Creamy Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

If there’s one convenience item I’d love to encourage you to avoid (forever!), it’s a shop bought salad dressing! The list of nasties are endless and if you’re looking for a healthier, fresher and delicious alternative, you’d be surprised how easy it is to make your own homemade dressing, invariably using store cupboard ingredients. This homemade creamy lemon dijon vinaigrette is a versatile dressing that you can not only use on salads but also on steamed vegetables or even as a marinade for fish and chicken. If you’re a Balsamic vinegar fan as I am, this works equally well substituting the lemon juice for Balsamic (or any other) vinegar.

Homemade Creamy Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

Traditionally, a vinaigrette is made from 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar or lemon. However, when using fresh lemons, I prefer to reduce this to 2 parts lemon, as it can be too acidic. However, feel free to adjust the quantities according to your own preferences.

2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Lemon juice
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt & Pepper

Simply….

Combine in a jar and shake well!

 

TIP: Adding mustard to the vinaigrette not only tastes good, but acts as an emulsifier to ensure that the lemon juice and oil combine well.

VARIATIONS:

  • Using alternative vinegars such as Balsamic, White Wine or Apple Cider all work well with Dijon Mustard
  • If you’d like to take the edge of the “sourness”, you can add 1/2 tsp honey for a slightly sweeter dressing
  • Add other ingredients for a different twist, eg finely chopped fresh/dried herbs, finely chopped shallots or lemon zest

ALTERNATIVE USES:

  • This works particularly well with a traditional Greek Salad
  • Add a “zing” to steamed vegetables such as French Beans, Broccoli or Cauliflower
  • This makes a great marinade for chicken or fish

Nutritional Nugget

The acidity of the lemon juice enhances the already acidic environment in the stomach, encouraging the digestive enzymes to work more efficiently. Having a salad starter is an ideal way to prepare the stomach for the rest of the meal and ensure efficient digestion. To understand more about the role of stomach acid in digestion, CLICK HERE