We had company over on Wednesday and I went all out (as I love to do) for dinner. Lasagna, green beans, garlic bread, and homemade apple pie for dessert. I even picked up an $0.88 bag of mixed salad because, hey, it was only $0.88.

And I didn’t have to buy salad dressing because, well, I could have SWORN I had some in the fridge.

And you know I didn’t. Otherwise this would be an awfully boring post.

“And I came home, and found the dressing, and had a wonderful dinner.”

“The End.”

Nope, that’s not how life goes when you have company coming over and absolutely no time to run to the store. Plus, I had already filled the grocery part of my budget.

(This is where the “Frugal Friday” connection comes in.)

So I cracked open my dog-eared copy of Better Homes and Garden Cookbook and … I made my own salad dressing! It only took fifteen minutes and the guests loved it.

Creamy French Dressing

Ingredients:
3 Tbs vinegar
2 Tbs sugar
2 tsp paprika
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry mustard
Dash ground red pepper
3/4 c salad oil or olive oil (I’m wondering if canola oil would work as well; it would make this a lot cheaper, that’s for sure!)

In a small mixing bowl, blender container, or food processor bowl, combine everything but the oil. With mixer, blender, or food processor running, slowly add oil in a thin, steady stream. (This should take 2 to 3 minutes.) Continue mixing, blending, or processing until mixture reaches desired consistency.

Serve immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Stir before serving.

Out of curiosity, does anyone else get as giddy as I do when I realize I have the means to make something I had previously thought I could only purchase at a store?!