My friend Lidia Bastianich is an Italian guru, but I treasure her salads just as much! Lidia’s Roasted Beet and Beet Green Salad with Apples and Goat Cheese [above] comes from her NYC eatery, Felidia. Often times when you dine out, the added fat and calories that sabotage your healthy salads are hidden in your salad dressings. This Love Salad with Blood-Orange Vinaigrette from Chef Diana Stobo counters this notion with dressing ingredients like honey, fresh blood orange juice and apple cider vinegar.
Additionally, two easy dressings you can make at home that are every bit as delicious as some of your restaurant favs, but cut out the bit that weighs you down. Thanks to Tiva Armstrong for providing us with these healthy salad dressings:
Ginger Sesame Vinaigrette
- 2tsp juice from fresh ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp chopped shallot
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp mirin
- 2 tbl rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbl soy sauce
- 1/4c.. peanut oil
- 1 tbl toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 c chopped scallions
Whisk together ginger,garlic, shallot, sugar, mirin, vinegar, soy sauce. While whisking slowly add peanut oil. Add sesame seeds and scallions and stir. Serves 4.
Citrus Vinaigrette
- Juice of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 lime
- juice of 3 small navel oranges
- juice of 1/2 grapefruit
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 Tbl rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tbl honey
- 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley
- 2/3 c. olive oil
Put all ingredients in blender except olive oil. Blend for 1 minute. While blender is on slowly incorporate olive oil. Ready to serve.
Try pairing Lidia’s salad alongside beef or chicken — we have one dish of each!
Lemon Honey Cilantro Grilled Chicken
Juicy Flank Steak topped with Chimichuri Sauce
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