I wrote recently about the raspberry overload going on in our refrigerator and how we were using my favorite lassi recipe (Indian yogurt smoothie) to use them up. During that time, I also made raspberry vinaigrette. Fresh raspberries blended into a salad dressing works well as the vinegar portion very effectively preserves the berries for many weeks.

I thought I would share this easy recipe, as some of you probably love raspberry vinaigrette drizzled on salads. It so happens that raspberry vinaigrette is my daughter’s favorite salad dressing too. Once I discovered this, I was motivated to show her how to make it healthy.

Most store versions are made with raspberry flavoring, GMO high fructose corn syrup and GMO vegetable oils like canola or soy. Even if made with fresh raspberries in a gourmet restaurant, an olive oil/GMO canola oil blend with GMO white sugar is generally used (I know because I’ve asked!).

In this new age of frankenfood literally everywhere you look, it is absolutely essential to know how to make your favorite dishes and condiments yourself with real, wholesome ingredients! Not doing so is quite simply a non-starter.

Teaching your children how to make fresh, healthy salad dressing quickly is one of most important cooking skills they can learn. This is because making sure the diet is loaded with healthy fats is the foundational principle for vibrant health. This according to research of numerous traditional societies around the globe free of chronic disease.

How to Make Raspberry Vinaigrette

So how to make a simple, fast and fresh raspberry vinaigrette? You will be delighted how easy it is.

One important tip is to avoid using either raw or pasteurized apple cider vinegar in this particular salad dressing. This is because the strong flavor of the ACV competes with the raspberries. You need a very mild vinegar for a great tasting raspberry vinaigrette. I recommend mellow rice vinegar (my favorite) or white wine vinegar. If you want to get fancy, you can use raspberry vinegar too, though this is a more expensive option.

If you choose rice vinegar, it is best to use organic brands if possible. Also avoid rice vinegar made in China due to possible contamination with arsenic.

Why not show your kids how to make raspberry vinaigrette dressing the next time you serve salad for dinner? An easy variation is to make a creamy vinaigrette. Add ¼ cup of creme fraiche to ¾ cup of the dressing in the recipe below and blend with a fork.

If you are in need a a change with your homemade dressing, check out these recipes for:

• maple kombucha salad dressing
• honey mustard salad dressing
• probiotic thousand island dressing

Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist