I’m loving big lunch salads now. It’s been especially hot through June and July in BC, excepting the last couple of days. Far more heat and sun than usual this time of year. So, I’m digging lots of fresh salads, along with more fresh fruit (in and out of salads)!
I’m guessing many of you are in the same dietary mode, as I get a lot of feedback on my salad dressings. Especially my oil-free sauces and dressings. I’ve learned a few tricks over the last few years for making tasty, healthy salad dressings – and with many flavor variations.
I still plan to bring you that salad dressings ebook (update: now available!). For sure! Things have been busy with book promotion that I’m not quite organized enough to pull together the ebook – just yet. So, I wanted to share a recipe that some of you already have. It was one of the 15 recipes that was a gift for preorders of PPF. I do plan to honor that “gift” and not blog all of the recipes – but this one is particularly special and seasonal. Hopefully those of you that did preorder won’t be upset that I share some salad luv right now.
Couple of notes: Do not overdo the shallots or green onions. Just a hint of flavor is best. Also, I use frozen mango, which can be tricky to measure. Don’t sweat an *exact* measure. You can always adjust to taste after. Finally… enjoy!
x Dreena
Mango-Hemp Dressing
I keep frozen mango on hand for morning smoothies. One day I wanted a fruity, fresh dressing so pulled out the frozen mango. This dressing came to life and will bring new life to your daily salads! Makes about 1 cup.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mango chunks ok to measure roughly, I use frozen
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice or red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup water + 2–3 tsp or more if desired to thin out
- 1/2 tbsp chopped shallots or 1 tbsp of the whitish portion of green onions
- 1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup or agave nectar or more to taste, as needed
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, puree all ingredients (starting with 1/4 cup water and 1 tbsp maple syrup) until very smooth. Taste, and add additional water to thin as desired, and extra maple syrup to sweeten if needed.
Recipe Notes
Note: I like the flavor of this dressing just as it is. But, if you’d like to pair this with some spicy foods or add a punch of flavor, try adding in 1–2 tbsp chopped cilantro or basil while pureeing. Kid note: Our girls enjoy this dressing. You can opt to omit the green onions/shallots, but it’s such a small amount that kiddos usually are okay with it.
photo credit: Nicole Axworthy
Kathy
This is absolutely delicious I never eat much dressing with my salad but don’t today I have 3 ozs of this pure yummyness
Will keep in fridge at all times!!!
Thank you much for this recipe
Tammy
This dressing was fantastic. I used it on a salad but can think of a hundred other uses for it….coleslaw, on veggie burgers, dip for veggies or crackers, on tacos…. just to name a few. I used lime juice, fresh mango and a tiny pinch of stevia. Thank you for a great recipe.
alice toth
Amazing salad dressing! Our vegan family is going oil-free and after my husband tried it tonight, he said “Keep this recipe!”. I think it would be really delicious for a cold slaw dressing too!
Angie
My carnivorous husband really liked this! And so did I!
Chris
Thank you for this. It is delightful!
Jeannette Carroll
Freshly made. Oh dear, this will be a favorite. Will try the cilantro in another batch and possibly add some poppy seed. Thank you!
Dreena
Delighted to hear it, thanks Jeannette!
brandy
Sadly, I am not able to digest hemp…what would you suggest I substitute?
Donna Peterson
I just read that 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds equals 30 grams of protien.
gardenkat
30 grams per 100grams of hemp. 1 Tablespoon of Hemp seed is 3 grams protein per USDA Nutritional Data Base. Dressing sounds delicious!
John Pedro Rachor
Salads are going to be upgraded in my go-to-work lunch pail with a dressing recipe like this, and the upcoming e-book.
Pardon, is the hemp nutritionally inspired or is it for the flavor/taste?
Thanks from Michigan!
Dreena
Great, hope you enjoy it, John! The hemp does add nutrition, but also adds texture – helps brings a creaminess to the dressing along with the frozen mango.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
What a wonderful flavor idea Dreena! We do salads year round – but I’m always getting my food seasons backward – darn heat and AC!
Passade
This makes a great addition to my glutten free diet. Thanks a lot for sharing. 🙂
Anna
I made it and linked you in the insta-post – it was amazing <3
Dreena
thanks Anna!
Anna
Dreena, this seriously made my day! I can basically make it from the all the things I have left in the fridge (leaving for vacation in a few days and don’t wanna shop ;)) and it sounds so awesome! Thanks for sharing <3
Dreena
well this makes my day! Hope you love it, thanks Anna – enjoy your vacay.
Kyra @ Vie De La Vegan
This is so creative, Dreena! I can’t wait to see that salad dressing ebook once you pull it together. Salad dressings are something I struggle with, but I can totally see this dressing making a salad more kid-friendly. Thank you for sharing this 🙂
Dreena
Thank you Kyra, I really have to get on that ebook. I just love pulling sauces and dressings together. Hope you like this one. 🙂