Balsamic Vinaigrette

I was craving for some light food since I've been lazy and buying Wendy's Apple Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad with their refreshing Pomegranate Vinaigrette.  So I decided to make my all time favorite basic dressing here.  Real fast and quick if you have all the ingredients in your cupboard and fridge.   

Ingredients:

1 tsp garlic, grated or finely minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:

Whisk vinegar, mustard, lemon juice salt and black pepper in bowl using stainless steel whisk. Slowly add oil, whisking until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Get your toss salad greens and drizzle the dressing over!!  Ono it's kaukau time!!  Enjoy!!  :D

My Salad-In-a-Jar

1 quart mason jars

Veggies

dressing

Vegan Asian Salad with Hoisin Sesame Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1lb fresh rinsed spinach
1 head romaine lettuce chopped
1/4lb mung bean sprouts
1 carrot peeled shredded
1 cucumber sliced and diced
1 large tomato sliced into wedges or 10 cherry tomatoes
1 green bell pepper seeded and chopped
2 nori sheets cut into flakes
chinese parsley or cilantro chopped
1 tsp ginger root minced
1 clove garlic crushed and minced fine


Dressing:

balsamic vinegar
hoisin sauce
sesame oil
extra virgin oil
black pepper


Procedure:

Cut veggies according to your preference. Combine in mixing bowl drizzle dressing either premix or straight drizzled from the bottle like me and toss.  No salt needed.  Hoisin is perfectly salty by itself.  Also add chili pepper flakes if you like it spicy.  Also can add slices of fresh oranges or canned mandarin too.

The tanginess of the balsamic with the sweetness of the hoisin along with the smoky sesame oil is a wonderful
combination I found out.   You'll love it too!


Yields about 2 big bowls for me or 4 servings!!  LOL

Enjoy kaukau time!!

Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove
1/4 cup quaity Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
pinch of salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
3/4 cup quality extra virgin olive oil
sugar or sweetener optional to your taste or none for a zero carb dressing

Method:

Add the Balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and salt, pepper, and garlic.

Give it a quick whisk  allowing the mustard and vinegar to combine and begin to emulsify.

Or you can cheat like I do and use my salad dressing mixer shown below which I purchased from Pampered Chef along with the garlic press!

Begin to slowly add the olive oil until well combined, being careful to add just a little bit at a time so the dressing will emulsify, the mustard should help emulsification so don't leave it out. 

You can add other ingredients, herbs and spices to kick it up a notch it's up to you.  But this is the basic recipe I use.

Store in a glass jar for about a week.

Ono!!  Enjoy with your Apple Orchard Chicken Salad!!

:)

What Are the Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar?

Balsamic vinegar is made of sweet trebbiano grape pressings. The grape pressings are boiled until these turn dark. The syrup is prepared for the aging process. The dark syrup is placed into oaken kegs with a certain vinegar to begin the process of aging. Through the years, the kegs become smaller before being placed on the market. When the moisture evaporates, it thickens and concentrates the flavor of the vinegar. Many people have used balsamic vinegar to treat infections, wounds and body aches.

Digestive Aid

Erica Brigati, a registered dietitian, states on Livestrong.com that balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants, called polyphenols that "may boost the activity of the digestive enzyme pepsin. This enzyme helps to break proteins down into smaller amino acids." According to Ms. Brigati, this process enhances the immune system, metabolism, cellular repair, and muscle building. Balsamic vinegar also contains acetic acid, which helps the body absorb certain minerals that can strengthen bones. Reduces Fat
Reducing fat in the body is another health benefit of balsamic vinegar. Using it as a substitute for regular salad dressing or mayonnaise can reduce overall fat and calorie intake.

Diabetes

Using balsamic vinegar with meals can help control diabetes. Ms. Brigati states, "It appears that as little as five teaspoons of the vinegar with a meal can improve insulin sensitivity." Better insulin levels means having better control of diabetes. Antioxidant Activity
Balsamic vinegar's antioxidants, such as polyphenols, protect the body from cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants protect from cell damage and improve the immune system. Antioxidants guard against harmful radicals in the body. Ms Brigati reports, "More research is needed though to further evaluate the polyphenol content of balsamic vinegar and their exact mechanisms of action."

Other Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar

Marion Volk, a lecturer, practitioner and registered provider, states at Alstudio.com that balsamic vinegar can help reduce headaches and lower the risk for anemia. She points out that balsamic can suppress appetite, and help to control weight. Ms. Volk also reports that adding balsamic vinegar into a diet can help an individual to become more energetic, and less fatigued.