Olive Oil & Salads: Perfect Combination

Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or you simply like vegetables, salads are usually a safe way to get a healthy meal. However, a good dressing is what distinguishes your salad from other kinds of vegetable-based meals. But hey, what if we told you, La Española proposes 3 salad dressings that will make this year’s Spring season one to remember! Are you in for a flavorful journey? 

1.- Caesar Salad Dressing

One of the queen dressings of this blog, that's for sure, to whose name accompanies the nickname by which this type of salad is known. Made up of iceberg lettuce, chicken strips, croutons, cheese and some very crispy bacon this delicious but classic option is a must when it comes to salads. Going back to the cesar sauce, though, it is worth also noting it does not need much of an introduction because we all know it! Let's now talk about the ingredients and how to prepare it:

You will need the following:
3 egg yolks
30gr of anchovies
1 garlic clove
100ml of La Española Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 grain mustard teaspoon
Lemon juice
Parmesan Cheese

The trick? Prepare the anchovies and garlic on one side, until you get a paste, and the rest of the ingredients on the other side. Finally, add the olive oil very slowly and voila!

2.- Mustard Vinaigrette

A generous spoonful of Dijon mustard will make this vinaigrette a creamy explosion of flavor. Use the dressing with sturdy salad greens like romaine or with softer lettuces like Bibb lettuce or oak leaf - But remember, the dressing is too strong to work with baby salad greens or mesclun. It’s also great with cooked vegetables like beets or broccoli and with grain salads!

You will need the following:

1 Rounded tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 ½ Tablespoons of La Española Sherry Vinegar.
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
 Salt
 Freshly ground pepper
½ Cup of La Española Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 
1 small garlic clove

This mustard vinaigrette recipe is one of the simplest variations on the basic vinaigrette formula and a delicious salad dressing in its own right. This is not to say that simple is not as good as complex - if anything it can be an opportunity to get creative and add a personal touch to one of the most popular salad dressings out there!

 
3.- Vegan Ranch Dressing

This cool, tangy and garlicky salad dressing is just as good as the real thing! Made with simple ingredients like cashews and lemon juice, it's creamy and delicious. All that, and it’s made with simple, plant-based ingredients that you likely have in your pantry already. Once you try it, you’ll never reach for store bought ranch – vegan or otherwise – again!

Raw cashews
Fresh chopped cucumber
Lemon juice 
Garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast
Dried dill
And sea salt

​​​​​​​
Versatile and delicious, it’s a fun way to dress up veggies, salads, sandwiches, and more. Once you have it on hand, you’ll find all sorts of ways to use it!

Does this sound like you; You put a good deal of time and effort into creating a beautiful salad (washing delicate greens, chopping veggies, layering everything just so) only to finish your masterpiece with a store-bought bottle of dressing? We’ve all been there — and that’s why everyone needs these quick-and-delicious recipes to brighten your Spring season and get creative in one of the most fun places within a home: the kitchen!

4.- Yogurt Dip

Who says the sauce is only good for dressing the salad? It also accompanies many vegetables, creating simple, delicious and very healthy recipes! Surely you've heard of the famous dips that give a touch of flavor to carrot sticks, celery, peppers and even potatoes! Try this yogurt dip

150gr Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove
Lemon
Ground black pepper
Salt

The good thing is that this is a very versatile option that always looks good on any table. Extra tip: grate the garlic instead of mincing it so that it blends better with the rest of the ingredients.