The Salad Secret

The Salad Secret

by | Feb 4, 2016 | Uncategorized

Love a great salad, but hate the expense and added calories of store-bought dressing? Creating your own dressing at home is not only cost-effective but also allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier option. Making a delicious and versatile salad dressing is easier than you might think. It’s a simple formula:

  1. 1 T Oil: Choose from a variety of healthy oils such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, Hazelnut Oil, or Avocado Oil. Each oil brings its unique flavor and health benefits. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for example, is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health. Walnut and Hazelnut Oils add a nutty flavor, while Avocado Oil is known for its high smoke point and creamy texture.
  2. 1 t Vinegar: Vinegars add the necessary acidity to balance the oil and enhance flavors. Options include Balsamic Vinegar, Sherry Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, or Rice Wine Vinegar. Balsamic Vinegar provides a sweet and tangy taste, Sherry Vinegar adds a rich, complex flavor, and Apple Cider Vinegar offers numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion and weight loss.
  3. 1 pinch Seasoning: A pinch of seasoning can elevate your dressing. Common choices are Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Salt, and Pepper. Garlic adds a sharp, savory element, while Smoked Paprika brings a hint of smokiness. Salt and Pepper are essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste.
  4. 2 pinches Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs can add depth and freshness to your dressing. Consider using Dill, Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, or a blend like Herbs de Provence. Dill is perfect for a light, fresh flavor, Basil for a sweet and peppery note, and Rosemary for a woody, fragrant touch.
  5. 1/2 t Mustard: Mustard acts as an emulsifier, helping to combine the oil and vinegar while adding flavor. Options include Whole Grain Mustard, Spicy Mustard, Dijon Mustard, or Honey Mustard. Dijon Mustard is smooth and tangy, Honey Mustard adds a touch of sweetness, and Whole Grain Mustard brings a rustic texture.
  6. 1/2 t Sweet Stuff: Adding a sweet element balances the acidity and rounds out the flavors. You can use Maple Syrup, Agave Syrup, Honey, or a bit of Jam. Maple Syrup and Honey add natural sweetness, Agave Syrup is a lower-glycemic alternative, and Jam can introduce fruitiness.

Combine these ingredients, adjusting to your palate, and blend them with your favorite veggies, legumes, and more for easy, tasty salads perfect for your taste. This homemade dressing formula is not only versatile but also customizable, allowing you to experiment with different combinations to suit your mood and dietary needs. Plus, knowing exactly what’s in your dressing helps you make healthier choices and avoid unwanted additives and preservatives commonly found in store-bought versions. Enjoy your salads with these delightful homemade dressings!

Summer Yum

by | Aug 13, 2015 | Uncategorized

This healthy and delicious dish, which makes great use of fresh cherry tomatoes, couldn’t be easier to prepare.  It’s quickly becoming a staple in our home, and we hope you enjoy it too.

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1 can garbanzo or white beans
1 lb fresh spinach, kale, or other leafy green
1 c vegetable stock
1 T paprika
1/2 onion, diced
Salt, pepper
1 lb shrimp or fresh white fish (tilapia, etc.)

Sautee beans and onion in a drizzle of olive oil until onion becomes translucent. Season with salt, pepper, paprika.  Add vegetable stock (and a splash of white wine if you so choose) and cook at a low simmer for 20 minutes. Add spinach or other greens and cook until wilted. Add seafood until cooked through, serve, and enjoy.

All the Pleasure, None of the Guilt

by | Jul 22, 2015 | Uncategorized

July is here, and we’re basking in the bounty of seasonal fruits.  The first few times I brought home fresh strawberries, our daughter could knock out a pint in a day.  When I finally bit the bullet and brought home a pound, she was fatigued by them, and we couldn’t go through them quickly enough.  We hate to see fresh, seasonal fruit go to waste, but so many recipes call for ingredients that our bodies don’t need or benefit from.

This quick, easy frozen yogurt recipe calls for strawberries, but they can be replaced with -blueberries, peaches, or other fruits in abundance in your area.  It is important that the fruit be frozen before blending, though, to get the right consistency.

Homemade Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Makes 4 Servings

4 c frozen strawberries
3 T honey
1/2 c plain yogurt
1 T fresh lemon juice

Combine all of the ingredients in your food processor and blend until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze until solid.  Keeps for up to 1 month.

What could be easier and more refreshing on a hot summer day?  Plus, there are health benefits to these ingredients!  Strawberries and other red fruits are rich in lycopene and are fantastic for women’s health.  Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.  Lemons are rich in antioxidants.  Yogurt is full of probiotics for your gut – the center of your immune system.