Vegan Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing was created right here in my hometown of Santa Barbara. Well, okay, it was just outside of Santa Barbara, at a dude ranch named Hidden Valley Ranch. Gayle and Steve Henson opened the ranch in 1954 and visitors came to enjoy horseback riding and whatever else they do at dude ranches. In the restaurant they served their house, or "the ranch", dressing. More and more people began visiting the Hidden Valley Ranch and when people started asking for batches to take home, the Hensons started bottling and selling their ranch dressing. In 1972, the Hensons sold their Hidden Valley Ranch brand to Clorox for $8 million. 

I have to admit that I'm one of those people who like ranch dressing on everything. I usually make a batch of this each week and keep it in the fridge for salads, dipping veggies, french fries, a spread on veggie burgers or whatever else. Even my husband and non-vegan friends like this. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain soy milk
• 1 cup canola oil
• half of a lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder - OR use a handful of chopped green onion or chives instead if available.
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the soy milk in a food processor. Turn on and slowly add in the canola oil. Blend for 15 seconds- it should thicken up pretty well. 
2. Add in a good squeeze or 2 of lemon and the other ingredients. Blend for another 15 seconds. 
3. Thin out with more soy milk and blend again if needed for desired consistency.