A Taste of the Tropics
Nicer weather is right around the corner, and whether you're lucky enough to be going on a spring break vacation somewhere beach-y and warm, or not, these 3 salad dressings will get you in the mood!
Some of the most common questions I get are,
“What kind of dressing do you put on your salads?
How can I make my salads more interesting and enjoyable?”
If you know me, then you know I love raw foods and I love color--and the two just so happen to go hand-in-hand!
SOS: Raw Foods To The Rescue
Store-bought dressings are typically loaded with SOS--salt, oil, and sugar--all of which can lead to inflammation, weight gain, high blood sugar, and more. All that you really need to add a burst of flavor, healthy fats, and color to your salad are a few raw foods you might already have at home!
Three Tropical 3-Ingredient Salad Dressings
Raw fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds are living foods--because they are unprocessed and have not been exposed to heat, they retain all of their beneficial enzymes and nutrients, meaning more bang for your buck, and better overall health! These 3 raw dressings are bold, bright, delicious, and nutritious; try them drizzled on your favorite leafy greens, as a dip with fruits and/or veggies, or as a sauce on your dinnertime meal.
raw vegan, gluten-free, tropical, vibrant & delicious
Tropical Mango Hemp
This dressing is sweet, creamy, and smooth, and is full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A & C, and protein! I enjoy using this dressing on my Mexican-inspired Rainbow Fiesta Salad, and it also serves well as a fruit dip or a pudding, all by itself!
ingredients:
- 1 ripe, juicy mango (or 1.5c frozen, thawed)
- juice of 1.5 limes
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
method:
- Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Hot Pink Lemon Tahini
If you're craving a tangy, salty-flavored dressing, this one is my go-to! Tahini and lemon whipped together, create a thick and smooth dressing for a more savory salad, and a touch of pitaya (dragon fruit) powder adds the perfect pop of tropical color. This dressing is amazing atop a Mediterranean-inspired salad, and also goes great on top of baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
ingredients:
- 2tbsp raw tahini
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp pitaya powder (or small chunk of red beet or beet root powder--for color)
method:
- Place all ingredients into a dish and whisk until smooth. Add a touch of water if dressing becomes too thick for your liking. If using raw beet, use a blender instead of whipping.
Sunny Pineapple Carrot Ginger
This dressing is another bold bright, that's zesty, sweet, and slightly spicy, with a touch of texture. Ginger and pineapple are fantastic at fighting inflammation, and this recipes also boasts a healthy does of vitamins A & C. I enjoy eating this one on an Asian-inspired salad, or by itself--almost like an applesauce, or fruit pureé! Because this one is fat-free, you may opt to include a nut or seed like slivered almonds or walnuts to your salad!
ingredients:
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1/2c pineapple, chopped
- 1tsp ginger root, minced
method:
- Pour all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
As Seen On YouTube
Join in on the EatMoveRest YouTube channel to watch as I whip up these bold, bright dressings and share a kale snack with Beau! Be sure to Subscribe and join the EatMoveRest fam, give us a Thumbs Up, leave us some love in the Comments below, and Share with friends and family!
A Healthy Dose Of Sunshine
I don't know where you're at, but here in Nebraska we've had a long, cold winter with plenty of snow. If you're feeling a little blue, these dressings should brighten your bowl, spice up your salads, and bring some sunshine into your life!
I'm looking forward to bringing you more colorfully delicious recipes soon, but until next time, EatMoveRest Your Best!
