Fruity Dressings to Up Your Salad Game

By: Chef Shamsul Wahid

Group Executive Chef of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

Fresh Apricot with Summer Sprouts and Pomelo Salad

Summers are here and salads are king yet again! Light on the palate, filled with nutrients, and tasty as hell, they are quintessential in this blistering heat. However, the trick is no matter what you put in a salad, it’s the dressing that makes all the difference and gives it character.  The same ingredients can completely transform the dish when using a new dressing. Let’s explore some fruity dressings that are easy to make and guarantee killer salads! If not used in salads, they can serve as amazing dips for snacks.

1.      Citrus reduction

·         Fresh Orange Juice, 500ml

·         Packaged Orange Juice, 500ml

·         Jalapenos, 3-4 slices

·         Coriander Seeds, 20gms

·         Red Chillies, 2 whole

·         Capers, 8 to 10

·         Tabasco (optional)

1.      In a heavy base pan, combine the two juices.  Add in the rest of the ingredients, except the coriander seeds, and reduce the mixture on a low flame

2.      Separately, in a heavy base skillet, roast the coriander seeds and then lightly crush and add them to the reducing juice

3.      Keep skimming the froth that forms on top of the reduction

4.      Reduce to about one third

5.      Strain the dressing and set aside to cool.  Adjust the spiciness with Tabasco

6.      Store in a refrigerator and use as desired. 

7.      The dressing goes great with chicken salads or beans salad. Also adds a punch to your regular fruit salads

PRO TIP: Add tequila for the Adult version!

Hickory Smoke Salad

2.      Passion Fruit and Fennel Vinaigrette

·         Passion Fruit Juice, 500 ml

·         White Balsamic Vinegar, 50 ml

·         Saffron Water, Optional

·         Dill Leaves, 4-5 Sprigs

·         Baby Fennel, Quarter

·         Orange, One Whole

1.      Peel the orange and then set aside the orange segments

2.      In a heavy base pan, combine all the remaining ingredients and simmer on a low flame

3.      Reduce until syrupy. Strain the mixture and set aside to cool

4.      Once cooled, add orange segments and mash in the dressing

5.      This goes great with goat cheese and fresh fruit salads, or salads with bitter leaves like Aragula and Lollorosso

PRO TIP: Add gin for a completely different taste

3.      Papaya Mango and Thai Chilli Dressing

·         Papaya, 200gms

·         Mango, 200gms

·         Thai Chilli, One Whole

·         Apple Cider, 60 ml

·         Olive Oil, 60 ml

·         Lemon Juice, To Adjust Acidity

·         Salt and Pepper, For Taste

1.      In a blender, combine all the ingredients except olive oil and blend

2.      Gradually add olive oil in a thin stream

3.      Blend till an emulsion forms

4.      Strain if required

5.      Adjust seasoning

6.      Chill

7.      Serve along with spicy meat, salads or along with barbeque meats