{the recipe redux} lemon-basil flax dressing
Friday, June 21, 2013 at 9:53AM
To kick off the start of summer, The Recipe ReDux is asking members to share how they're "sowing seeds" this summer... in recipes, not gardens. With the increasing popularity of hemp, chia and quinoa (which is a seed, not a grain much to many people's surprise), the opportunities to incorporate nutrient-rich seeds in recipes are plentiful. But I decided to revisit with what has now become a kitchen staple for many healthy kitchens - flaxseed.
The thing with many seeds is that our bodies aren't necessarily equipped to get all the good out of them without a little help (digestion only does so much :). That's why it's crucial to turn flaxseed into flaxmeal (or let a company like King Arthur Flour do it for you... that's where I get my whole flax meal.)
Ground flaxseed or "flax meal" is wonderful for baked goods. It can be used to replace some of the fat or eggs or even add a little fiber to your flour. But I've chosen it for a salad dressing because of its affinity for water and thickening. Using ground flaxseed in your dressing means you can use a little less oil (translate: save a few calories) AND have a thick dressing that stands up to big, bold summer flavors. Plus, it doesn't separate like a traditional vinaigrette, making it an ideal choice for make-ahead summer entertaining.
I hope you'll give it a try, along with all of the other ReDux posts listed below.
P.S. See that image of me holding the dressing? My six year old took it. Seriously. It's nice to have a photo assistant in the family!
Lemon-Basil Flax Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Place ground flaxseed in a medium jar; add water and shake to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and remaining ingredients. Shake well to combine.
As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoy!
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