Salad Dressings: Thinking Outside the Bottle

Salad Dressings: Thinking Outside the Bottle

With so many bottled dressings lining the supermarket aisles, you'd think we ate salad for every meal. But there's only so much lettuce in the world. Here are some dressings that stand out to us, with distinct flavors and ingredients you can pronounce. Each of our favorites inspires dishes beyond romaine and iceberg.

-- Leigh Lambert

GREEK DRESSING

Cindy's Kitchen, 16 ounces, $4.99, Whole Foods Market.

Why it's good A thick oil and vinegar dressing with feta cheese and kalamata olives.

Try it . . . in pasta salad, using fusille, diced cucumber, grape tomatoes and (more) kalamata olives.

PASSION FRUIT-MANGO VINAIGRETTE

Earth & Vine Provisions, 12 ounces, $6.99, at World Market.

Why it's good A sweet-tart tropical fruit coulis.

Try it . . . For dessert. Here's a simple recipe: Blend 2/3 cup mascarpone cheese, 1/3 cup nonfat Greek-style yogurt, 2 tablespoons dressing and sugar to taste. Use the mixture to fill in the dent on thumbprint cookies (we found the ones shown below at Trader Joe's) and top with berries.

GINGER DRESSING

Makoto Ginger, 8 ounces, $3.99, in the refrigerated produce section at Safeway stores.

Why it's good Just like what you'll find in Japanese restaurants.

Try it . . . to make a salad of shredded chicken and napa cabbage, julienne red bell pepper, chopped scallions and sprouts.

BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Litehouse Chunky Bleu Cheese, 13 ounces, $3.49, available in the refrigerated produce section at Safeway stores.

Why it's good A mellow, creamy dressing with generous chunks of Idaho blue cheese.

Try it . . . tossed with boiled new potatoes and string beans and topped with crumbled bacon.

SPICED PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Tulocay's, 15 ounces, $6.99, at World Market.

Why it's good A lightly spiced fruity blend.

Try it . . . as a marinade for grilled pork loin. Serve with additional dressing as sauce on the side.