Strawberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette

Made from vibrant strawberries and wholesome chia seeds, this strawberry chia seed vinaigrette brings a burst of fruity sweetness and a subtle hint of nuttiness to your salads. Elevate your culinary creations with this healthful and delectable dressing that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

What is Vinaigrette?

Vinaigrette is a type of dressing that usually contains oil and vinegar as the base. It’s commonly used to dress salads, vegetables, or other dishes and can also be used as a marinade for seafood or meat. Vinaigrettes can be customized with various ingredients to create different flavors.

Best Strawberries for Vinaigrette

Select fresh, organic, ripe, and sweet strawberries as they are the main ingredient in this recipe. Opt for strawberries that are vibrant red and free from bruises when making vinaigrette to ensure the best flavor and natural sweetness in your dressing.

Ingredients for Strawberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette

• Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe, and sweet strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
• Hazelnut Oil: Provides sweet and nutty-flavor aroma making perfect base for the dressing.
• Balsamic Vinegar: For light acidity and to enhance the taste with a sweet and tangy flavor.
• Lemon Juice: From fresh lemons, providing a zesty and refreshing taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds depth of spiciness and contrasts the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Chia Seeds: Small seeds with a floral sweet taste, rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrients.
• Four Peppercorns: Blend adds a versatile and balanced peppery flavor to the dressing.

Strawberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette Recipe

• 1/2 cup (about 4 oz. / 75 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 1/3 cup (79 ml) hazelnut, pecan oil or walnut oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) high-quality, thick balsamic vinegar, to taste
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice (not bottled)
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) Dijon mustard or regular mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.4 g) chia seeds or 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) poppy seeds, optional
• Pinch (0.3 g) of ground four peppercorns or black pepper

Recommended Equipment

• A High-Powered Blender with a small-sized blender container.
• Airtight Glass Jar: To store vinaigrette and preserve its freshness for extended use.

How to Make Strawberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette

Strawberries: Begin with fresh and clean strawberries. Hull and chop them.

Combine: In a blender, combine strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice (not bottled), balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and ground four peppercorns.

Blend: Cover and blend on medium speed (#3) for 20 seconds or until smooth and creamy.

Add Oil: Switch to low speed (#1), while continuing to blend, slowly pour the oil in a steady stream. Blend for 30-60 seconds until the mixture is fully emulsified.

Note: This step is crucial; ensure the oil and vinegar are thoroughly combined to prevent separation.

Chia Seeds: Transfer the dressing into a jar and stir in the chia seeds or poppy seeds. You also can add both chia seeds for the nutritional benefits and poppy seeds for crunchy texture.

Note: Avoid adding too many chia seeds as they absorb liquid and create a gel-like texture.

Refrigerate: Chill the dressing before serving. Enjoy!

What is the Emulsification Process?

When making vinaigrette in a blender/mixing bowl, it’s important to emulsify the ingredients to create a smooth and well-incorporated dressing. Emulsification is the process of combining oil and vinegar (or acidic components) into a stable mixture. Since oil and vinegar naturally separate, emulsifying helps them stay combined for a consistent texture and flavor.

Chia Seeds vs. Poppy Seeds

Chia seeds and poppy seeds are both commonly used in cooking, but they differ in several ways.

• Chia seeds are small, nutrient-rich seeds that can absorb liquid and create a gel-like texture. They are often used to thicken dressings and provide nutritional benefits due to their fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and various minerals, chia seeds have a mild, nutty flavor.

• Poppy seeds, on the other hand, have a mild nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. They are primarily used for adding a subtle crunch and visual appeal to dishes, rather than affecting the texture of dressings.

Recipe Tips for Best Results

• Strawberries: Choose ripe, vibrant red, sweet strawberries.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Opt for high-quality, thick (not watery), dark, and rich vinegar.
• Spiciness: “Four-Blend” pepper is milder and less spicy than black pepper.
• Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed juice (not bottled) for better flavor.
• Chia Seeds:1/4 tsp. (0.5g) of Poppy seeds will be another great option.
• Creaminess: Avoid adding too many chia seeds as they can create a gel-like texture.
• Sweetness: Sweeter strawberries result in a sweeter vinaigrette.
• Emulsification blends oil and vinegar into a stable mixture, preventing separation.
• Flavored Oils: Make sure you’re using a light-flavored oil.
• Glass Jar: Store dressing in a glass jar as acidity reacts to plastic.

Storage & Serving

Storage: Refrigerate dressing in a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to 5 days.

Serve: Before serving, stir the dressing to recombine any separated ingredients.

Yields: 1 cup / 8 fl. oz / 237 milliliters in total
Servings: 8 servings of 2 tablespoons / 30 milliliters as dressing

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delightful dressing over mixed greens, spinach, or any favorite salad combination. It also makes a fantastic drizzle for roasted vegetables or grilled chicken or as a dip for crusty bread and fruit platters. Get creative and enjoy its fruity goodness in various ways!

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