A simple meal can become a meal-to-remember when you have the right homemade dressing. It’s a chance to enhance the taste of a dish, flip up an average weeknight dinner, and discover new flavours.
Dress to Impress
So many times have I heard from my partner that my meal was ok, but it was lacking a sauce. Message received, dry vegetables are not on the menu anymore.
So I decided to be creative, and when you look for new ways of doing something, you experiment. Dressing is not exclusively for salads anymore, and everyone’s happy about that.
A homemade dressing will go a long way. You will find nasty ingredients in the ready-made stuff in supermarkets. There is sugar, emulsifiers, thickeners, so it’s best to keep away from that, and make your own. You’ll be surprised by how tasty it can be !
You will find below different sauces / dressings that will make each of your dish an instant success. I tell you how I use them, but feel free to experiment yourself and use them with new combinations.
Homemade Dressings
- Classic balsamic vinaigrette : this is the classic 1-1-3.
In a Mason jar, mix together one teaspoon of Dijon mustard (I like the grainy mustard, but the classic one is also great for a smooth dressing), with one tablespoon of Balsamic vinegar, and three tablespoons of olive oil.
Close the jar and shake it well, until it’s all combined.
This is the perfect dressing for a side salad that’s not boring.
- Tangy dressing: for a mellow taste, this is an oil-free dressing
In a Mason jar, mix together one tablespoon of creamy honey, one tablespoon of tahini (sesame paste), the juice of half a lemon, and a tablespoon of tamari (or soy sauce). Shake or stir until well combined.
This homemade dressing is my go-to for a salad made of green lentils, green peas, pomegranate seeds and feta cheese.
- Almond satay dressing: find the recipe here.
- Tahini dressing.
In a Mason jar, mix together one tablespoon of tahini, one teaspoon of mustard, one tablespoon of nutritional yeast, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add a tablespoon of lukewarm water. Season and stir or shake well.
This particular dressing is the one I pour on my roasted vegetables. I love it, he loves it, all is right with the world 🙂
- Vegan pesto: this is the ultimate this-is-so-good factor.
In a blender, mix half an avocado, one garlic clove, one big bunch of basil or rocket leaves (either will work, but basil is so dreamy), one tablespoon of nutritional yeast (for the cheesy taste), two tablespoons of olive oil, and a quarter cup of water. Season well. Blend until you get a runny sauce.
I pour this sauce on a plate of falafels, asparagus and mushrooms, and this is instantly the star of the show. That is the homemade dressing that will make you want more, always.
Go Wow Your Guests (and Yourself)
I’m sure you will find at least one recipe that you like in here, so please let mw know which one it is. Once you try a few things, you can even start making your own, adding flavours that you like, spices and herbs.
And for other ways to be sure to nail your salad, go check this out: Hype Up Your Salad Every Time.
