In the March/April issue of Cuisine Magazine they feature a few sauces that are quite versatile, and I am always looking for something to jazz up an omelet or a salad. In Tucson I have to go to Sprouts to find non-dairy substitutes for typical ingredients, and so I discovered non-dairy yogurt products quite some time ago.
Previously, when I lived in Guam, dairy substitutes were unknown; that was back in the Nineties before I moved to Arizona. When I discovered my dairy allergy, which includes lactose-free products unfortunately, I had something of a time cutting milk products out of my diet. It meant refraining from quite a few foods with nothing to put in their place.
But now there is Tofutti, Soy Cream and Whole Soy. There's Imo sour cream substitute and life is good. So I can recommend these dressings/sauces whole-heartedly even if you are like me and have to find the non-dairy substitutes.
CREAMY TOMATO DRESSING
Ingredients:
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
1 clove garlic
1 Tablespoon milk
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Just place all the ingredients except the salt and pepper in a blender or food processor and puree. When the dressing is thoroughly mixed, taste it and season to taste with the salt and pepper.
Try this over an omelet! It will go well with the hot eggs.
Now, for what to do with yogurt, here is a salad dressing that goes particularly well with fresh fruit. If you buy mixed greens and slice up some fresh strawberries, blueberries or whatever other fruit you like, try this dressing over the fruit salad and you will like it.
CREAMY LEMON-POPPY SEED DRESSING
Ingredients:
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3 Tablespoons honey
Zest of 1 fresh lemon
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4 cup vegetable oil such as canola, safflower or grapeseed
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all the ingredients except the salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk or beat them together until the dressing is thoroughly blended.
Taste the dressing when it is mixed and season to taste with the salt and pepper. Store any unused dressing in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Now there are two pretty sauces that can liven up your cooking: a tangy tomato that will even go over warm food and a classic poppy-seed salad dressing. They are both easy to make and will be remembered.
Comments