yogurt dressing

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The Breakfast Basic in Your Fridge
Yet another reason to love yogurt: It can thicken and brighten up the flavor of dressings without introducing loads of extra fat. This tangy and smooth salad go-with combines plain yogurt with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and honey.

Try it with: Salads that contain fruit, such as pear or strawberry, since the sweetness is a good match for sweet-tart balsamic.

Get the recipe: Balsamic-Yogurt Dressing
cilantro lime dressing

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The Leftovers from Last Night's Tacos
If you've got a handful of cilantro and a few limes in the fridge after making tacos, fajitas or another Mexican meal, try this herby, tart and tiny-bit-spicy dressing. It gets some kick from a pinch of cayenne, but honey and olive oil mellow it out, so it won't set your mouth on fire.

Try it with: Crisp romaine, which offers a refreshing counterpoint to the spice.

Get the recipe: Lime-Cilantro Dressing
maple mustard dressing

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The Essentials on Your Refrigerator Door
It's hard to think of a pair of foods—aside from oil and vinegar—that can transform practically any food into something tasty, but this recipe shows us a new combo. You simply mix mustard and maple syrup, and warm the mixture gently for a just-sweet-enough, incredibly versatile dressing.

Try it with: Greens, roasted vegetables or any protein, really; this versatile dressing is truly all-purpose.

Get the recipe: Warm Maple-Mustard Dressing
ginger scallion dressing

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The Building Blocks of Practically Every Stir-Fry
Chances are, if you make Asian dishes every once in awhile, you've got everything you need to whip up this quick dressing. It includes garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil; together, they're salty with a little bite, yet smooth, thanks to the nutty-tasting oil.

Try it with: Any greens, alongside main courses ranging from noodle dishes to salmon, beef or chicken teriyaki.

Get the recipe: Ginger-Scallion Vinaigrette
moroccan-spiced dressing

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The Spices Gathering Dust In Your Cabinets
It can be challenging to use up jars of whole spices before they lose their potency, which is one reason we love this Moroccan-inspired dressing. It has you toast whole cumin and coriander seeds in a frying pan to amplify their flavors, then stir in turmeric and cinnamon and grind the mixture. Whisk the spices with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt, and the result is a warm and spiced dressing with complex layers of flavor.

Try it with: Salads that feature sturdy grains, such as couscous or bulgur; or oranges, dates and other fruit (the robust spices enhance their flavors.)

Get the recipe: Moroccan-Spiced Dressing