Several months ago I happened across a take-out side of real, full-fat Ranch dressing. It was something I hadn’t tasted in years and years and I went nuts. I ate two entire raw zucchinis and could have eaten 10 more if they’d been dipped in that magical sauce.

It helped that the nutritional information wasn’t included with that little plastic take-out ramekin.

After that experience, I don’t think I can ever eat bottled ranch dressing again – especially not the light or fat free kinds I’d been buying. For a moment I was defeated and thought I’d just have to give up on ever tasting Ranch again. But [cue inspirational music] I took hold of myself, held my head high and swore I’d develop a lighter, homemade version that was as tasty as the dregs of that take-out meal and captured all the finger-licking deliciousness inspired by this poem by my favorite writer (who is conveniently also by brother):

An Ode

Tiny rivers
Of delicious silk
Filling my veins
With buttermilk

Turns rabbit food
Into crudités
Fill up the bowl
Throw the carrots away

Compliments Entrées
Fried or baked
A tangy dessert
Hidden Valley Shake

Mixing with Vodka
Fresh taste for the Spring
Straw in the bottle
I’m the Cream King

Grease on my fingers
Dipping my crust
Not driven by hunger
Eyes full of lust

A never ending supply
Please do not stanch
The flow of the Lord’s sauce
Ranch

Here it is: only 25 calories and 1g of fat for a 2 tbs serving. Poor Brad panicked when he saw me slathering my salad with this dressing, imagining my future with Type 2 diabetes and his future cleaning my folds. No one would guess how light this dressing is by the taste. Use your favorite fresh herbs and adjust the seasoning to your taste to make this dressing your own. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week – if it lasts that long.

Light and Low Fat Buttermilk Ranch Recipe

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 16 servings

Serving Size: 2 tbs

Calories per serving: 24

Fat per serving: 1.1g

Ingredients

• 1/2 c nonfat Greek yogurt (I use Fage 0% or Trader Joe's)
• 1/4 c light mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp white vinegar
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp powdered onion
• 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1/4 c fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 c fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 tbs fresh tarragon, finely chopped
• 2 tbs fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 c well-shaken buttermilk
• salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Combine the first 10 ingredients, through hot sauce, in a medium bowl and whisk until combined.

Stir in fresh herbs.

Add 1/4 cup buttermilk and whisk madly until combined. Add more, stirring, until you reach your desired consistency. Season to taste.

Nutritional Information

Calories 24 / Total Fat 1.1g / Trans Fat 0.0g / Cholesterol 1mg / Sodium 56mg / Potassium 82mg / Total Carbohydrates 1.9g / Sugars 1.1g / Protein 1.5g
Weight Watchers Points: 1 / PointsPlus: 1

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https://www.homesweetjones.com/2014/06/light-low-fat-buttermilk-ranch/