master recipe: basic avocado dressing
Okay, I’m throwing this one out there just because I make it all the time, and I really like it on a plate of salad greens. It’s a “master” recipe because you start with the basics, and then add you own personal touches. It’s a simple recipe, and the great thing is that you control exactly the spices you want to add. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
prep time
20 Min
cook time
method
No-Cook or Other
yield
Several
Ingredients
- PLAN/PURCHASE
- 2 cloves garlic
- - olive oil, extra virgin, for drizzling
- 1 pinch salt, kosher variety
- 1 large ripe avocado, cut in half, seed removed
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 6 large kalamata olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise, plain variety
- - black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- - salt, kosher variety, to taste
How To Make master recipe: basic avocado dressing
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Step 1PREP/PREPARE
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Step 2Chef’s Note: Understand something about this recipe. I am giving you a base from which to start… once you finish the basic recipe, you will add the spices that you feel will make this dressing a success. I’ve given you a few ideas at the end of the recipe, but have fun with it.
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Step 3Gather your ingredients (Mise en place)
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Step 4Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
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Step 5Place the garlic cloves on a piece of parchment paper; drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
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Step 6Twist the parchment together, and place into the preheated oven until the garlic is tender, about 20 – 25 minutes.
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Step 7Remove from the oven, and allow it to cool.
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Step 8Add the garlic, avocado, lime juice, kalamata olives, and olive oil to the bowl of a mini prep (or food processor) fitted with an S-blade.
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Step 9Mix the ingredients until pureed.
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Step 10Add the pureed ingredients into a bowl with the mayonnaise, and fold together.
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Step 11Chef’s Note: Add a bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
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Step 12PLATE/PRESENT
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Step 13This is a brilliant dressing for a batch of Summer greens, or it will compliment just about any salad. Enjoy.
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Step 14Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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Step 15MASTER RECIPE MODIFICATIONS
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Step 16I like to add a bit more lime juice, and a generous pinch of salt.
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Step 17When the weather turns decidedly cooler, I’ll add a pinch of cayenne, and maybe a bit of paprika, and cumin.
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Step 18When the weather is warmer, add half a peeled and seeded cucumber to the food processor.
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Step 19I love adding a blanched, peeled and seeded tomato to the food processor, any old time of the year.
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Step 20To kick up the flavors, add a tablespoon of white miso paste.
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Step 21Substitute Vegenaise for the mayo, and make this dressing vegan.
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Step 22Fry up some bacon, nice and crispy, crumble it up and add it at the end.
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Step 23Try adding some grated Parmesan, or as Bonnie suggested, some yummy blue cheese.
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Step 24Chef's Tip: This dressing has a shelf life (in the fridge) of about 1 week, so make it the day you want to use it. It will taste its best the first day or two. But if it's near the end of its life, you can brighten it up by adding a bit more lime juice, before serving.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
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