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Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing is sweet and tangy, with a flavor that will complement salads and sandwiches. It only takes minutes to blend up this easy gluten-free salad dressing recipe.
You guys, my baby is so not a baby any more. I mean, he’ll always by MY baby, but he is not A baby. He doesn’t really have the talking thing down yet, though he does find ways to communicate. Usually by whining. Yup, Baby Smiles is now what I like to call a Wendel Whiner. I mean, he is generally happy, but when he is not happy, well, he whines. When we are sitting at dinner and he decides he is thirsty and can’t reach his cup, he whines. When he is alone in the den surrounded by mountains of toys and I am trying to make dinner, he whines. When he wakes up from his nap, he whines.
And while he may not have talking mastered, walking is a whole other story. And climbing. He is all about walking and climbing. Little dude struts, and I mean struts around the house, chest out, arms up, with a slight smile like he is “the s__t” and he knows it. Then he sees a chair or steps or a bench or a picnic table or a Power Wheels car, and he just has to climb. And when he reaches the pinnacle, he stands or sits there, looks around beaming, and he is not just “the s_t”. He is “King S_t”. I actually have quite clean mouth, but I have no other way to describe it. But he has earned his new nickname.
Baby Smiles is now King Stuff.
Till he falls off of whatever he just climbed on.
Then he whines. Wendel Whiner. But I’ll stick with calling him King Stuff.
And what does any of this have to do with this gluten free, fig balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing?
Absolutely nothing, except that I felt the need to tell you all so that when I start referring to King Stuff, you don’t think that Baby Smiles disappeared and some other kid replaced him.
I also felt the need to give this salad dressing a post of its own, as opposed to lumping it in with a salad recipe. It is definitely King Stuff.
This Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing is soooo good. Even The Hubby says it is sooo good. And when The Hubby makes any positive comments regarding fruit and vegetable-based dishes, trust me, you listen. He is not easily forthcoming with praise when a recipe does not involve meat or sugar.
It’s sweet and tangy, and there are so many possibilities for salads for all seasons. I really can’t wait to play around with it some more. Strawberries and goat cheese for the summer, butternut squash and cheddar in the fall. And that salad you see peeking at you in the corner of the photos – that one is good any time of the year, and I’ll be sharing it with you later this week!
It is a little thick, which I like for tossing with salad greens so that it coats the lettuce, or for spreading on a sandwich (think roast beef, Brie and arugula on a baguette). You could also use it for dipping carrot sticks or cucumbers. But if you want to drizzle or pour, you may want to add a little extra balsamic vinegar or olive oil. Your call.
Do you have nicknames for your kids?
Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup dried figs
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- An additional 1-2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and/or olive oil if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Instructions
- Combine the figs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you prefer a thinner, more pourable dressing, add another tablespoon or two of vinegar and/or oil and blend.
Did you make this?
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Categories:
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Enjoy!
Thought it had too much balsamic vinegar-if I make again I’ll dial the balsamic way back and it’s thick so a little goes a long way.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback.
The ratio of vinegar to oil is wrong. Should be 1/2 cup oil to 1/4 vinegar. Otherwise, this is way too tart for most people.
Feel free to adjust to your liking. I tend to go a bit lower on oil because that’s how we prefer it.
I’m hoping you still check these comments. I have a ton of figs, but no dehydrator. Could fresh figs be used? If so, would you adjust the amount?
I have not tried it with fresh figs. I bought dried. But if you use fresh, you might need a few more, or adjust the amounts of the other liquids.
I love balsamic and figs together…even better in this vinaigrette! Oh the delish salads this will make!
They are great together!
What a super idea. And I totally know that feeling, I’m staying with my sister whilst she’s waiting to have her second baby (any day now) and my 2 year old nephew, who can talk, ‘eh eh ehs’ everything. lots of whining, but lot’s of cute too. I need to get my hand on some dried figs to try this out!
Thanks! I am glad my 4 year old typically uses his word, and I am looking forward to when the little guy can say some 🙂
Sooo good, I am axiously awaiting the next salad at dinner with this dressing!
Hehe! I knew you liked it!
Haha, like the new nickname! Too funny! I like this dressing too! Oh my, figs and balsamic vinegar are the perfect pair!
And he totally lives up to it! Yes, they do pair so well!
Wow that looks delicious! I love figs, never thought of making a dressing out of them though. Great idea! 🙂
They add a nice sweetness against the balsamic.