Yesterday was earth day. I felt it was right to celebrate it, even though Mother Nature is currently sending all the pollen to destroy me with itchy eyes. Side note: if you see me out, no, I didn’t eat any special brownies for breakfast. It’s just allergies.
Hailey and I celebrated the day by planting some herbs, a pepper plant and tending to the strawberries on the back deck.
Yes, she picked out her outfit again. Boots and life jacket. She gets her fashion sense from me. Poor girl.
Between planting and a bike ride, I had enough pollen for the day, so I decided to spend some time indoors playing in the kitchen. I’m so glad I did.
If you didn’t notice, I get stuck on a salad dressing and don’t switch it up. Like, ever. For months now it’s been Newman’s Own Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette. It’s really delicious, but yesterday I was ready for something new. I dreamed of Japanese steakhouse ginger dressing, then decided to make my own dreams come true.
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp ginger (I cheated and used the tube. You should cheat, too)
- 3 Tbsp carrot puree
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup carrot water
Carrot water is an interesting ingredient, huh? It’s easy. Peel and cut your carrots into slices.
Bring 1-2 inches of water to boil in a pot. Place steamer tray over water and add carrots. Reduce to medium heat and steam for 5-10 minutes, or until soft. Don’t throw out the water.
Add carrots to food processor with 1-2 Tbsp of reserved water from steaming and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.
Add all the ingredients to a mason jar. Shake vigorously, then serve.
The flavor is vibrant. Gingery, garlicky and reminiscent of my favorite ginger dressing from Mount Fuji (the Japanese steakhouse I grew up with). I also think it would make an excellent marinade for salmon.
You’ll have leftover carrot puree. Go wild. Add it to muffins, pancakes or marinara.
Serve it to your toddler.
Rejoice in the hidden extra veggies.
How did you celebrate Earth Day?
…did you even know it was Earth Day?
…….I didn’t until I saw it on twitter, so don’t feel bad
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I ALWAYS order the starter salad at Japanese restaurants – and only because of the ginger dressing. This sounds like it’s pretty similar. Excited to try it out!
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
I love that dressing at Japanese restaurants! I will definitely have to make this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Holly says
Ok, making this SOON! We took a walk yesterday & ate lots of yummy veggies in honor of earth day! I also started the no-shampoo thing… I’m nervous!
Brittany Dixon says
I looked up the link you sent and I think I’m going to try it, too. I got bottles to make it in… we’ll see! 🙂
blackhuff says
Pollen can be so unpleasant.
Love that meal you have served your little one. I too would enjoy something like that. Very healthy too.
Sarah@ making thyme for health says
Haha! I love that she picked the life jacket! So cute. This dressing is a great idea too! Sounds yummy!
Kim @ Cooking in the City says
I had no idea that you could buy ginger like that! I so want to cheat, too!
Brittany Dixon says
Once I found it, I never turned back. It’s more expensive, of course- $3 I think? But it took me forever to grate ginger!
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
Cannot wait try that dressing and I love adding carrots to marinara!!
Ashli @ The Sweat Revolution says
Haha! Life jacket and boots – that is so funny! (and pretty darn adorable)
That dressing looks amazing – I’ll definitely be making it soon!
Jen says
I love, love, love that you let her dress herself. <3
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles says
I should start rockin the life jacket and boots look. She pulls it off pretty well, why can’t I? 😛
I vaguely in the back of my mind knew it was Earth Day, and I also heard Target (I think it was Target, at least) was giving out free reusable bags, and I really wanted one…but the only thing I really did was eat a little more ice cream than I normally do. 🙂
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run says
I hate salad dressings that come in a bottle. I never use them. Therefore, I’m left making my own out of usually balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar and olive oil, and sometimes dijon mustard gets thrown in their too! I have to try this recipe! Looking forward to switch things up in my salads! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
OK, so the BEST Ginger Carrot Dressing I’ve ever had was not in any sort of Asian establishment, although the restaurant’s menu did have many internationally inspired dishes. I have been dreaming about it since I had it in Louisville, and been wanting to recreate it. It was literally like 85% carrot puree and 15% fresh ginger. That can’t be too hard, right?
Yours looks like a good jumping off point for me. 🙂
Karen says
Hailey is just too stinking cute!! We celebrated by playing outside all day long and hugging some trees…ha-ha.
Emma @ a mom runs this town says
we hugged trees too 😉
Kimberly says
I am definitey going to have to try making this dressing this weekend 🙂
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Mmmm, your dressing sounds good! I never made my own dressings. I give myself credit enough just for making myself eat a salad. 😉
Kimberly says
I have never made dressing either… it’s on my list of summer things to make. I’m getting used to just eating a salad…without loaded with ranch and croutons.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
That dressing looks wonderful!
I bet she won’t want to wear that life jacket when she’s say 10 years old. haha.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
This dressing sounds so good! I love the asian dressing they have at one of the restaurants we go to and I think its because of the ginger. I didn’t know it was earth day until I saw it on blogs and twitter but I did carpool to my grad class as I always do.
Rachel Cooks says
I always get excited when I see a recipe here! Love the idea of carrots in the dressing.
Ellen says
I made this tonight and was SO excited for it. I halved the soy sauce and used brown rice syrup instead of honey, since it was all I had. It tasted GREAT…for a moment.
I didn’t have a top for my Mason jar, so I vigorously stirred it up with a spoon. Too vigorously! I jammed a hole in the bottom of the jar and it exploded ALL over me and the floor. (I apparently am way too zealous with stirring in glass jars, this is the 2nd time it’s happened to me.)
No ginger left. Crying in my salad tonight. But I WILL make it again! The bit I tasted was awesome.
Brittany Dixon says
This seriously made me laugh out loud! You stirring arm must be super strong 😉
And now I’m googling brown rice syrup- sounds neat!!
Ellen says
If you get some, I really recommend using it in this recipe: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/
I make them with ground flax and unsweetened coconut, leaving out the chocolate chips for my 16 month old. They are her favorite snack. She calls them cookies 🙂
Emma @ a mom runs this town says
I only knew it was Earth Day because I used to be a teacher! I played outside with my babe 🙂
If you see this- I’m looking at becoming a health coach but trying to decide between the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and the Dr. Sears program. Know anything about them?
Brittany Dixon says
I definitely know about both programs, but not enough to offer any valuable insight. I looked into IN to go to myself a few years ago, but it never panned out. Dr. Sears is a respectable name, so I don’t think you could go wrong with either. Let me know what you decide!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
As a MAJOR carrot lover, I must say that this sounds super delicious!
Kim @ Racing Bananas says
Wow. You just inspired me to make this dressing for next week’s salad. It looks and sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing!
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
That dressing sounds so good!!! And she’s such a cute little helper 😉
Neil Butterfield says
Sounds interesting. My wife loves to experiment with salad dressings so I’ll be sure to pass this recipe onto her. Thanks for sharing 🙂