Some people prefer to mix the dressing in the salad before serving, to marinate. Others like to put it on his/her own salad, as much or little as desired. How about several types of dressing on the table to choice from? Fresh herbs are more flavorful.
Basic Herbed Italian Dressing
1/4 cup (60 ml) each: vinegar (or herbal vinegar) and olive oil
2 Tbs. (30 ml) minced herbs of your choice: parsley, basil, chervil, chives, mint, Italian herbs, Herbs de Provençe, thyme, Cuban thyme, etc.
1. Mix the oil and vinegar in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake.
2. Add the herbs.
3. Let sit for an hour.
4. Shake again before serving.
Herb and Yogurt Dressing
1 cup (235 ml) plain or Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (115 ml) each: olive oil and tarragon vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
minced herbs: chives, dill, parsley, sage, and mint to taste
few drops of maple syrup
1. Shake yogurt, oil, and vinegar in a jar.
2. Add the herbs.
3. Shake again before serving.
Green Mayonnaise
3 Tbs. organic lemon juice
1/2 cup (115 ml) soy or almond milk
1/4 tsp. (60 ml) each: salt (optional), paprika, and mustard
6 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. (30 ml) chervil and other herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.)
1. Blend lemon juice and milk in a blender except the oil.
2. Drizzle the oil and blend. Transfer to a jar.
3. Add the herbs and shake before serving.
Mike's Dressing
is never the same but basically in a jar:
1/3 apple cider vinegar or part balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/3 water
1/2 olive oil
herbs: Italian herbs, parsley, and basil
optional:
few flat leaf Cuban basil
mustard: Dijon, spicy, dry, or German
some mint
garlic powder
Your Choice
1. Half lettuce and half nasturtium + olive oil, lemon juice, 1 Tbs. or more (15 ml) herbs to taste
2. Mix in some flower blossoms with herbs and olive oil (see: Nutritional Information "Edible Flowers")
3. Fruit salads with anise, lemon, licorice-flavored cicely, and mint
4. Use herbed oil and vinegar. (See: herbs "Basic Herbal Vinegar")
5. Cubed cantaloupe, 2 tomatoes (cut into wedges), grated cucumber + 1 cup (235 ml) plain or Greek yogurt, and 1/2 to 1/4 (115-60 ml) minced mint
6. Experiment.
