Dressing 101

Salad Dressings

Formula= 3 parts oil/base + 1 part acid + salt and pepper + herbs

Oil/base option: olive oil, avocado oil, greek yogurt, sesame oil*(sesame oil is strong and over powering, use it in combination with another oil)

Acid: balsamic, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, lemon, lime

Herbs: Fresh or dried

Sweeteners: honey, honey mustard, sugar, agave

Adding sweeteners can help bring out or balance saltiness/ acid

Adding flavor: fresh garlic, roasted garlic, green onions, chipotle in adobe sauce, fresh ginger, shallot, mustards, sardines

Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette: Olive Oil + balsamic + garlic powder, oregano, basil + salt and pepper

Options: add mustard, do half balsamic half red wine, add lemon, add other Italian spices ie. thyme, rosemary, blends

Fiesta Dressing: olive oil + red wine vinegar & lime + salt and pepper + fresh cilantro, fresh garlic, jalapeno seeded and cumin

Options: add chili powder, agave, and oregano

Chipotle Dressing: Greek yogurt + red wine or lime + adobe peppers + honey + salt and pepper

Options: green onion, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika

Asian Dressings: Greek Yogurt or olive oil and a hint of sesame oil + rice wine vinegar + fresh garlic, ginger, honey + Soy sauce or salt and pepper

Options: lime, jalapeno, peanut butter

Lemon Dressing: Olive oil + lemon + fresh garlic, shallots + Dijon mustard + salt and pepper

Once you have all your ingredients it’s time to blend. This can be done by whisking them together or combining in a container with an air tight lid and shaking vigorously. My personal lazy lady favorite is putting them in a nutri-bullet (food processor, blender) and blending.

After blending taste your dressing. Then add in more of the ingredients you have used to make a balanced dressing.

Dressings are one of those things that you can get crazy with if you want. Just make sure to follow the basic formula and use ingredients that blend well together.

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