Hey!

I have noted before that I am not much of a salad person as I rarely find them satisfying. So when I do make one, it has to be packed full of different textures and tastes and usually includes a rich dressing. You don’t have to turn to oil, mayonnaise or sour cream to get a rich dressing, however. The ground up hemp seeds in this recipe provide a wonderful, creamy base with which you can add any number of flavorings. If you aren’t familiar with hemp seeds, check out this link for more information (they are a powerhouse of nutrition!).

The “cobb” salad in the picture includes grated carrots, roasted chickpeas, hard-boiled eggs, sliced apples and pickled radishes on a bed of kale. You can of course use this as a dressing for salads but with a little less water, it also makes a great dip for fresh veggies or chips.

Enjoy!

Hemp Seed “Ranch” Dressing (adapted from here)
makes enough for about 4-6 servings

Recipe notes: 1) if you want to serve this as a dip, use 1/4 cup water, but if you want more of a pourable dressing for a salad, use 1/3 cup water; 2) dill, chives, celery leaves, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco are all optional add-ins, that I am sure would be great, I just didn’t have them on hand or want to make it spicy so my 2-year-old would eat it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shelled hemp seeds (also called hemp hearts)
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup water (see recipe note)
• 1 scallion, sliced
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Other add-ins as desired (see recipe note)

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender or small food processor and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Note: the dressing will thicken slightly after it has been chilled.