Recipe Of The Month - June 2011
Variety of Vinaigrette's and Superb Salads
There is nothing like a fresh homemade dressing for a summer salad. Using a few simple ingredients in just a few minutes you can transform your salads into delectable delights!
Basic Vinegrette
Ingredients
Here is a delicious basic vinegrette recipe:
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar (my favorite is a balsamic vinegar reduction)
- 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard (the grainy kind is my favorite)
- 2 tsp of honey
- freshly ground pepper
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake or add all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk together. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To add some variation add about 2 tsp of any of the following:
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Finely chopped fresh herbs of your choice
Superb Salad Ideas
Ingredients & Directions
The best salads are the ones that are full of color, include highly nutritious foods and are full of complimentary flavors. Consider adding any combination of these foods to your salad greens for a power packed meal:
- First, choose a dark green variety of leafy greens or opt for a mixture of greens
- Add fresh peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red onion, avocado or any other fresh veggies that you love
- Then choose some fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries, Mandarin oranges, mangoes, grapes, raspberries or blueberries as they are delicious topped with a vinegrette
- Experiment with dried fruits like cranberries too
- A sprinkling of a full flavored cheese like feta or goat cheese pairs beautifully with the sweetness of fruit and the flavours in the vinegrette
- For a complete meal, try toasted almonds, pecans or pumpkin seeds for added protein and a little crunch.
Top this colorful treat with a thin layer of vinegrette and let your taste buds marvel at the taste sensation!