Italian Marinated Vegetables

We had a neighborhood International Night (non-nutritarian) featuring Italy. While others made tortes, cakes, foccacia bread and meaty ravioli, I chose to showcase some simple vegetables.

1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
5 carrots, sliced
5 celery stalks, sliced
1 cucumber, slied
1 c. white vinegar
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. agave nectar
1 Tb. Italian seasoning mix, below

Steam the cauliflower until just barely tender. Mix with remaining vegetables in a 2-quart container with a lid. Combine vinegars, nectar and seasoning mix. Pour over vegetables. Stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serves 8

Italian Seasoning Mix
1 Tb. each of garlic powder, onion powder and parsley flakes
2 Tb. oregano
1 tsp. each of black pepper and dried basil
1/4 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. salt (optional)

Combine and store in an airtight container

To your health and happiness,
Hailey

No-Oil Salad Dressings

Drumroll, please....At last, I'm presenting the "healthy dressings" you have been waiting for. Aren't they beautiful? They taste beautiful, too! Plus they are super simple to make in your blender. You can easily adjust the the flavors by tweaking the seasonings to your tastes. Save vinegar jars when they are empty to put the dressings in.


Tomato-Basil Dressing
2 roma tomatoes, cored
1 red bell pepper, cored
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. sundried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
6-8 basil leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
Dash of sea salt
~1 c. water

Blend 1st seven ingredients and half of the water until smooth. Add more water until you attain the desired consistency. Refrigerate unused portions. Makes about 3 cups.

Orange Peach Mango Dressing
1 c. sliced peaches, peeled
1 c. sliced mangoes, peeled
1 c. orange juice
1/2 c. rice vinegar
1 Tb. grated fresh ginger

Blend until smooth. If needed, add water for a desirable consistency. Refrigerate unused portions. Makes about 3 cups.

Creamy Avocado Dressing
2 avocadoes, peeled and pitted
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp. lime zest
1 cucumber
~1/2 c. water
1/4 c. chopped cilantro
1/2 to 1 tsp. chili powder
Dash of sea salt

Blend all ingredients together until smooth, adjusting water to get desired consistency. Refrigerate unused portions. Makes 3+ cups.

To your health and happiness,
Hailey