Creamy Italian Lemon Dressing for the Salad Tray Buffet

 I like to serve a salad tray buffet and let everyone make their own salad. It's simple, just put it out and customize the buffet selections to suit your tastes or meal. When I serve lasagna, I serve Romaine lettuce, black olives, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, peppers, and homemade garlic butter croutons, and usually finely sliced red onions. This along with lasagna, Italian bread, and tiramisu makes a great meal. The dressing is easy to whip up and I've even had people tell me they could drink it with a straw! Ya'll enjoy!
Creamy Italian Lemon Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise (I use Duke’s®)

1/4 cup white vinegar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh grated

1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

1/2 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed

1/2 cup sugar or Splenda®, or to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. If this is a little too tart for your own personal taste, add a little extra sugar.  Place in jar with lid and set in the refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to blend and they will intensify.  I make a sugar-free version and no one even notices.  You can adjust the sweetness to your taste. I've also been known to thin it with some left-over champagne!