Kiss of Death Garlic Salad Dressing

Don't plan any hot dates after eating this salad dressing!

For best results, you will need a mortar and pestle to beat the crap out of your garlic. Because there are only a few ingredients, it's important that you use decent quality garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  

Ingredients

• 5 cloves of garlic (more, if you can handle it. Buy fresh and organic if you can and not the tasteless elephant garlic. It will make a difference)
• 2 t kosher salt
• 3 T balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 T olive oil
• 2 t honey

Instructions

1. Cut the hard ends off from your garlic and peel the cloves. Beat the garlic with your mortar and pestle.
2. Add the salt. Beat a little more.
3. It should look creamy. If it does not, put in a tad more salt.
4. Add the vinegar and stir for about thirty seconds while your garlic continues to break down.
5. Add the oil and honey and stir for about a minute.
6. Taste and alter. Garlic too strong? Add a bit of mustard powder and/or more honey. Too salty? Add more vinegar.
7. Now, add to your favorite salad, but sparingly, and toss. This stuff is pretty strong.

Mandarin Almond Salad

This delicious mandarin almond salad from Food.com is great for serving guests- it's a little different, it's yummy and so easy to make. My family loves it too. The hardest part is finding unsweetened, organic mandarins, NOT made in China that come in a BPA-free can!

It's a small batch, serves 4.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons maple syrup, divided  
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds 
• 1/8 cup vegetable oil 
• 1/8 cup mandarin juice (this replaces 1/4 cup oil)          
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce or dry cayenne pepper                   
• 1 bunch romaine lettuce, torn                            
• 1 (11 ounce) can organic, mandarin oranges 
• 1-2 green onions, sliced
• Optional ingredients: sesame oil, sesame seeds, Dijon mustard.

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons maple syrup on low heat.
2. Add almonds; stir until coated.
3. Cool almonds, break into small pieces and set aside.
4. In a jar with tight lid, mix oil, mandarin juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce and remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add a drizzle of sesame oil and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard if you want.
5. Shake well. Combine lettuce, oranges, onion and almonds in salad bowl.
6. Shake dressing; pour over salad and toss. Sprinkle salad with sesame seeds (optional)