Creamy Avocado Salad Dressing

So the other night, Ben did the totally unexpected! When asked the usual "What sounds good for dinner?" question, Ben replied...."a really good salad!!" You can imagine my surprise when this was his response!? I had to take advantage of the opportunity, but I found myself a bit stumped at what "good" to a meat-eating guy meant when a vegan-gal was making it. What to do?? So I decided, that he asked for it so if he didn't like it, it would technically be his fault for requesting something without any guidelines...except that there must be a candied nut in there.  So I went to the store and bought things that I truly thought Ben would not like. Wow, that sounds like not a very nice thing to do when typed out in front of me, however, I decided it was an opportunity to force him to try some new things!
On my list:
chickpeas
avocado
radishes
endive
grilled red onion
Mixed baby greens
homemade croutons
homemade creamy avocado dressing
oh and the most important part (to Ben anyway) sweet and salty Paula Dean almonds

I was hoping and praying that he would like this salad, since the last time I remember him requesting a salad, we made a Rachel Ray Pecan crusted fried chicken with maple bbq dressing (lettuce basically served the same purpose that rice would...something to fill the plate underneathe haha!) And guess what!?! He actually liked it, and we had it again last night at my parents house! I was a bad blogger and did not take step-by-step pictures but here are a few I took along with the recipe for the dressing and croutons. I hope you enjoy!

Avocado Dressing
1 Haas Avocado
8 tbs white vinegar (I'm sure that measures into like 1/3c or something but this is how I measured it)
4tbs olive oil
1tsp salt
1/2tsp pepper
1/2 a splenda packet....eek have no idea what the measurement would be for a replacement
1/2c water
1 garlic clove

Combine all ingredients in a food processer or blender until creamy. For texture think creamy and thick like Ranch dressing. Serve on a salad or with sliced veggies!

Croutons
1 Baguette cubed
3tbs olive oil
1tsp garlic salt
1/2tsp chili powder
Toss your baguette with olive oil, garlic salt, and chili powder to coat. Lay evenly on a cooking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 15min at 350 degress. Checking halfway through to toss.