Completely You: Food
By Karen Cicero for Completely You
It’s salad season! With locally grown veggies, fresh herbs, and grilled fish or meat, summer salads are scrumptious. But don’t sabotage their amazing flavor and health benefits by tossing them with a dressing that’s full of saturated fat, sodium and preservatives.
“You can whip up your own in less than five minutes,” promises Mark Molinaro, chef and instructor at the New England Culinary Institute. “Do it on Sunday and store it in the fridge for the rest of the week.” Here’s how to put your salad on the best-dressed list:
1. Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine vinegar and shallot. Add Dijon and salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil, starting with a few drops at a time. Once you’ve incorporated 10 drops of oil, whisk vigorously. Finish with a pinch of black pepper and chopped basil.
2. Healthy, Creamy Asian
In a blender, puree tofu. Remove from blender. Whisk in rice wine vinegar and reduced-sodium soy sauce. Then slowly whisk in canola oil, starting with a few drops at a time, until dressing reaches desired consistency.
3. Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette
Roast red bell pepper. Place in a blender with white wine or sherry vinegar; blend together. Slowly whisk in olive oil, starting with a few drops at a time. Once you’ve incorporated 10 drops of oil, whisk vigorously.
4. Low-fat Ranch
Stir together mayo and sour cream. Season with spices. Stir in 1 tablespoon buttermilk (or whisk together milk and vinegar). Add salt to taste.
5. Raspberry Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine raspberry vinegar and minced shallot. Add a pinch of salt and Dijon. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup canola or grapeseed oil, starting with a few drops at a time. Once you’ve incorporated 10 drops of oil, whisk vigorously. Finish with a pinch of black pepper.
Karen Cicero is Completely You’s Need to Know blogger. A health journalist and magazine editor with more than 15 years of experience, she has contributed to such publications as Prevention, SELF and Health, and she has edited the dental column for Heart & Soul magazine. She loves to cook, read and ask lots of questions (which is why she’s writing this blog).
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