Garlic Hummus Balsamic Vinaigrette

Whenever I buy a bottle of salad dressing at the grocery store, I always find myself letting it sit away in my fridge for months. I think it's because I get bored really easily...

Regardless, I've been trying to find ways to make my lunches more exciting. Too often do I have a soggy sandwich or lackluster salad awaiting me come noon. When this happens, I find myself craving a pizza or chicken finger feast by 2 p.m. This is NOT productive.

I know I need to find more ways to keep my palette and taste buds happy in ways that will stop my afternoon snacktime (or second lunch...)

Along with more creative lunch options in general, I decided my homemade salads needed a serious facelift. Then I remembered this salad dressing shaker my aunt got me upon my graduation from college. It is AWESOME! It's so easy to use and even has some recipes all along the side of it.

This dressing was one of my own and it packed such a great salad punch, I just had to share! If you don't have a salad dressing shaker, feel free to whisk everything together in a bowl.

Here's what you need for my Garlic Hummus Balsamic Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons roasted garlic hummus (or a plain hummus with a small dash of minced garlic)
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup or more extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried basil
Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Here's what you do:

Add the hummus and lemon juice to your salad dressing shaker. Whisk with a fork to begin breaking up the hummus.
Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and shake vigorously until all ingredients are incorporated.

Serve over salad, quinoa, or chicken!

It's that easy to give your salad a homemade touch. I really enjoyed using the hummus here because, while this dressing is light, the hummus adds a touch of creaminess and leaves you feeling fuller for longer (thank you protein!).

Do you prefer a homemade vinaigrette to a bottled, carb-loaded dressing? What's your favorite salad dressing?!