Divine Lemon Basil Caesar Dressing

One of my favorite restaurants is Pizza Limone.  Their Pera Pizza is a life changer!  I also love their Caesar Salad.  It has this light flavorful dressing with notes of lemon and basil.  I think I have created something that comes really close to the real thing!  This dressing is also good on Salmon, street tacos, etc. Image from Here

Dressing (Makes 2 cups):

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup light olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves (or more to taste)

*In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Blend on high for 20 seconds or until smooth and creamy.  Store dressing in Refridgerator for up to 1 month.

Image from Pizza Limone Menu

Salad:

• Romaine
• Grated Parmesean
• Lemon wedges
• *Note: I also like to add shredded carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, toasted almonds, and grilled chicken 
• Basil Caesar Dressing

 

 

The BEST Thai Peanut Sauce

This sauce works great for a cabbage salad, Thai Salad, Fresh Spring Rolls, Protein Bowls, Lettuce Wraps, etc.  Enjoy!  Image from Here

 
 

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
  
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (toasted or dark)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoons sriacha sauce (this gives sauce"heat."  You may want to omit or up amount to 2 tablespoons depending on preference)
  
• 2–3 tablespoons sugar, honey, or agave
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  
• a clove of fresh garlic, peeled
• 1/3 cup of water

**Blend all ingredients on high for 30 seconds.  Store in mason jar or other preferred dressing container.  Keep Refridgerated.   Sauce will store in refridgerator for 3 months.

Rich Chocolate Sauce

Over brownie sundaes, ice cream, cakes, etc.  Homemade chocolate sauce is SO much better than any store bought brand I have had.  It is easy to make.  It also makes a great holiday gift!  This is NOT FUDGE SAUCE--this is runnier and thinner than your typical fudge sundae sauce.

Image from Here.

1 cup cocoa

1 cup sugar

2  12 oz cans evaporated milk

½ c. butter (1 stick)

4 tsp vanilla

-In medium sauce pan, whisk all ingredients over medium heat.  Simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  

-Store in glass mason jars in refrigerator. Reheat before serving.  This keeps for quite awhile in the fridge--all that sugar :)

**Vanilla Ice cream, peppermint crumbles, and this sauce are a great combo!

 

Kale Pesto Pizza Sauce

This recipe comes from a friend that has an abundance of Kale in her garden each year :)  Thanks Carrie for this tasty recipe! I added a few "optional" ingredients if you feel so inclined...

(pictures from simplyrecipes.com and ohmyveggies.com)

3 cups packed kale (stems removed)
3/4 cup walnuts
2 TBS lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 olive oil
1/2 c. parmesan or pecorino romano (optional)
1/8 tsp black pepper (optional)
red pepper flakes (optional)
-Blend using a food processor or blender all ingredients together.  

• You can use 1/3 c. pine nuts in place of walnuts
• Also is fun to make garlic bread with this!

Homemade Marinara

This is a yummy homemade marinara sauce (the carrots are the secret ingredient!)

In large pot saute over medium-high heat for 10 minutes:
1/4 c. olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
-After you saute, blend up vegetables until smooth.
Return mixture to pan and add:
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 28oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 TBS white sugar
3 dried bay leaves
-Lightly simmer uncovered for 1 hour until sauce thickens. Discard bay leaves. Salt to taste.