"Olive Garden" Italian Dressing

Here's another dressing I whipped up the other night.  I've had this recipe in my stash now for years, but I've never made it.  I can't say from whom I got it, but I would bet it was online somewhere.  It's a pretty darn good likeness to the yummy dressing at Olive Garden!

You'll need:
1/2C White Vinegar
1/3C Water
1/3C EXTRA Light Olive Oil...the regular is too overpowering
1/4C Corn Syrup (CRINGE!!!)
2 1/2T Grated Romano (I only had Parmesan)
1 1/4t Salt
1t Lemon Juice (I felt it really didn't need this.  Will omit next time)
1/2t Minced Garlic
1/4t Dried Parsley
Pinch Dried Oregano
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes

Start by grating your cheese and your garlic into a measuring cup.

Toss in rest of ingredients, mix.

Looking back, I should have just done everything in the mini food

processor, rather than dirty up a measuring cup.  Sorry 'bout that.

Anyway, pour into your food processor or blender and mix it up.

It emulsifies well and actually stays mixed for days!

Transfer to container of your choice.  In my case, a skanky-looking

old lemon juice bottle that I've repurposed.  I knew I kept that for a reason!

Throw it in the fridge for the flavors to meld for a while.

Notes:

This was really good!  I thought it could do without the lemon juice though.  It just seemed a bit too tart.   I'll also use real sugar or Truvia next time rather than corn syrup.  This was really easy to throw together and should last a good long while in the fridge since there's really nothing to go bad in it.  The salad I made to go with it was very similar to Olive Garden's in that it had thinly sliced red onion, black olives and tomatoes in it.  I didn't have any pepperoncini.  This was really tasty and I would definitely make it again!  If you leave out the corn syrup and use XLight Olive Oil instead of Veg oil, it's really healthy for you, too!  Makes about 1 cup, or 8 servings.
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