Dressings / Dips / Sauces – INACTIVE – Vanilla Blafer

Walnut Arugula Pesto

Jessica — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 21:21:50 +0000

Presto pesto change-o….. I adore pesto but the price of pine nuts is insane!!! Not only is this version cheaper by using walnuts it also packs a healthy dose of more nutrients/vitamins and finishes off with a peppery punch from the arugula. Tip: ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS roast or toast your nuts before using. The richness of the nut needs to be showcased by releasing their natural oils through the baking process.

4 C basil
2 C arugula
3/4 C walnuts
3/4 C extra virgin olive oil
3/4 C parmesan
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp kosher salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake walnuts on a cookie sheet for about 10-12 min flipping half way through until nicely toasted. Keep your eyes on them as you do not want them to burn. Let cool for a couple min. Add to a food processor (or blender) with the salt, garlic and cheese. Pulse until well combined. Add the basil and arugula. Pulse again until little flecks of green appear. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending on low speed. Use on pasta, sandwich spread, pizza sauce etc…..

Marinated Tomatoes

Jessica — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 11:54:46 +0000

Do you ever just wanna be extra fancy with a normal dish that’s been done over and over again? Caprese is one of those classic salads that can never go wrong but has so much potential to get jazzed up (insert jazz hands here…) These marinated tomatoes are life changing good! Soaked in the tart balsamic, rich olive oil, with a hint of sweetness and garlicky goodness… you are gonna wanna put this on everything (pasta, grilled fish, avocado toast ….)

1 basket cherry tomatoes halved.
1/4 C good extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic (or red wine) vinegar
1 garlic clove finely minced
2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tsp raw honey
pinch of salt and pepper

Whisk all ingredients together (not tomatoes or basil) until fully combined. Add tomatoes and let marinate for about an hour and toss sporadically to cover all tomatoes. Pour over mozzarella, burrata or toast for a kick ass bruschetta. Sprinkle basil over before serving to preserve that beautiful, bright green color.
This recipe taste best when served at room temp. Side note: Do not store your fresh tomatoes in the fridge. They will lose flavor. Keep at cool, room temp ALWAYS!

Mexican Caesar Salad

Jessica — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:47:10 +0000

Back in the day I would buy El Torito’s Caesar salad dressing. I would douse my salads with it and dip my veggies in it. Now, I don’t even want to know what oils and preservatives are in it and I will not touch the stuff. But I had a big and I mean HUGE craving for it. I had to have it. And if you know me and food, I let nothing stand in my way. I’ll make it myself. It’s creamy, tangy, cheesy and life altering good. You absolutely have to make this. It’s also so friggin delicious not only on salads but also on fish or chicken tacos. Maybe I’ll make that tomorrow with the leftover dressing!!!

1/2 C cilantro
1/2 C full fat Greek yogurt.
1/2 C full fat avocado mayo
1/2 avocado
1/4 C cotija cheese (Mexican parmesan)
1 tsp dijon
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 C olive oil
1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Blend all ingredients together. Pour over kale and massage in. I also use sweet potato nacho chips instead of croutons. Top off with toasted Pepita seeds and more cojita cheese.

#mexicancaesarsalad #saladdressing

Miso Carrot Ginger Dressing

Jessica — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:17:35 +0000

OBSESSED!!! I live for this dressing. One of my biggest reasons for going to Benihana was for the carrot, miso, ginger salad. I’d slurp it all up after I ate every cool, crisp piece of lettuce soaked in those sweet, tart and umami flavors. I created this one with a little more health benefits in mind by adding Maca powder. Maca is a natural energy booster, increases fertility, reduces blood pressure and sun damage. Slather this all over some iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced cucumbers and diced tomatoes. You can give me a hug later.

2 med carrots roughly chopped
1 (2 inch) piece fresh peeled ginger
3 tbsp sweet or mild miso
2 garlic cloves
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/4 c avocado or other light oil
1 tbsp dark sesame oil
1 tbsp maca powder (optional)
2 tsp fish sauce (or tamari)
1 tbsp water
pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients into a high powered blender. Blend until smooth.

Basil Vinaigrette

Jessica — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:59:48 +0000

There’s no excuse to not make your own salad dressings. They are all so simple and usually take only a couple ingredients. Almost all bottled dressings in the market contain sub par oils that may cause inflammation such as soybean oil. Other ingredients such as sugar and preservatives are also very prevalent in grocery store brands. I mean isn’t the whole point of eating a salad to be healthy!? Lucky for you I’ve got this super easy and super delicious basil vinaigrette that pairs perfectly with a juicy peach, creamy burrata, salty prosciutto n pistachios and crisp butter leaf salad.

2 C fresh basil leaves
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
2 tsp honey
1 garlic clove
1/2 shallot
1/2 salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a food processor, blender or hand held mixture, blend everything together.

Sesame Ginger Dressing

Jessica — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:59:48 +0000

I wanna be bad… real bad. Like PF Chang’s crispy, fried, sweet n sticky chicken bad. But I won’t do it. I just got out of a circuit training class that would make a large man cry (ahem @billysorrentino) So I’ll satisfy my Asian “sweet tooth” with my insane ginger dressing on a salad that is post work out approved. It’s sweet, salty, tangy and rich In umami flavor. Poured it over butter lettuce, mandarin slices, green onion, cucumber and toasted cashews.

1/2 C avocado oil
1/4 C rice vinegar
2 Tbsp tamari (or low sodium soy sauce)
1 Tbsp honey
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic

Whisk or blend all ingredients together well. I doubled down also put this dressing over my chicken and rice. #billyapproved