Sprinkle it with Love and a Little Dressing
One of my goals for 2019 is to be more organized in the kitchen. This includes being less wasteful by purchasing produce and other groceries that I will actually consume, and not sit inside my refrigerator to rot. I also want to start planning out my meals in advance. And to prep my vegetables by washing, dicing, and storing my “greens” in containers. Not only will this cut my cooking time, but having my veggies pre-cut will help me to decipher which veggies I want to roast, toss in a salad, or snack on during the week.
And with this new motivation to meal prep and to be more conscientious when I shop, I have to talk about what inspired my New Year’s Resolution in the first place.
The Salad Dressing That Ruined My Salad
There is nothing worse than serving yourself a bowl of leafy goodness and topping it off with a salad dressing that is not so healthy. Just because a salad dressing or other tasty dips, like salsa and hummus, might have the gluten-free seal on the packaging, doesn’t necessarily mean the brand is free from preservatives. If the ingredients are questionable and hard to pronounce then you’re better off making your own vinaigrette or dip from scratch.
Whip it Up in the Kitchen
Not only does homemade salad dressing taste better than store-bought, but you and your gut can rest assured knowing exactly the ingredients you used to make your vinaigrette. I like using lemon and a splash of apple cider vinegar when making a salad dressing. A rule of thumb is to combine a cup of extra virgin olive oil as your base. I then add some lemon juice, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper for seasoning.
Whatever you decide to add to your vinaigrette, remember to always start with a small amount of each ingredient. Whisk everything together and taste. You can always add more seasoning or oil.
So the next time you go grocery shopping, skip the condiments section. You’re better off just making your salad dressings and dips from scratch.
What are some of your favorite homemade vinaigrettes and other condiments? Let me know in the comment box below.