Lemon Vinaigrette -- A good olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon, and salt and pepper add zest to your salad. To add texture, drop in some slivered almonds or other plain roasted nuts. To add a little strength, chop in raw garlic. This is a very light and refreshing dressing to use with plain or multi-ingredient salads.

Balsamic Vinaigrette -- For a bolder flavor, use a little balsamic vinegar mixed with olive oil and a small dollop of Dijon mustard. Add a little salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts after tossing into your salad. This dressing is ideal for a mesclun mix, which has a strong, nutty flavor.

Yogurt Salad Dressing -- For those who prefer creamier dressings, this is one great substitute for the usual mayonnaise-based, high-fat dressing. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt with a little salt and pepper. Add some chopped fresh herbs like parsley and plain roasted nuts for both crunch and taste. This dressing is excellent for coleslaw and potato salads.

Chili-Soy Dressing -- This dressing adds great oriental flavor to salads. It goes well with lettuces, beans and even noodles. Use canola oil, sesame oil with soy sauce and lime juice sparingly as a base. Mix in chopped chili and cilantro for extra flavor. If chili is too spicy, substitute with thinly sliced ginger. Add a little bit of chopped peanuts for texture.