dressing may very well be a fantastic addition to your condiment assortment.

If you’d like a little bit extra salad inspiration, take a look at How to Eat Salad Every Day (and actually like it!) That’s the spine to my salad-loving life, and so many individuals who’ve tried the following tips have fallen in love with consuming salads.

Along with all of the salad concepts, the dressing options are almost infinite, too. Test them out and discover a couple of new favorites!