Salad dressing made easy

As the weather starts warming up, salads start appearing on the menu. We all want to eat healthier and possibly get slimmer for the summer months, but plain salads can be so boring – so use these easy recipes to dress up your salads!

Rapeseed oil is perfect for salad dressings, not only due to the numerous health benefits you can glean from it, but also because it has a great colour and mild taste. Here’s some basic recipes to turn even the most basic of salads into something special.

Basic Vinaigrette dressing

When it comes to making the basic Vinaigrette, it really is easy and quick. You need to combine 3 parts oil with 1 part vinegar. And of course, using Rapeseed oil will ensure you’re sticking to the healthiest possible option!

As a good starting point, opt for:

• 120ml of Rapeseed oil
• 40ml of white wine vinegar

Add in a pinch of seasoning and mix together. A jam jar with a screw top lid makes the perfect mixing AND storage container.

Fresh herb dressing

Now you have the basic Vinaigrette dressing sorted, you can start experimenting by adding herbs. This truly is limited only by your preferences and availability. Try different herbs and see which you find to be your new favourite:

Chopped herbs:

• Basil
• Sage
• Tarragon
• Parsley

Just add them to your basic Vinaigrette and shake to blend. If you’re looking to use woody herbs, such as Rosemary or Thyme, take a sprig of herb, place in the oil and leave to infuse for a while.

And of course, don’t forget about a Garlic option – simply add in a finely chopped clove of garlic to the basic recipe.

Honey and mustard dressing

If you like the sound of this dressing, you’re again opting for the 3:1 ratio, but replacing the white wine vinegar with cider vinegar and adding in the extra ingredients, e.g.:

• 120ml Rapeseed oil
• 40ml cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. coarse mustard
• Seasoning to taste

Chili and lime dressing

Finally, if you’d like a dressing that packs more of a punch to your salad, try out this favourite:

• 120ml Rapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 1-2 small red chilies, finely chopped (depending on taste preferences!)
• The juice from 1 lime

Combine all of the ingredients together and shake well.

Please tell me in the comments box, if you have any other favourite salad dressing recipes using Duchess Rapeseed Oil - it would be great to share them with our readers.