In search of raw nut/seed salad dressing recipes...

I'm imagining making these involves a food processor and soaked nuts/seeds, perhaps some salt or other spices. Anything else? Anyone (raVen)?

Hi, 'el cirriped ,

You can use thinned out dips for dressings, such as hummous.

I don't write anything down! Sorry. I just throw things into my blender as I go to taste. But here are some suggestions and tips for you on how I do it:

I make my nut dressings (raw) daily; basically, take whatever nut you feel like using and throw that into the blender, then adjust taste with various herbs, spices, or vegetable scraps. I use water to thin it; you can use juice.

Some people use oil. Add liquids last, so you can control texture.

Avocado is a super yummy base for dressings, as well as in raw desserts (yummy pudding); try it!.

I eat raw, but beans as a base works nicely and makes a very thick and creamy base to add nuts to (or, if you want a fat-free creamy dressing, just use beans). I used to like to use white beans (any); but darker beans will work, just know they will bring their unique flavor to the finished dressing. Garbanzos are excellent also. Using this base allows you to control the fat or use less nuts, seeds, or oil. Helps to add volume as well, while keeping it low-to-no fat

Of course you can use tofu as well; silken would be best for a dressing base.

I almost always put in onion scraps and sometimes garlic, sometimes both. I use a souring agent for variety occasionally, anything from vinegars (flavored are great too) to fresh lime juice (add last to get it to your taste).

One of my favorite additions that I use very often is red or orange bell pepper -- makes awesome dressing! A tomato or two can be added (to change the flavor) or can be a base for a dressing too.

-I use Nama Shoyu (soy sauce) and/OR Miso for the salt (and wonderfully complex flavor); or use Celtic/Himalayan salt for variety.

-Mustard is nice sometimes. Umeboshi vinegar is great too (contains salt so taste before adding any salt)

-I don't use spices or herbs much anymore, but, for example, if I was out of onions or garlic, I'd use my dried onion and garlic powders; this also alters the flavors. But you can add what you like.

So you can see, I can get a great deal of variety in flavoring -- it's endless! -- by just omitting an ingredient here and there or adding or subbing ingredients.

I soak the nuts that are more nutritious if soaked; but I don't soak seeds often. I usually soak some the night before in my fridge, if I remember.

I love brazil nuts (so creamy), pecans, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, Hemp, and pistachios -- I love them all actually! And they all lend a different flavor.

I prefer savory dressings, but sweet ones can be made with juices -- orange is especially yummy; or by throwing

in the whole fruit. Berries, papaya, mango, pears -- all are good. I like to use a sweet nut such as cashews or almonds; but any would make a yummy twist.

I use a bit of flax powder occasionally, as needed, if my dressings are watery. If used in larger amounts, flax makes the dressing becomes nauseatingly gummy and viscous (yuk).

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I hope this has been helpful! But do try it; it's SOooo easy to make awesome dressings, AND fast! It also helps to throw in veg scraps to not waste!

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Here are some recipes to help, act as a guide, or inspire :

This is a delicious dressing -- tastes like the "Annie's Goddess" dressing -- which I used to make all the time, calling for sesame seeds in the form of tahini:

Tamari Dressing

2 TB Olive oil

4 TB Tahini

1/2 C water

2 TB lemon juice

3 TB minced red onion

2 TB Tamari (or other soysauce)

Blend all till smooth. Pour over salad or veggies.

My (RaVen's) notes:

-I like to add the water last so as to adjust the consistency to my preference.

-I also like lime juice occasionally.

-I also like to stir in the onions or just pulse them in so as to have the onion texture instead of completely smooth.

-I occasionally add garlic to change the flavor, but it's actually better without it.

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I haven't tried this, but it got good reviews:

Salad Dressing - by NoGMO!:

1 pear

small handful of pine nuts

2 cloves of garlic

a shot or two of apple cider vinegar

some olive oil

dash of sea salt

pinch of cayenne

pinch of dried herb

Blenderize all ingredients.

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And another:

Amazing Salad Dressing - by Vandy

2 ripe tomatoes

1 squeezed lemon

2 oz nama shoyu/braggs

a thumb of ginger (20-22 grams)

2 decent sprigs of dill weed (add basil if you want, it gives a lil kick)

2-3 oz of sesame tahini (how much you prefer)

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

It's up to you if u want to add garlic

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Another:

Ridiculously-Good Ranch Dressing

(From the Frederic Patenaude's Instant Raw Sensations)

Ingredients

1/2 cup tomatoes

1/2 big sweet red bell peppers, or 1 small one

Juice from 1 lime

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or juice of one more small lime or lemon)

1-2 stalks of celery

1/3 cup fresh dill

4 Tbsp almond butter

Instructions: Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

- This dressing is great without salt, but if you want a more intense version, you can add some sea salt and garlic or green onion. Try it first unseasoned.

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More that look good, but I haven't tried:

Thousand Island Dressing - by Rose Lee Calabro from "Living in the Raw"

2 red bell peppers

2 tomatoes

1 c. celery, chopped

1/2 c. pine nuts, soaked 2 hours

1/2 c. sunflower seeds, soaked 6-8 hours and rinsed

1/2 c. fresh parsley

1/2-1 c. water

4 TBS. lemon juice

1 tsp. sea salt

Blend in blender until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasonings to taste

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Ranch Dressing - by Jacki Graff

2 lemons, juiced

1 c. macadamia nuts, soaked 8 hours and drained

3 cloves garlic

1/4 sweet onion

4 stalks celery

2 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 TBS dill (fresh is suggested, but use what you have)

1 tsp. thyme (fresh is suggested, but use what you have)

1 c. Rejuvelac or filtered water

1 medjool date, pitted

1/2 c. olive oil (extra virgin is suggested)

Blend all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil in blender and blend well. Slowly add olive oil to blender as it's blending to a creamy consistency.

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Poppy Seed Dressing

4 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

4 Tablespoon fresh orange juice

1/2 cup soaked almonds

2 Tablespoon green onion

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoon poppy seeds

Place almonds in a bowl, cover with distilled water, and soak overnight. Drain and place all ingredients in blender except poppy seeds. Blend until desired consistency is reached, adding distilled water if needed. Stir poppy seeds

in by hand before serving.

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Darlene’s Favorite Salad Dressing

1/2 avocado, peeled

1 celery stalk

1 tomato

1/4 cup fresh snipped chives

1/4 cup fresh snipped parsley

1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion

1 cup water

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (organic)

2 teaspoons Celtic Sea Salt(or other seasonings)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Chill. Serves 4 to 6.

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Merry's Favorite Salad Dressing

1 avocado (peeled)

1 clove of garlic

Water

Lemon juice or Celtic Sea Salt to taste.

Put avocado and garlic and seasoning in blender with enough water to cover half way. Blend until creamy. Add

water if needed to desired consistency.

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Tahini Salad Dressing

1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

1/2 cup flax, or extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup tahini

1 tablespoon finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1/4 cup distilled water

Celtic Sea Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth.

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Here is a site with dressings:

http://www.fromsadtoraw.com/RawRecipes.htm

Some here, but not all raw:

http://www.healthrecipes.com/healthy_salad_dressings.htm

For the last one calling for clear jel, I would just omit it and use less soy sauce and add water last and only enough to get the right consistency.

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I have "The Saucy Vegetarian" and, if you'd like, I can send you some nut-based dressings from there; I just don't want to post the author's recipes here because she prefers they not be.

I can also send you a list of the recipes and you can choose which ones you'd like me to send you -- No problem!

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Many many thanks, raVen! So many suggestions! One can't help but be inspired. Pistachio salad dressing hadn't even occurred to me!

Great recipes

Can never have enough dressing ideas!