This was my version of a perfect Sunday dinner. Homemade salads, homemade dressing and a sunset picnic with my kids at the lake. It was so magical that I just had to share this equally as magical homemade dressing.
I love making salad dressings from scratch. My favorite as of late has been this super easy Lemon Ginger Detox Dressing. It is light but tangy; slightly sweet with a gingery kick. All you need is a handful of fresh, detoxifying ingredients and a high-speed blender. By choosing a colorful, veggie filled salad for lunch you’ve already taken the first step to deflamming your body. Now kick it up a notch by topping it with a dressing full of beneficial ingredients like fresh lemon, ginger, olive oil and apple cider vinegar.
Nothing is worse than preparing a beautiful, healthy salad and topping it off with a dressing that detracts from health! Many store-bought dressings contain inflammatory ingredients and almost none are SCD legal. Just take a look at the label of even the “healthiest” dressings and you will likely find at least one of these undesirable ingredients:
Ingredients in Most Store-bought dressings
Inflammatory, highly refined oils– Soybean and canola are the most popular dressing oils. Both are highly refined and contain a high amount of Omega-6 fatty acid (the bad omega acid that promotes inflammation). These oils are used because they are inexpensive and to keep the dressings in a liquid form once refrigerated. Using unrefined, pressed oils like olive, avocado or coconut will turn solid once chilled.
Emulsifiers and gums– Neither of these types of ingredients are SCD legal. They are used in commercial dressings to keep the oil and acid components from separating. Adding these ingredients is all about the look of the dressing. Separated dressings might not look as appealing to the consumer.
Sugar– Don’t be fooled with the vocabulary! Dextrose, maltodextrin, sucrose, brown rice syrup, date paste and others…all equal sugar.
Preservatives or other ingredients to “extend shelf life”
If you do take the time to read all of the labels, you will find a few dressings that avoid most of all of the above ingredients. The Primal Kitchen brand is one that I will choose every now and then. My daughter, who follows the SCD diet, has had no problem eating the Primal Kitchen Greek dressing. But because their ingredients are pretty simple, I usually think to myself “I can just make this at home”. And I do! I don’t need to question the ingredients and I definitely save money.
Interested in other zippy, whole food dressings? Try topping your salad with this Tangy Carrot Ginger Dip. It’s another family favorite!
Top your healthy salad with an even more beneficial dressing! This super easy Lemon Ginger Detox Dressing is light but tangy; slightly sweet with a gingery kick. All you need is a handful of fresh, detoxifying ingredients and a high-speed blender.
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh ginger- peeled and chopped
1 Tbsp honey
pinch of salt
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and process until completely smooth.
Store in an airtight glass jar for up to 5-7 days.
Notes
Dressing will separate and solidify when chilled. THIS IS NORMAL. Place the dressing on the counter and allow it to warm up to re-liquify. Shake well before drizzling. Enjoy!
