Oil-Free Ranch Dressing
Author: Heather Leno
| Yield: 1 1/2 cups | Prep Time: 5-8 minutes | Chill Time: 3-4 hours |
Step 1:
2/3 cup raw rinsed cashews
1 tsp tapioca flour
1/2 + 1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic granules
1/2 tsp unrefined cane sugar, or sweetener of choice
1/2 tsp onion granules
1 cup boiling water
Step 2:
1/4 cup cold water
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried chives
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/8 tsp citric acid
Step 1: Put all the blender ingredients for Step 1 into your blender cup EXCEPT FOR THE WATER. Bring the water to a boil* and very carefully pour over those ingredients. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. You may want to lay a paper towel over the vent hole on the blender lid to protect from steam.
Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients and blend briefly on low to mix so the herbs do not turn the dressing green.
Pour into a glass container and chill for 3-4 hours before using. It will thicken as it chills.** — For pouring consistency, stir before using as it can thicken back up when it is chilled. If it is thicker than you desire after it is chilled and stirred, add a teaspoon or two of water.
I like to divide the dressing into 2 or three 1-cup mason jars and store them on the bottom shelf of my fridge in the back, just putting the one we’re using on the condiment rounder on an upper shelf. That is the coldest part of the fridge and the whole batch isn’t sitting out at mealtime and changing temperatures. It keeps really well this way. Don’t forget to date everything perishable so you can have clarity when you are uncertain how old something is.
*I mostly do this in the microwave. Be sure that it comes to a full rolling boil or the dressing won’t thicken sufficiently. However, do not boil the water away as that will change the texture also. Once you get the hang of it, it is really quick and easy. Also easy is putting HOT water into a little kettle and bring to a full boil (use a lid it goes faster), and put it on to boil before starting any of the process. When boiling, pour a little into your measuring glass and discard, then measure out what you need so the measuring cup is not stealing the heat before it gets into the blender cup!
**I fill all my measures clear to the top or right to the line. It is important to fill measures all the same as cashews are part of the thickener, lemon and citric are part of the sour vs. the sweet, etc. Measure accurately for the best result.