Protein Ranch Dressing

This secretly healthy homemade ranch dressing is incredibly flavorful, with dill, parsley, and garlic and onion powders.

My husband L-O-V-E-S condiments. Ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressing. You name it, he covers his food with it. He's so addicted to condiments, namely ketchup, that he gave them up for Lent one year. It was hard for him. I was convinced after Lent ended that he'd let up on his condiment usage. Well, I was wrong. Mike went back into full usage of his favorite sauces.

A few years ago, I was flabbergasted when I returned home from a business trip and found a 4 pound bottle of private label ketchup in our fridge! Mike was out of ketchup and he economically bought the biggest and cheapest bottle he could at the store. He was in heaven with his 4 pound ketchup. I, on the other hand, was mourning all of the high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients he was covering his food with.

Mike always asks why I harp on him about his condiment usage. It's not uncommon for me to ask him to try his food before he "ruins it with ketchup." He humors me and does, but after one bite he covers his food with his beloved condiments. What's my problem with condiments? I do think that they are somewhat unhealthy, especially as I exaggerate Mike's high usage of them. But, you may be surprised to learn that I grew up as a picky eater. I never really started using condiments until I was an adult. That's right. I ate salad with no dressing, plain cheeseburgers, and fries with no ketchup. Now, probably thanks to my condiment addicted husband, I use condiments sparingly.

I've been wanting to make homemade ranch dressing and homemade ketchup for a few years, but Mike hasn't been too receptive to the idea. When I went grocery shopping last weekend, Mike asked for salad and ranch dressing. I told him I'd try making homemade ranch this time with a secret protein-packed ingredient. He rolled his eyes, as I think he's sick of his "hippie and frugal" wife that wants to make everything homemade these days (thanks Pinterest, I for sure enjoy my homemade all-purpose cleaner, teeth whitener, face toner, and a billion other things). :)

I quickly assembled the homemade protein ranch with a few ingredients: cottage cheese, water, and homemade ranch seasoning. I tasted it and immediately made myself a salad, which I covered in dressing! This homemade ranch is incredibly flavorful, with dill, parsley, and garlic and onion powders, and secretly healthy. It tastes better than ranch dressing, and I'm encouraging my husband to cover his salad with it since it's healthy and packed full of protein.

Mike surprised himself and actually likes it. So, this will be my go-to salad dressing, as long as I can keep reminding Mike that it's better (and healthier) than the store bought bottles. Up next, homemade ketchup!

Protein Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:

·1 – 16oz. container cottage cheese
·½ cup water
·2 TBS dried parsley
·1 tsp garlic powder
·1 tsp onion powder
·½ tsp dried dill
·½ tsp dried basil
·½ tsp pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.