Spring is finally here and this time of the year we usually crave something fresh, light, and full of vitamins. A salad naturally comes to mind. It is easy to put a fresh green salad together, but what about the dressing? Traditional dressings are often loaded with polyunsaturated seed oil, sugars or dairy, which can cause inflammation and weight gain because of all the calories they contain. Luckily, there is a solution. Oil-free vegan dressings!
In this post I will share two oil-free dressings which I adopted from Kimberly Snyder's book The Beauty Detox Solution (thank you, Kimberly!) and have been using quite often.
They are loaded with fresh herbs, flavor and amazing health benefits, and both taste great!
Vegan Oil-Free Red Pepper and Cilantro Dressing
Get the recipe here.
If you like red peppers, this dressing is for you. It has so much flavor that you won't miss the oil. Fresh cilantro, garlic and lemon juice contribute to the bold taste, and miso paste adds the umami flavor. Omitting oil in this recipe helps reduce total calorie count without compromising taste or flavor.
Red bell peppers are packed with antioxidants. They contain more than 200 percent of your daily vitamin C intake and are also rich in vitamins A and K. Vitamin C helps repair and regenerate collagen, the protein that gives structure to our skin. Red bell peppers are also a good source of silicon, which diminishes wrinkles and makes skin more supple and youthful. One thing to keep in mind though is that red peppers belong to the nightshade family (which also includes white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and other vegetables) and contain solanine, a chemical which some people believe may aggravate arthritis pain or inflammation, although there is no sufficient research to support that. The best thing is to try it for yourself and, if you notice any negative symptoms, to avoid these vegetables.
Cilantro helps remove heavy metals (like mercury) from our bodies that set in and enlarge the fat cells which can cause cellulite. This cleansing process called chelation can be significant in preventing aging, because heavy metals can disrupt normal tissue function. Upon removing heavy metals, the tissues can begin to heal and function normally.
These are just some of the benefits of the main ingredients of this delicious dressing. It also contains garlic, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, which are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. Ready to give it a try?
Get the recipe here.
Vegan Oil-Free Basil Lover's Dressing
Get the recipe here.
Not only this dressing is super-clean and healthy, it's bursting with flavor and is absolutely delicious! Nutritional yeast and apple cider vinegar add some tangyness to the taste, and miso paste rounds it all up creating a well-balanced dressing.
Basil is a great widely-used herb which many people love (myself included), but what I didn't know was that basil possesses some amazing health benefits. Here is an excerpt from the article "5 Health Benefits of Basil You Never New" describing some of them.
Basil Contains Powerful Antioxidants
This may be surprising considering many people associate antioxidants with things like berries, but guess what? One of the best health benefits of Basil is that it is another excellent source of antioxidants as well! Basil contains water soluble flavonoids called rientin and viceninare which can help to protect white blood cells. Basil has also been known to help fight free radical damage.
Basil is an Anti-inflammatory Herb
Here’s another excellent anti-inflammatory herb to add to the list! Inflammation has become a widespread issue seen today and is the root cause of nearly every chronic disease. Consuming foods to cool inflammation is essential for optimal health. The essential oils in basil are what’s responsible for helping to beat inflammation.
Basil may Help Fight Cancer
Another plant-based herb that has the ability to help the body fight cancer! Studies have been published in the journal of Nutrition and Cancer stating that basil contains phytochemicals which may be able to naturally help prevent cancer!
Basil Contains Natural Antibacterial Properties
If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your immune system or fight off pre-existing infections, basil may do the trick! Basil extract has even been shown to help in inhibiting resistant strains of bacteria that are unable to respond to antibiotics. Pretty amazing, right!
Basil Acts as a Natural Adaptogen
Adaptogenic herbs help your body deal with stress, and with the amount of stress seen today everyone needs some help balancing stress loads! Studies have now shown that basil may have the ability to act as an adaptogen to help the body more efficiently handle stress.
Sounds pretty amazing, doesn't it? Just another reason to try this delicious healthy dressing.
Get the recipe here.
Happy cooking!
Julia
Here are some other oil-free vegan dressings to try: