Healthy Vinaigrette, Happy Holidays

Vinaigrette is a type of dressing. The former has a lighter texture and more runny nature. Vinaigrettes have a few clear, identifying components that set them apart from other dressings. Vinaigrettes will always get more points in the health column compared to dressings.

The healthiest way to enjoy a vinaigrette is by making your own. By doing this, you avoid the store-bought bottle’s added sugar, sodium, and preservatives. Oh, and for the freshest, best-tasting kachumbari too. Taste always comes first. Besides, making your own, you will find, is surprisingly quick and easy. Especially since we all spend a little more time in the kitchen in the month of December.

Vinaigrette is a mixture of oil and something acidic, used as a salad dressing or a marinade. The oil is often olive oil but can be any kind. The acidic ingredient is usually a citrus juice (often lemon) or a vinegar (hence the name): balsamic, rice, wine, apple cider, white, red, and more. The mixture dresses the salad greens or other cold vegetable, meat or fish dishes.

In its simplest form, your recipe should be three parts oil to one part vinegar, plus some salt and pepper to taste. If you want to make it more complicated, i.e.: tasty, elaborate on that foundation with various combinations of spices, herbs, mustard, spring and regular onions.

Try our rendition for the holidays, you will love it:

Classic Vinaigrette

First, master the basics with this French classic using red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced spring onions (or dhania), Olivia Extra Virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, screw on the lid and shake until blended….or you can use a blender. You can also whisk the ingredients together in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired and then add to your salad, toss, and serve! Keep leftover dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days. It’s such a versatile vinaigrette, you can use it on almost any salad green. It’s savoury and tangy, just what your lettuces need, whether they know it or not.

This is a great add to your Christmas buffet; nothing like a combination of taste and health to keep you on track!