Amanda's Avocado Dressing
Dress to impress...
I don’t know about you, but I love a hardy salad, and what really makes a good salad to me is loading those greens up with all kinds of goodies and, of course, the dressing. I’m a sucker for a good dressing – Italian, Ranch, Thousand Island, Green Goddess. I could go on and on – but all my favorites tend to be bright, creamy, and packed with punchy, flavorful ingredients.
That’s why I tinkered around with some of my favorite herbs and created this delicious avocado dressing! This dressing pairs beautifully with Southern Baked Pie’s Chicken Ranchero or Southwestern Taco Pie over a mixed green salad, but it’s also great as a sauce or marinade for chicken, steak, or shrimp, a spread for sandwiches, a dip for veggies or crackers, and more! I think it brings the perfect amount of summery, southwestern flair to any savory dish and it’s always a hit with my own family.
What makes it such a fresh choice?
Avocado – I’m SO happy that avocado has become popular in recent years because it’s the ultimate salad dressing ingredient. It adds all that decadent thick, creaminess of mayo, but it’s packed with heart-healthy fats, too!
Olive Oil – Speaking of heart-healthy fats, olive oil is my go-to oil for a reason. Its delicate, salty flavor brings just the right balance to this bright dressing.
Cilantro – I know this one’s controversial, but cilantro is one of my very favorite herbs. It just tastes like summer! That being said, I know everyone doesn’t feel the same way. So, feel free to omit it if you don’t enjoy the taste or, even better, sub out for basil if you still want that garden fresh color and flavor!
Garlic – Garlic is truly the spice of life. Its earthy, rich flavor enhances basically everything it touches. If you really want to go the extra mile with this dressing, roast your garlic with a bit of olive oil before adding it to the blender. (And, of course, measure with your heart.)
Lime – Lime is one of my all-time favorite flavors in both sweet and savory dishes. It adds such a bright zing to whatever it’s dressing, and it helps cut the mild, creaminess of the avocado here. Get several at the grocery store and keep them in your fridge to dress up cocktails, desserts, salads, and proteins.
As you can see, there’s a lot to love about this dressing. And, best of all? It can be whipped up in just a few minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand. That, and it keeps fresh in the fridge for days.
So, what’s your favorite way to dress things up?
Instructions:
1.) Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend together until smooth. Enjoy!
Did you like this recipe? Did you sub out an ingredient for something else you love? If so, how did it go? Leave a comment here and tell me what you think – I can’t wait to hear!
For more great recipes and ideas, check out my cookbook, Southern Baked: Celebrating Life with Pie and the rest of my blog!
