Hidden Valley Ranch Mix/ Cafe Rio Dressing

Was going to make the yummy cafe rio dressing tonight but ran into a glitch... forgot to buy the Hidden Valley Ranch packet+Peter on call all night+girls already in bed= me not going to the store to buy it. Other glitch= we are having company for dinner tomorrow and it's Sunday. So the dinner plan isn't changing and a main ingredient is missing. Thank goodness for the internet. Found this Hidden Valley Ranch Mix recipe and it worked out great. I didn't have onion flakes so I just skipped that as well as the saltines. I also didn't have onion salt, but found you can make your own with one part onion powder and one part salt. I divided the recipe by 8 so that is will make about 4 or 5 ranch packet's worth of ranch mix. (not 42, although I like it so I think you could go that route if you love it). Usually ranch packets cost a little over a dollar. Well not now:) Oh and I didn't even have buttermilk, so used half sour cream and half milk soured with lemon juice. Sheesh, I sound like a responsible cook, huh? Just goes to show you can't really mess this one up. Result was great!

Hidden Valley Ranch Mix

15 square saltines
2 c. dry minced parsley flakes
1/2 c. dry minced onions
2 T. dry dill weed
1/4 c. onion salt
1/4 c. garlic salt
1/4 c. onion powder
1/4 c. garlic powder

Blend crackers in blender on high until powdered. Add parsley, minced onion and dill weed. Continue to blend until minced. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients and the powdered mix. Stir until well-mixed. Store in an air-tight container for up to 1 year. Makes 42 (1 T.) servings.

To make dressing, combine 1 T. mix with 1 c. mayo and 1 c. buttermilk. Makes 1 pt.

To make dip, combine 1 T. mix with 2 c. sour cream.

I use this stuff pretty regularly -- and have made it for gifts. It's great to use on chicken, or splashed in meatloaves or meatballs -- great to use in veggies too.

Here's the original link

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix
1 C. buttermilk
1 C. mayo
3 tomatillos
2 cloves minced garlic
½ bunch of cilantro, chopped
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
1 small jalepeno, seeds removed

Blend together in blender