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Parmesan Dressing

Parmesan Dressing

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Elevate your salad game with my Parmesan dressing, featuring one of my favorite ingredients - garlic!
Did you know garlic not only adds an irresistible flavor to your dishes but also offers a host of health benefits? From boosting your immune system to supporting heart health, it's a tiny ingredient with big impact.
This Parmesan dressing is so simple and goes with just about anything but is thoughtfully made to go with my Tuscan Kale Salad.
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Course dressing, Sauce

Equipment

  • Mortar and Pestle optional
  • fine grater
  • med bowl
  • Whisk
  • Airtight Container for storage

Ingredients
  

  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • juice of one lemon
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp anchovy paste
  • cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon, mash the garlic with ¼ teaspoon salt until it forms a smooth paste.
    1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • Transfer the garlic paste to a small bowl, then add the cheese, oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and anchovy paste.
    ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, juice of one lemon, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp anchovy paste
  • Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Taste, and add cracked pepper or more salt if desired.
    cracked black pepper
  • Drizzle over your favorite salad, roasted veggies, or use it as a dipping sauce. Alternatively, you can store in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.

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More About This Recipe

Tips for Making the Best Parmesan Dressing

Here are a few simple tips to make sure your dressing comes out smooth and flavorful every time:
  1. Use a Mortar and Pestle (or Spoon) for the Garlic
    Mashing the garlic with salt is key to getting a smooth texture. I like to use a mortar and pestle, but if you don’t have one, you can also use the back of a spoon in a small bowl. This step mellows out the garlic and ensures it mixes evenly with the other ingredients.
  2. Fresh Lemon Juice for the Brightest Flavor
    Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always better than bottled when it comes to dressings. It adds that fresh, zesty kick that really balances the richness of the Parmesan and olive oil.
  3. Whisk Well for Emulsion
    Whisking the ingredients together until they’re fully combined is key to getting that creamy, silky dressing texture. You’ll notice it comes together beautifully and coats your greens perfectly!

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Making homemade dressing is incredibly easy, especially if you have these tools on hand:
  1. Mortar and Pestle
    A mortar and pestle are great for mashing garlic and salt into a paste, giving your dressing a smooth texture and more concentrated flavor.
  2. Microplane Grater
    For the Parmesan, a microplane or fine grater helps create fluffy, fine shavings that dissolve well into the dressing.
  3. Whisk and Small Bowl
    A simple whisk and bowl are all you need to bring the dressing together and ensure everything is well-mixed.
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