With all the seed oils and preservatives in conventional salad dressings, an easy thing to do to optimize your health is to make your own! Here are three of my go to dressings I prepare often in my household. Happy summer salad season!

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • 2Tbsp honey

  • 1Tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1/2tsp sea salt

  • 1/2tsp pepper

  • 1 large garlic clove minced

  • 1/4cup balsamic vinegar

  • 3/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, balsamic, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic. Add the oil and whisk thoroughly to combine. Continue whisking until the dressing is fully emulsified.

  • Store in a jar with a lid and refrigerate. Shake well before serving. Enjoy!

Sesame Ginger Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (or sub coconut aminos)

  • 4-6 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

  • 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced

  • 1-2 tablespoon freshly minced ginger

  • Optional if you want a creamy dressing: add 2 tablespoon tahini or cashew butter

Instructions:

Make the dressing by whisking together the following in a medium bowl or shaking in a mason jar: sesame oil, olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, garlic and fresh ginger. If you want a creamier dressing, add in a tablespoon of tahini or cashew butter.

Basic Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin

  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

  • 1 tsp dijon mustard

  • salt

  • pepper

Instructions:

Add in mustard, vinegar, oil and a dash of salt and pepper into a bowl or jar. Mix with whisk or shake until mixed. Taste and add accordingly. Some people prefer a dressing to be heavier on the oil and others prefer it to be more balanced or acidic based. A healthier version would have less oil. It's up to your personal preference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since 2005, Dr. Fey has helped women, men, and children find real solutions to their health concerns. She truly believes that giving the proper care and nutrients your body has an amazing ability to heal. She is committed to finding the root cause of illness by utilizing a whole body approach not just focusing solely on presenting symptoms. With her scientific background, Dr. Fey uses science based natural approaches to treating disease.

Dr. Amanda Fey is the owner and practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Complementary Medicine & Healing Arts, the Southern Tiers Center for Natural Healthcare located in the Binghamton NY area. The office website is www.naturallywell.us. Dr. Fey is currently offering telemedicine for patients all across the US. To contact the office, call 607-729-0591 or email cmhahealth@gmail.com.  

For weekly health tips, check out Dr. Fey’s social media pages! She’s on Instagram: @drfeynd and Facebook: Dr. Amanda Fey, ND.