Dijon Salad Dressing

Healthy, hearty salad dishes don't skimp on flavor

It's maybe not such a strange thing for boys to prefer meat and potatoes over salad, but it is funny considering their mother is a star salad maker.

Last year, Emily Schuermann's chicken salad recipe took her to the "super bowl of cooking," the Pillsbury Bake-Off, where she represented Oklahoma. And though she didn't win the $1 million prize, she hasn't stopped making her prize-worthy salads.

This summer, cooking at the Schuermann house, whether salads or not, has been all about cool and healthy food.

Health concerns led Schuermann to change her habits, which resulted in a 50-pound weight loss in the past 10 months.

She did it, in part, by eating small portions of the things she loves. No deprivation diet here.

"The hardest thing to do is balance cost with health and taste," she said. "I really try to keep my ingredient list short. It is the easiest way to keep the calories low and the cost down."

The simpler the healthy cooking, the more likely she'll stick to it, she said.

'My own dressings' Her new cooking philosophy meant trading in a traditional potato salad for a skinny version, which her family likes even better than ones loaded with fat and calories.

Her boys might pass on salads, but she and her husband are fans. Another favorite is a chopped chicken salad, where she chops rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, basic salad greens and dressing together.

"The key to keeping taste while watching calories - and my budget - is to make my own dressings," she said.

Schuermann makes a basic vinaigrette with Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar and a little Splenda. Her classic ranch is a hit, even with her boys. She makes it with a few tablespoons of light mayonnaise, skim milk and nonfat plain yogurt, plus fresh minced garlic.

"A packet of Hidden Valley is great, but to save money you can grow your own chives and dill," she said.

That's what she does, and it saves calories and sodium, and ultimately makes a tastier ranch dressing.


Recipes Emily Schuermann's potato salad doesn't skimp on flavor.