I’ve seen so many homemade salad dressings with 8-10 ingredients. They all look amazing, but who has time for that if you are already cooking all the time? How about a healthy salad dressing with two ingredients that you can make in just minutes? Bonus, you don’t even have to use a blender, Magic Bullet, or Vitamix to make it!
This combo of two simple ingredients shown above is fantastic not to mention healthy! The pumpkin seed oil surprised me with a wonderful nutty flavor. The virgin pumpkin seed oils are dark brown to green in color. When you combine it with the raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, the nutty and tangy flavor mix together delightfully.
I buy my virgin pumpkin seed oil at Whole Foods. Choose unrefined or virgin, cold-pressed organic (when possible). I’ve tried several pumpkin seed oil brands. My favorite is still the brand International Collection Pumpkin Seed oil. If you don’t have a Whole Foods where you can buy it, I’ve found it online at plummarket.com, mybrands.com and international collection.us. The Plum Market is the best price I’ve seen. This brand is currently not available on Amazon or Walmart.com (where it used to be sold). I haven’t seen it at Sprouts or Earthfare. I’m not sure if it is sold at other grocery stores.
This oil is high in Omega 6 even though it is the good kind, but many of us already have too much Omega 6 in our diets. We want to have a balance of the right omegas in our diet. So, I recommend consuming it in moderation (not daily). I eat it once or twice a week on salads. Do not cook with this oil. I consume it raw. I also refrigerate it after opening it. I enjoy drizzling the pumpkin seed oil over steamed spaghetti squash and meat too.
Here’s a link to the ACV. This can be found at almost any grocery store. I strongly recommend you buy this brand with the mother in it. If you opt for the cheaper versions without the mother, you won’t get the health benefits from it. This is the only vinegar I consume in my diet.
Not only is this dressing super easy, but it is also loaded with health benefits too!
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WITH THE MOTHER:
- Aids in digestion
- Assists in lowering blood pressure
- May fight seasonal allergies
- Breaks up mucous during cold or illness
- Beneficial probiotic qualities and ability to kill bad bacteria and yeast (candida)
- Natural remedy for acid reflux treatment and heartburn
- Supports detox for your body
- May lower blood sugar and aid in Diabetes treatment
- And many more benefits not listed!!
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF VIRGIN PUMPKIN SEED OIL:
- Contains omega fatty acids
- May fight inflammation
- High in antioxidants
- Provides source of zinc
- Positive results found in boosting mood and fighting depression
- Promotes heart health and may lower cholesterol
- Improvements in prostate health
- Reduction in menopause symptoms
So, basically, this amazing dressing also is a health tonic! So you can feel great about the salad you are eating and the dressing.
Note: I make this dressing right before I head out to a restaurant. I pack it in glass tupperware (of course), and I don’t worry about packing it in a cooler with ice for the short time in between home and dinner at a restaurant. So it just stays room temperature until I eat it. I enjoy my salad knowing I don’t have to worry about bad oils, allergens, or other possible unhealthy ingredients in restaurant salad dressings.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do and love the convenience of it. Literally measure two ingredients and pour onto your salad! How easy and great is that?
- 4 Tablespoons Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar with the mother
- 2 Tablespoons Virgin or unrefined pumpkin seed oil
- Combine the ACV and the pumpkin seed oil for a fantastic tangy dressing!
- If you find it is too tangy, try adding a teaspoon or two more of the pumpkin seed oil. Find the ratio you like best.
