There’s tons of reasons to love salads, from the benefits to nice colours and of course the great flavours. The one item that always brings that extra touch to your salad is the dressing and there’s endless ways to create them. Dressing are great because it can take a plain salad to the next level to make it a lot more enjoyable. They themselves bring in their own benefits because they’re made with nutrient rich ingredients.

Benefits of popular salad dressings ingredients include:

• Lemon/ Lime: filled with immune boosting properties while it helps cleans and detoxify
• Olive Oil: loaded anti-inflammatory ingredients that help your blood flow smoothly
• Garlic: helps you fight off colds and flus from it’s powerful antibacterial elements
• Apple Cider Vinegar: contributes to a healthy digestion while bringing a skin and hair glow

We’ve put together a list of 5 salad dressings that are promised to add a flavour boost to whatever greens you have in your bowl. Feel free to switch up the ingredients to something similar or even altering between fresh and dry herbs, depending on what you have around. They’re all super easy to make!

Sweet And Spicy Almond Lime Dressing from Running on Real Food

Bring an asian inspired taste to your greens with this dressing that hits tons of different flavour points in just one bite.

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp packed fresh cilantro
• 1/8 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3 tbsp water

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor and mix well.
2. Makes approximately 1 cup.

Mustard Dill Vinaigrette from hot for food

Switch up your typical dressing to this tangy mix of fresh dill and zesty mustard.

• 1/3 C cold-pressed olive oil
• 2 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• 1/8 C fresh dill fronds
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

1. If you want a really creamy dressing, use a blender to combine all the ingredients. You could also just whisk this together or shake everything up in a jar. If you aren’t using a blender, be sure to finely chop the fresh dill before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve the salad.

Oil Free Green Goddess Salad Dressing from This Healthy Kitchen

Basil meets creaminess with this oil free dressing that’s filled with healthy fats from avocados.

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon Dijon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions: 

1. In a small glass jar, combine Dijon, salt, maple syrup, vinegar, and lemon juice. Finely chop garlic or grate with a microplane and add to the jar. Top with lid and shake well.
2. Add poppy seeds and olive oil, cover and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use. May keep up to three weeks if kept chilled.

A lot of people today have opted for a dairy-free diet, which usually includes a lot of substitutions with nuts. Choosing to drop dairy helps your body reduce inflammation and overall feel less sluggish but it’s also better for animals and the environment. Other than making great milks, cheeses and being more eco than dairy, there’s a lot of benefits for our bodies when we consume them.

Benefits:

• Brain Power: foods like nuts work wonders on our minds. Consuming nuts helps with things like memory, cognitive function and an overall healthy head. Like meditation helps us strengthen our minds, nuts do the same, so they’re an ideal food to give not only your body energy but your brain also. 
• Vitamin & Mineral Packed: nuts are filled with essentials to help our body run smoothly. This includes things like magnesium, which reduces stress, zinc, for immune boost and is rich with antioxidants, which protect your cells. 
• Strong Hair, Skin & Nails: because nuts are filled with healthy fats like omega-6 and omega-3, we naturally get benefits like glowy hair, skin and nails. They’re also filled with calcium which helps to grow our hair and nails while making them and your bones stronger. Plus, the high amount of calcium is another reason it’s a good dairy alternative.
• Healthy Snacking: nuts make the perfect healthy snack whether you’re on the go or sitting at home to keep you healthily energized. You’ll feel good post-snack rather than sluggish if you reach for something packaged. The high healthy fat content also satisfies cravings for salty and even sweet.

We’ve put together a few recipes you’ll actually go nuts over and that are super easy:

What also makes them so great is that they’re super versatile, meshing well with both salty and sweet. They’re great for making into a drink, topping, desserts and more! The good thing about these recipes is that can make so many alternatives to these depending on what you’re looking for. Use different types of nuts, sweetened and unsweetened, or add in vanilla or other spices, the list can really go on. 

Almond Milk from Running on Real Food:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds
• 4 cups filtered water (filtered water is not totally necessary, your choice)
• pinch of sea salt (approx. 1/4-1/2 tsp)
• optional: 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• optional: 1-2 medjool dates or 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

Directions:

• Soak the almonds in water in a glass bowl for 8-24 hours.
• When the almonds have finished soaking, strain (discard the water they soaked in) and rinse well.
• Add the rinsed, soaked almonds, salt and water to a high-speed blender. Add the dates and vanilla if using.
• Blend on high for 60 seconds until smooth, creamy and frothy.
• Either pour right into a container for storing or strain through a nut milk bag for smooth, creamy homemade almond milk. The leftover almond meal can be discarded or used in baking, oatmeal or to make granola. I like to strain it into a large glass measuring cup and then pour it into my storage container after straining. My large measuring cup has a spout so it’s easy to pour from. If you strain into a bowl, a funnel will make it easier to pour into a storage jar.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Pecan Butter from This Healthy Kitchen: 

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large tray with parchment paper. Place the pecans in a single layer and bake for 5 minutes and remove from the oven.
2. Transfer the pecans to a food processor and the salt, and any optional ingredients if using. Process on high speed, scraping down the sides often. The mixture will turn from a crumbly mixture and eventually into creamy, delicious pecan butter. Depending on your machine, this can take anywhere from 3-10 minutes. You may want to stop the machine every couple of minutes or so to give it a break and avoid overheating.
3. Store in a glass jar with lid at room temperature for up to 1 week, or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Vegan Flix Mix from hot for food blog:

Ingredients:

Being vegan doesn’t mean that we have to sacrifice the delish factor of chocolaty goodness. As more people choose the plant-based route, the amount of recipes we have available to us is flourishing. Whether you’re making a dessert for your yourself, partner, BFF or family these recipes created by some incredible Canadians are promised to please even the non-vegans in your life.

Chocolate Espresso Mug Cake from The Cheeky Chickpea

This super simple four-step mug cake is ready in under five minutes making it the perfect dish for a time crunch or if you don’t have a huge kitchen space. You can add a thoughtful touch by putting them into mugs that match their personality.

Image from The Cheeky Chickpea Instagram

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour (can substitute for gluten free flour)
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (instant coffee granules), regular or decaffeinated
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8–1/4 teaspoon salt (a pinch)
• 2 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips (plus more for serving)
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 1 tablespoon oil, recipe uses grape seed oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Add the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, salt, instant coffee granules, sugar, baking powder, to a microwavable coffee mug (must hold at least 1 and 1/2 cups of liquid) and stir with a small whisk or a spoon.
2. Pour in the wet ingredients: water, oil, vanilla. Mix the batter until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips. Sprinkle the other tablespoon of chocolate chips on top.
3. Cook in the microwave for 60 seconds (recipe at 1100 watts).
4. Sprinkle with a few more chocolate chips. Grab a spoon and dig in! Add a small scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream if you like.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread from This Healthy Kitchen

Get your vegetables in while you eat dessert with this healthy chocolate bread. With a gluten free option for extra versatility, it’s an amazing option for the person in your life who is looking for a satisfying treat with benefits.

Image from This Healthy Kitchen Instagram 

Ingredients:

Dry:

• 2 cups oat flour, gluten free if preferred
• 1/3 cup raw cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Wet:

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups shredded zucchini approx 1 large or 2 small zucchini
• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened cashew milk or almond milk or soy milk if avoiding nuts
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips plus more for sprinkling on top if desired

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line a 9″x5″ loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and set aside.
3. Add the dates and water to a food processor and pulse until a paste is formed, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer this mixture to a medium bowl. Then add all remaining wet ingredients to the same bowl and mix to combine.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Then pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired and gently press them down.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Then remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to let cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!
   

Vegan Chocolate Pretzel Truffles from Running on Real Food

Get your sweet and salty cravings in bite sized delight with truffle that’s sweetened only by dates and chocolate with a nice salty texture from the pretzels. They make the perfect dessert to snack on wether you’re watching a movie or out on the terrace.

Image from Running on Real Food Instagram

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups packed, soft pitted dates
• 4 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or walnut pieces
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 6–8 pretzels, crushed, or more as needed
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Place the medjool dates in a food processor with the cocoa, sea salt and walnuts and mix until it forms a thick dough (I like to pulse a few pretzels to the truffle mixture too!). Roll into 16 balls and place on a parchment or wax paper-lined baking tray that will fit in your fridge or freezer. Place in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate and pretzels.
2. Crush the pretzels in a bowl with the bottom of a small dish or measuring cup.
3. Place the chocolate in a bowl and melt in the microwave or melt using a double boiler, then roll each truffle in the melted chocolate until coated and place back on the baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with crushed pretzels. 
4. Place the baking sheet in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate has hardened.
5. Enjoy! Store in the fridge or freezer. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and freezer for up to 2 months.

One Bowl Jumbo Chocolate Chunk Cookies (vegan + gf) from Oh She Glows

We’d like to introduce you to the crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with melted chocolate you’ve been looking for, while being gluten free and vegan. Not to mention you only need one bowl during the whole baking process to make it easy to clean and reduce water waste.

Image from Oh She Glows Instagram 

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 g) natural smooth almond butter (It’s important to use natural smooth almond butter that has a fairly “drippy” consistency. Be sure to stir it very well before measuring and avoid using the dry/hard nut butter at the bottom of the jar as it’s too difficult to mix with the other wet ingredients).
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons (105 mL) pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons (45 mL) virgin coconut oil, softened but not hot**
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (50 g) gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (50 g) gluten-free oat flour
• 1/4 cup (33 g) arrowroot flour/starch
• 1/4 cup (25 g) almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
• (150g) 55% non-dairy dark chocolate (about 1 1/2 bars)***

Vegan Double Chocolate Donuts from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

Donuts are undeniably delicious and when you make them from scratch it ads that extra touch of love to anyone eating it. There’s the option to customize your toppings depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Image from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken Instagram