saladwithhands

From Scratch to Save Some Scratch

There is an old saying; “you can have something fast, good or cheap – pick two.” No offence to the ‘old wives’ that coined this one but I am refusing to believe it! I think with some simple Meal Planning you actually can get all three. You just need to put in a bit of your own labour. We are talking from scratch cooking today and MY old saying “homemade is best made!”  

You might be thinking, “Karla, I have no time to make all my food from scratch.” And I am going to say “Of course you don’t. I mean, I would not have a business if you did.” So pick ONE thing you can make from scratch. Just ONE and let that be your start.

I want to give you a challenge this week. Once you have completed your Meal Planning template and from that, planned out your Grocery List, I want you to pick one thing on your grocery list that you could make from scratch instead of buying it premade. Maybe it’s a whole meal you were planning to pick up from the freezer section, or maybe it’s one condiment. I’m opting for making all my beans from scratch this week and not relying on the canned variety. 

In my personal journey to more whole-from scratch-meals, one of the first things I decided I wouldn’t buy premade again was baked goods. Sure, if I am at a farmer’s market and there is a sweet Nonna selling tarts you bet your butternut I am grabbing a few, but I no longer buy cookies, granola bars or any type of dessert from the grocery store. If I want it, I need to bake it myself. True, it takes some time but generally it ends up being cheaper, always tastes better and most importantly, those cookies have a greater ‘value’ in the form of my time and commitment, so I’m less likely to take six from the sleeve instead of two (or three) from the plate.

Another easy thing to make from scratch is salad dressing, and I’m telling you, this one is 100 times better for you when it’s homemade. I am sharing three of my favourite Market Made dressings today. Super simple, inexpensive, and full of flavour!

If you make them, let me know. Tag me @marketmademeals on Instagram and show me your dressing or anything else you made from scratch this week. 

 xo mm 

 

Roasted Red Pepper Dressing

Servings 1 cup

Equipment

  • High speed blender
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole roasted red pepper
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp agave syrup
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Roast red pepper in oven at 375 for 30 minutes until blistered. Allow to cool completely.
  • Add all ingredient to high speed blender and puree until smooth.

Notes

This dressing works great on a fresh green garden salad. This is the dressing we use on our Market Made Taco Salad and Antipasto Salad.
 

 

Tahini Lemon Dressing

Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • cup lemon juice
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients in blender OR whisk vigorously OR throw in a mason jar with a lid and shake.

Notes

This dressing is great on a kale salad. This is the dressing we use on our Market Made Nourishing Salad.
Keyword Salad dressing

 

 

Almond Butter Dressing

Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup almond butter * you could also use peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp garlic finely minced
  • ½ tsp ginger finely minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients in blender OR whisk vigorously OR throw in a mason jar with a lid and shake.

Notes

This dressing is great on any sort of Asian inspired salad – especially noodle ones. This is the dressing we use on our much loved Market Made Zoodle Salad.
Keyword Salad dressing

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Hi! I’m Karla and this is my blog and online store. A place where I share my musings about life and an online market for my plant based meal service in Collingwood, ON and essential oil business.

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