Olive Oil and Balsamic Dressing
When I think of the term kitchen “staple”, this is one of the items that comes to my mind. Most people would probably list their favorite knife or tastiest seasoning, but I’m a little different 🤪.
It is a go-to, for everything salad-ish in my kitchen! This dressing is so simple to make, stays good for a couple weeks (if it hasn’t all been used by then), and has become a staple in my kitchen ever since discovering it.
Yes, I was a ranch dressing girl back in the day, and actually not that long ago, less than 10 years. When I eliminated processed foods from my diet, there were things I thought for sure I couldn’t live without, and ranch dressing was one of them. Oil and vinegar dressing is just so boring right?! Now that I have discovered my true love of oil and vinegar, I try to encourage others to stay the course when going through eating plan changes, because your taste buds and cravings will catch up to your diet changes. It takes about two weeks and those cravings will go away and be replaced by your desire for the healthier flavors of real food that you have introduced to your body. Really!!!
Here is the recipe, then keep reading for more ideas on how to use this dressing -
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp dijon vinegar
1 tsp each salt and pepper
Place ingredients in a shaker container or small jar. Shake and store in your pantry.
It is a great dressing for salads, and here are some other ideas for how to use this dressing -
When you make tuna salad, ditch the mayonnaise and add the zest of this dressing. Continue adding olives, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, parsley, and your other favorite ingredients. If needed, add a little more olive oil to prevent it from being too dry.
Quinoa salad - I have several quinoa salad recipes on my blog, all different flavors, and most of them use a similar base to this dressing. Thai Quinoa Salad - this dressing then add a little rice vinegar. Mexican Quinoa Salad - this dressing and then add a little cumin and chili powder. The list goes on. Make up your own Quinoa Salad with whatever vegetables you have in the refrigerator, and put this dressing on it!
Any tossed green salad deserves to be dressed up with this olive oil and balsamic!
Kale Chopped Salad - perfect for tenderizing the kale and zesting up the flavor.
Use as a meat marinade - beef, chicken, or pork!
This is great drizzled over roasted beets, then place them on a bed of arugula - wonderful!
The list could go on, be creative! Enjoy!