Recipes - Ranch Dressing or Salt free Ranch Dressing / Dip Mix

Broccoli Salad

This great recipe is a spring and summer pleaser with Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing.

• 4 cups raw broccoli. Cut into pieces
• 1 large mango cut into chunks
• ½ cup cashews
• ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 can mandarin oranges drained (11 oz)
• ¾ cup prepared Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing (or Salt-free)
• 3 Tbls orange juice
• 1 TB horseradish (optional)

In a large bowl, toss broccoli mango, cashews, onion and oranges.  Blend prepared Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing (using dressing recipe), orange juice and horseradish well to make salad dressing.  Pour over salad before serving, then toss.  Yield 6 servings.

Snap Pea Cucumber Salad

• ¼ cup prepared Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing 
• 2 Tbls milk
• 2 Tbls fresh chives, snipped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed and sliced
• ½ med English cucumber, halved and sliced
• ½ cup coarsely grated radishes (about 8)

Whisk prepared dressing with milk, chives, lemon juice and black pepper. Add snap peas, cucumber and radishes and toss to combine. 

Specialty Ranch Dip

Use your own fresh grown tomatoes or those you get from the local farmers market to make this perfect picnic dish.

• 1 Tbls. Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing Dip Mix (or Salt free)
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 lb. Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups tomatoes, chopped (about 2 large)
• Lettuce and crackers, as desired

Whisk Ranch Dressing Dip Mix into sour cream and mayonnaise until well blended.  Cook bacon in skillet or oven and let drain completely on paper toweling.  Crumble into ½ inch pieces.  Fold bacon and diced tomatoes into dip.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Give at least one hour to meld flavors.  This blend can be made with low-fat or no fat sour cream and mayo, however it will not keep overnight with those ingredients, but will with regular fat versions.  Stir before serving.  Serve on a bit of lettuce with your favorite crackers.

Ranch Pretzel Dip

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tbls. Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing / Dip Mix (or Salt free)
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup beer

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and Ranch Dressing Mix. Stir in Cheddar cheese, and then beer. The mixture will appear mushy. Cover bowl, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, overnight if possible.

Quick Potato Salad

• 2 pounds small red potatoes, cooked
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• 1 cup prepared Backyard Patch Ranch Dressing Mix or Salt free Ranch Dressing mix
• Paprika or black pepper for sprinkling
• Chopped fresh chives

Cut slightly cooled potatoes into 1-inch cubes.  In large bowl combine potatoes, onions dressing and toss gently.  Dust with paprika. Garnish with chives.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ranch Red Pepper Dip

• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 entire package of Backyard Patch Herbs Ranch Dressing Mix (or Salt-free)
• ½ cup diced, bottled pimentos or red peppers, drained

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Mix well. Best of chilled overnight.  Serve with raw vegetables.