Lemon Honey Dressing

Lemon Honey Dressing Recipe

My mother taught me early in life to be conscientious about the foods I eat. Her advice is one of the main reasons I prefer to grow my own food instead of buying it at the grocery store. If I grow my own food, I know it is not riddled with pesticides and it is healthy for my body.

If I am going to put something in my mouth, I want to know the benefits I receive. I don't do an extreme amount of research, but enough to figure out if the ingredients in a dish are harmful or helpful to my body.

To my pleasant amazement, I discovered that this lemon honey dressing recipe is packed with ingredients that are quite beneficial to the body. The main components are lemon juice, honey, extra virgin olive oil, and thyme, and I go into some of the specific benefits of each of these ingredients below.

While the health benefits of this dressing make it a wise choice to consume, it's the wonderful flavors that will have you making it regularly. It is quick and easy to make and is the perfect match for green leafy vegetables like kale, arugula, and spinach. This dressing also tastes great when drizzled over broccoli and cabbage.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 5 teaspoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Recommended

Adorable Boy's 1st Birthday Celebration at Steakhouse Highlights Charming Sophistication

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and thyme.
2. To the bowl, add the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk all of the ingredients together.
3. Drizzle over fresh leafy greens or just about any raw vegetable.

Health Benefits of This Dressing

• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is a good source of Vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system. Lemon juice is also packed with calcium, potassium, and folate. Calcium is known to increase muscle function, potassium works with muscles and nerve function, and folate is known to help in red blood cell formation.
• Honey: Honey is a good source of antioxidants known to protect the body from cell damage due to free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons. When free radicals outnumber the body's antioxidants, the body becomes unbalanced, causing all sorts of discomfort and disorders related to lipids, proteins, and DNA.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Like honey, olive oil contains significant amounts of antioxidants. Medical experts say that because extra virgin olive oil has many polyphenols, it may be a good source of protection against cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols are the factors that act as antioxidants in the body, along with other benefits such as promoting brain function and improved digestion.
• Thyme: Thyme is an herb that comes from the mint family. Thyme is known for its antibacterial benefits and is suitable for fighting skin conditions such as acne. Thyme is packed with Vitamins A and C, and it is said that thyme is good for treating inflammation and boosting the immune system.

Wine Pairing

The citrus in this recipe makes it acid-based, so it makes sense that this dressing pairs well with an acid-based white wine. Try this dressing with a nice Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc wine. The taste treat will truly delight your palate.

The Benefits of White Wine

White wine has a high level of flavonoids which are known to be antioxidants. Antioxidants, as mentioned earlier help support the immune system. Studies show that drinking a glass of white wine improves glucose control, ultimately helping with weight loss. More studies show that consuming white wine in moderation can also help improve sleep quality.

Lemons Are in Season

Lemon trees are producing prolifically in the garden, and so my motivation for making this lemon-based dressing stems from my desire to use lemons, along with the other green leafy vegetables growing in abundance right now. Another appealing attraction about this dressing is that it is versatile. If you are someone who enjoys the flavor of lemons, you may enjoy it, as I do, as a substitute for butter on hot toasted bread or drizzled over corn on the cob. With your imagination, the uses for this dressing are limitless.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Marlene Bertrand