Salad dressing

[basteq]

I wish i could bring some in here. I'm vegan for about 2(?) years now and all i can do is basic salad with lettuce and tomato and cucumber ... bla bla .. booooooooorrrrrrrrriiiiiiing

I need something refreshingly new.

[Kiva Dancer]

I don't know if you're in US or not, but my favorite fixin's are:

spinach
beans
mushrooms
bell peppers (capsicum)
arugula (rocket)
if you can get your hands on mixed greens in a bag, these are pretty good.
beetroot greens
any other kind of greens that you can eat raw
kale (chopped into veeery small bits)
roasted onions
tabbouli
sweet corn kernals
onions (green onions are good and so are red ones)
fruit
nuts
nutritional yeast
ranch dressing made from tofu
roasted, sliced beets
turnip slices/chunks
carrot or parsnip slices (partially roasted or fully roasted)
broccoli bits
cauliflower bits
sprouts
avocado bits/slices
fresh parsley, fresh basil or fresh mint chopped up and added in

As you can tell, I love salads. To me, a salad is nothing more than a leafy excuse to eat more veggies.

[ConsciousCuisine]

100% Raw Salad, a Balanced Meal in a Bowl

Spiralized Beets, both Red and Gold
Shredded Carrots and Yams
Baby Spinach
Mixed Baby Greens
Arugula, torn
Sprouted Pepitas
Thinly Sliced, marinated Red Onions (apple cider vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, Celtic Sea Salt)
Cashews
Baby Plum Tomatoes
Sliced Young Spring Onions
Sunflower Seed Sprouts, Onion and Radish Sprouts
Chunked Haas Avocadoes
Sundried Black Olives
Sprouted Flax Crackers, Crumbled in at the last moment...

Here's the dressing:
1 bunch Basil, washed and stemmed
4 cloves garlic
1/3 c. sprouted sunflowerseeds
2 T. Tahini
2 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 T. Flax Oil
2 T. Hemp Seed Oil
3 Lemons, Juiced
1/4 c. Nutritional Yeast


Blend all and serve immediately!

Courtesy of Moi, The Kitchen Witch!

[Fruitbat]

For a fresh raw salad choose from the following (I usually have a pulse OR grain OR nut OR soy salad):

Basics:
Lettuce / Spinach / Rocket / Watercress (excellent antioxidants and mineral source also got a nice peppery taste) ...

Cucumber
Celery
Tomato / Cherry tomatoes
Red pepper (sweeter than others)
Grated carrot
Raw cabbage
Raw or steamed broccoli florets and cauliflower
Sprouted beans (mung, aduki, chickpeas ...)
Apple
Onion / red onion (marinadeed in raspberry vinaigre with a little olive oil and sugar)
Olives
Beetroot (in Malt vinagre)
Sugar snap peas
Fresh peas from the pod
Fresh or cooked french beans chopped
Grated courgette (zucchini)
Raw or cooked mushrooms
Artichoke hearts (marinaded in garlic vinaigrette)

Exotic and healthy additions:
Avocado (or mashed avocado with tobasco red onion tomato and lime juice)
Sweet potato (cooked and chopped)
Roast pumpkin
Balsamic and cumin-roasted aubergine (eggplant)

Protein and carb and fat sources:
Walnuts
Sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, linseeds
Tahini
Chopped raw or grilled or fried flavoured or natural tofu or tempeh
Tinned beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, butter beans ... or a mix of them all)
Lentils
Cooked brown or mixed rice or pasta
Some coleslaw on the side (Grated cabbage, carrot and onion with vegan mayo and some vinegar and sugar to taste though I just use mayo)

Dressings
Pure Balsamic vinaigre
Balsamic and orange oil vinaigrette
Lime and coriander in white wine vinaigre with olive oil and sugar to taste
Tahini

Oh salads are indeed the Kings of all meals! I never get bored which is a good time as i eat them at east once a day!

[Mystic]

I am totally NOT as interesting as these people! I eat loads of dhal, so I make a basic Indian style salad to go with it...and sorry for the boringism involved!

- 2 chopped tomatoes, 1 chopped cucumber, 1 chopped bunch of coriander and 1/2 chopped spring onions tossed in the juice of 1/2 lemon. Usually I am too lazy, but a sprinkling of ground cumin is nice, as is a little bit of chopped fennel or grated fresh ginger. Tonight I was going to add mango puree but I wasn't game. (Was hungry and didn't want to screw up dinner!)

[foxytina_69]

what is your favorite salad dressing?

mine is poppy seed

[Artichoke47]

I don't use salad dressing, but I need to make one for my Thanksgiving dinner salad. I have a recipe for sunflower seed dressing that I want to make. Has anyone ever had that?

[ConsciousCuisine]

I make one with Tarragon, Raw Sunflower Seeds, Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive oil with a dash of Umeboshi Venegar and a Grinding of Fresh Pepper. It is good!

[assilembob]

OHHHH that sounds fabulous.
Myself: I really like Goddess dressing, Balsamic Vinegar and Red Wine Vinegrette. (not together obviously!)
I also like a red french dressing or just plain french which is what I tend to get when I have to eat out with the 'rents (since my dad is a steakhouse FREAK) and I usually end up with a nasty iceburg salad.

[Andie]

I've never eaten carrot salad till now. I mixed grated carrots, raisins, toasted walnuts, a little maple syrup, cinnamon and cloves. It's so good.
What are others favorite salad recipes? I'm in the mood for fresh, raw foods lately except for the gingerbread I ate yesterday.

[foxytina_69]

mmm carrot salad

[snivelingchild]

I will never again buy store bought salad dressing after making it myself for the first time. I know where the ingredients come from, I can alter it any way I like, and I can waste less! Today I made an italian dressing with tomato, basil, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt. It's really good. Does anyone else make their own?

[ConsciousCuisine]

Yes. I make raw salad dressing a few times a week. It is really the best!

[Northern Lights]

I enjoy that I can add what I like / remove what I disliked in future batches of dressing. The taste can be so different in a store bought dressing- almost seems 'old' to me, kinda stale.

I like it that it's way less expensive too! I suppose you could make expensive homemade dressings, but you'd have to work really hard to do so!

Oh! I also like that I don't have to have tons of bottles filling up the fridge. Or the landfill.

[snivelingchild]

I just made this dressing today and it's delicious!
Blend together:
2 stalks chopped celery
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
whatever personal proportions of:
parsley
oregano
black pepper
dill
rosemary
fresh basil

I also want something tomato based. I tried one recipe, but it didn't taste that great. Any suggestions?

[Artichoke47]

Here's one with honey listed as an ingredient, but I'm sure you can use another liquid sweetener:

Russian Salad Dressing
----------------------
1 cup tomatoes (whole canned) or thick juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp paprika
1 small green onion OR 1 tsp onion powder
optional - 1 tsp horseradish powder
optional - 1 garlic clove

Blenderize until smooth, makes about 2 cups.
From: Ten Talents Cookbook by Frank and Rosalie Hurd

[foxytina_69]

does anyone have a recipe for salad dressing that is creamy that doesnt have tofu in it?

[snivelingchild]

I don't have a recipe, but soy milk would work for creaminess.

[ConsciousCuisine]

I use cashews or tahini with olive and/or (a small amount of) flax oils to make "creamy" dressings.

[Sabster]

I like olive oil mixed with lemon. As basic as you can get Adding a little salt and peper is good too.

[snivelingchild]

For Christmas my mom made me a huge bottle of oil & vinegar with garlic dressing. Ain't she sweet. Simple and delicious.

[Tigerlily]

I usually use olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dried mint for my own salad dressing. But you guys have some nice ideas that I might use!

[Peas'nHominy]

The closest I've gotten so far is Nasoya Vegi-Dressing, the Garden Herb flavor. But I'm not certain if this is really vegan or not. some info here

The ingredients listed on the bottle say:
silken tofu (water, organic soybeans, lemon juice concentrate), sunflower and/or soybean oil, evaporated cane juice, vinegar, salt, mustard (distilled vinegar, salt, tumeric, spices), xanthan gum, spices, parsley flakes, minced onion, natural flavors. All non-GMO.

..I tried calling them but no luck yet...

Do any of y'all know about this product? Or a different product that would be a vegan option for a ranch salad dressing?

[Tigerlily]

That looks pretty vegan to me.

[foxytina_69]

i have a recipe for ranch dressing that is fabulous.

1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 cup plain soy milk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon minced parsley
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

stir all together, place in container and let sit overnight. (you can add extra spices if u want to make it stronger) my family loves this ranch dressing and cant believe its vegan.

[Peas'nHominy]

1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 cup plain soy milk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon minced parsley
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Yayy! What is white vinegar? Is that just regular ol' vinegar, or does it need to actually say "white vinegar"?

[foxytina_69]

its just regular ol' vinegar they say white because there's so many different kinds (like apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar)

[Caitlin]

I thought Health Food Stores have Vegan Dressings? I bought a Garlic and Herb one.. though I never used it hehe

[foxytina_69]

i have yet to find a vegan ranch dressing at a store!

[Caitlin]

That's weird because I saw some! There is a Dairy-free Ranch mix though by Dixie Diner. PETA's "I Cant Beleive Its Vegan" Says Girard's and Kraft French Dressing is vegan.. I don't know if thats the same as ranch though.. http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVega...ory=Condiments


This is a really really really easy recipie! And you can read the comments
http://vegweb.com/recipes/misc/4989.shtml

[foxytina_69]

i dont think they sell that here! or i just havnt seen it

[Kiva Dancer]

This one is one of my favorites.

Also, Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix packets are supposedly vegan but with everything else, check lables.

[Caitlin]

Yeah I heard something about a regular Ranch Dip/Dressing being vegan.. that might have been it

[mssara1214]

I know most Ceaser dressings have some kind of milk, eggs, and anchovies. I assume you could use silken tofu and seasalt maybe and just leave out the eggs. Does anyone have a recepie for a decent ceaser dressing???

Sara

[Seaside]

No.

[mssara1214]

Thats okay

[tipsy]

the whole concept of cesar dressing creeps me out!!!!

but none the less, i googled it for you!

this one looks the best...

Creamy Caesar Dressing
3/4 cup medium-firm tofu (silken is okay)
1 1/2 tbsp light oil
2 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1-2 tbsp minced garlic (more or less to taste)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt

[Seaside]

the whole concept of cesar dressing creeps me out!!!!

but none the less, i googled it for you!

this one looks the best...

Creamy Caesar Dressing
3/4 cup medium-firm tofu (silken is okay)
1 1/2 tbsp light oil
2 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1-2 tbsp minced garlic (more or less to taste)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt

Have you ever had Vegenaise? I bet if you added everything but the tofu and the oil to Vegenaise, and added just a little water to thin it out, it would be a really good caesar dressing.

[my3labs]

the whole concept of cesar dressing creeps me out!!!!

Ok, I'll bite...why does it creep you out?

[sugarmouse]

it does me a lil i guess cos it has so much animal stuff in it and does not appear to-i used to work ina restaurent and ceaser dressing was put on alot of supposedly vegetarian dishes-i always made a point of tellingthe customer.


i dontlike it myself lol-buut i agree veganaisse would probably work well, tomake any kind of dressing

[tipsy]

the smell for one!!!!

i was raised veggie, so ive never eaten it, and its really a strange foreign concept to me!!! ick! (shudders)

[foxytina_69]

i found this recipe on one of the natural health food stores websites that i go to:

1/3 cup vegan yogurt
1 tbs dijon mustard
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sugar
lots salt and pepper
splash lemon juice
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
splash oj
1/4 cup vegan parmesean
1 head romaine lettuce

blend yogurt with mustard, vinegar, and garlic. add sugar, salt, pepper, and lemon. blend in olive oil. check consistency. if it seems too thick, add a little oj. taste carefully - is it salty enough? check tangyness - does it need more lemon juice? let the dressing stand for atleast 20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. just before serving, stir in parmesan cheese. have extra parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.

toss the lettuce with the dressing and serve.

[urbandryad]

I never ate dressing before now. I always thought it was too sad that alot of dressings were VILE and had onions, which I can't have.

But the thought of making my own salad dressings is tempting. Mmm. How do I start creating my own sauces and stuff?

[mssara1214]

Thanks for those guys, my friend needed a recepie.

[foxytina_69]

some of these sound very nice. i suppose i could also buy the natural organic salad dressings aswell instead of the unhealthy sugary ones if i dont feel like making my own. i forgot those existed. well i need to take a trip to the health food store!

[paranoiathreat]

100% Raw Salad, a Balanced Meal in a Bowl....Courtesy of Moi, The Kitchen Witch!

oh CC that sounds diviiiiiinneee! I must make that!


as far as salads go, I love using spinach as a base. its strange what you can make jsut by changing a few small things slightly. I also love baby field greens! sometimes I make a chickpea 'tuna' salad and put a dab of it on top of a spinach salad with cucumber, onion, tomato, raw sunflower seeds, and strawberry dressing. to die for!

[maya]

Taco salad
1 tomato
lettuce shredded
1/2 red onion, chopped
about 1 1/2 cups of tofu cheese
about half a bag of tortilla chips, crushed
1 avocado, chopped
1 can of pinto beans, rinsed
1 can of black beans, rinsed
1 can of kidney beans, rinsed
top off with vegan sour cream

Throw it all together and add your favorite dressing.

Yum!

[Roxy]

Lately I have been using the Annie's Naturals Goddess Dressing. It is delicious on salad and in wraps!

[maya]

Those are my fav.

Lately I have been using the Annie's Naturals Goddess Dressing. It is delicious on salad and in wraps!

[Roxy]

The Shitakke Mushroom one is very nice too