Séka Hills Extra Virgin Olive Oil Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp Séka Hills Estate Grown Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp freshly-squeezed juice from 1/2 Meyer lemon*
  • 1 green onion, chopped (white and light green sections only)
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh herbs, such as basil, thyme or parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Have all of your ingredients measured so you can make the dressing just before tossing.
  2. Pour the lemon juice into a medium-sized, round bottom bowl.
  3. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, about 1/4 teaspoon at a time,
    until all of the oil is fully incorporated, and the mixture is fully emulsified. Slow addition plus steady, constant whisking keep the ingredients combined for a silky dressing. A hand mixer, mini-prep, or the small jar of a blender also work.
  4. Whisk in the green onion, minced garlic and chopped herbs.
  5. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with salad ingredients, and serve.

Prep time: 5 minutes to chop and measure, plus 5 minutes more to whisk and toss.

Makes a generous 1/3 cup of dressing.

Recipe courtesy of Roberta Klugman, April 2013.

*If Meyer lemons are unavailable, substitute a Eureka lemon with a little orange or tangerine juice: substitute 1-1/2 teaspoons orange or tangerine juice plus 4-1/2 teaspoons Eureka lemon juice for the Meyer lemon juice.

Variations

Fruit salad: Omit the green onions, garlic, herbs and pepper.

Potato salad: While warm, stir 4 cups of cooked, sliced potatoes into the dressing.

Bean salad: Stir 4 cups of cooked white beans into the dressing, using rosemary as the herb.

Caprese salad: Use at least 2 tablespoons fresh basil as the herb ingredient. Scatter more fresh basil over the completed salad.

Add cheese: Whisk in up to 1 tablespoon of a hard, grating cheese, such as Parmesan or Asiago, with the garlic and herbs.

Add anchovies: Mash 2 anchovy fillets, rinsed and dried, into olive oil mixture. Whisk in the onion and herbs.

Balsamic vinaigrette: Substitute 2 tablespoons of your favorite balsamic or fruit balsamic vinegar for the lemon juice, omitting the herbs.

Also use Séka Hills Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing as a dressing or marinade for grilled fish; as marinade for feta or goat cheese; or as a sauce for steamed, grilled or boiled vegetables.