As if being vegan isn’t enough, I decided recently to go “oil-free”. This really puts a wrench in cuisine, until you learn how to do it that is. One of the areas where I was most affected by this health decision was in the form of salad dressing. I was a huge fan of the typical Italian dressing…olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s easy, light, delicious and it just makes eating the salad enjoyable. But what should I do now? Hence, the need for this post, to introduce the oil-free & vegan creamy dill dressing.
As plant-based eaters, we’re always looking for the nuts in our recipes and sauces. A typical base for our sauces is a cashew base. Well, I find myself even growing tired of that option. Which is why I’m quite pleased with my new, oil-free & vegan creamy dill dressing. A mouth full, I know…but I had to get all the attributes in the name, otherwise, who cares! This is a delightful creamy, light dressing with the base of sunflower seeds, followed by the soothing taste of dill, herbs and spices. I like that.
The nutty vegan
Sunflower seeds in general are simple and delicious and offer a large value for their small unassuming size. Sunflower seeds are loaded with health benefits. From aiding in arthritis, digestion, cancer prevention, to healthy skin and hair, I’m happy to use a strong source of goodness in any meal. You might be wondering why I would swap one fat (olive oil for example) for another (nut fats)? The answer is olive oil and other oils are calorie dense, and nutrient poor. Where with nuts, avocado’s and nut butters are nutrient dense and tend to be less caloric and healthier for the body in the long run. The body uses nutrient dense fats in an entirely different way than it will oils.
Don’t limit yourself however to salad dressing. This is a sauce that really can be poured on whatever you’d like. Thanks to the harmonic combination of dill and sunflower seeds, this sauce compliments anything from rice, to pasta, to lentils or chips. I think you’ll love the taste and the health benefits all found in one simple little dressing.
Oil Free & Vegan Creamy Dill Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup oat milk
- 2 TBS lemon juice fresh
- 1 bunch chives fresh
- 1 clove garlic fresh
- 2 TBS dill fresh or dry
- 1 small hot pepper if desired
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 TBS mustard
Instructions
- I like to have my sauces easily accessible for when I need them, therefor, I keep them in one basic note book, and that book never leaves my kitchen.
- This is a simple recipe and takes literally a minute to make. You just need to have the ingredients on hand. If you happen to have fresh garlic (from your garden, even better!) then use it-green stalk and all.
- combine the ingredinets: dried sunflower seeds
- and the rest into your high powered mixer.
- Whip until smooth
- pour onto salad
- and enjoy!
