Mint Vinaigrette

This easy to prepare mint vinaigrette with refreshing and bold flavors is a great dressing for either veggie salad or grain based salad. The bright lemon and mint flavors along with a sweet and spicy kick results in a flavor explosion in each and every bite of  salad.

This simple and easy homemade mint dressing is a great idea to drizzle on fresh summer produce for a great and easy meal. This vinaigrette will brighten up any bowl of fresh produce, sprouts, and/or grains and proteins. Slice up a few cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and drizzle this vinaigrette for a quick salad. 

The mint and lemon give a perfect flavor boost to this salad dressing. The bold citrus flavor along with the refreshing mint elevates a simple meal to gourmet salad. Citrus fruits give a classic flavor to salad dressing while providing a good vitamin C and a flavor punch.

The following ingredients are required to make the tasty vinaigrette:

Mint - Fresh mint works best.

Lemon - Lemon juice is used in this recipe. Lime may also be used in place of lemon with minor flavor variation.

Salt - Adds flavor.

Brown sugar - Gives a sweet flavor to the vinaigrette balancing the salt, sour, and spicy flavors.

Olive oil - Neutral oils work great.

Apple cider vinegar - This has a slightly sweet flavor along with the sour or tart flavor and is great to add to vinaigrettes.

Thai green chili - This gives the spicy kick to the dressing. Adjust the quantity of peppers depending on spice tolerance as these peppers are hot.

Garlic - Aromatic and enhances flavor.

Ginger - boosts flavors and aids in digestion.

Is this recipe vegan?

The salad dressing is vegan. Organic brown sugar (which is vegan) is used in this recipe. If a regular version is preferred, honey or sugar can also be used in place of brown sugar. 

Storage

This dressing can be refrigerated for  two to three days. Make sure to store in an airtight container for the best flavor experience.

More ideas…..

Lemon and mint are great flavor pairs and this Malfouf Salad, an easy Lebanese cabbage salad with ultimate flavors.  If you do not love mint, then this zesty lemon vinaigrette is a great choice for you and this would be perfect with this Sorghum Salad or any greens salad. Have you tried other citrus flavors? Orange can also be used to make a delicious Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette, another family favorite to use in this Strawberry Spinach Salad or this Greens and Orange Salad.

Ingredients

Mint - 1 cup

Lemon juice - 1/4 cup

Apple cider vinegar - 1/4 cup

olive oil - 1/3 cup

Salt - 1 and 1/4 tsp

Brown sugar - 2 tbsp

Ginger - 1.5 in piece, chopped

Garlic - 4 cloves, chopped

Thai green chili - 2 or 3, chopped

Method

Add the mint, salt, ginger, garlic, Thai chili peppers, brown sugar to a mini food processor and blitz by adding half of the lemon juice to a slightly coarse texture.

Transfer this to a bowl. Add the remaining lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil and whisk well.

Store in the refrigerator until use. Drizzle on the salad as needed.

Welcome to Herb Week where we let the herbs be the star of the recipe and not just a garnish. Mint, dill, sage, and cilantro are just a few of the herbs we are celebrating this week. 

Wednesday’s Herb Week Recipes

• Grilled Pandan Chicken WIngs from Palatable Pastime
• Grilled Lamb Chops and Green Harissa from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures