Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

We know that vegetables are an important part of just about any balanced diet, but let’s be honest – sometimes eating those salads can be a real drag.  The good news is that there are endless options when it comes to dressing them up.  A good dressing or dip can turn the chore of munching veggies into an exciting novelty.  This easy, healthy vinaigrette from Fixed on Fresh is a perfect example.  A few basic, fresh ingredients, a couple of minutes of prep time, and voila!  You might even find yourself scrambling to replace your afternoon snack with a salad, just for an excuse to enjoy the fresh zing of this homemade dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup water

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 1 large or 2 small lemons)

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon minced shallot

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

• 1 tablespoon minced chives

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, add all ingredients and whisk together. Alternatively, add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.  Secure the lid and shake well to mix.

Notes

• You can serve this immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.  The oil and water-based ingredients will separate over time, so shake or mix well before using.

• If you plan on storing for a few days, consider using another salad oil, such as grapeseed, that won’t solidify in the refrigerator.  Otherwise, check your vinaigrette 10-15 minutes before you plan to use it.  If the olive oil has solidified, you may want to remove it from the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature.

• You can also use this as a marinade for chicken or pork.  Let the flavors inspire you!

Nutrition Facts

Yields 10 servings

Calories 114

Total Fat 11 g

Saturated Fat 2 g

Total Carbohydrates 2 g

Protein 0.1 g