Lunch Licks

I didn't go riding today, the weather looked a little untrustworthy, cloudy and it felt damp.... oh where are my nice warm sunny days?

I just finished a great lunch... A big plate of Turkey chili with beans, and a large mixed green salad... Here's a trick I learned for a great dressed salad... most people pour their dressing over their salad, no, no, no.... make your own dressing in the bottom of the salad bowl... the rule of thumb is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar or lemon juice... you can measure this out before hand or just go by sight, feel and taste... just remember 1 tablespoon of oil is 120 calories all fat... so use a healthy fat like Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
First put in the acidic part, either vinegar or lemon juice, add your spices and whatever other ingredients you want to put in there, like minced garlic or sliced green onions or whatever you like...  and then while whisking, add the oil slowly a little bit at a time, you're making a temporary emulsion... temporary because oil & vinegar doesn't stay mixed too long... whisk it real good... give it a taste by dipping a piece of lettuce in there and shaking off the excess... if it's too acidic, add some oil, or if it's too oily add some vinegar... when you are pleased with the taste, toss your salad in the bowl... all the salad ingredients will be nicely coated with the dressing and if you got the amounts right, you will barely have any dressing on the bottom of the bowl when you're finished eating.