Lemon Vinaigrette is delicious and bursting with citrus flavor. It is a versatile dressing that can brighten up any salad. This vinaigrette is also a great marinade for chicken.
After months of cold weather and feeling like we have been stuck indoors, we are finally getting outside again. When we lived in Texas, we camped a lot and loved to ride our mountain bikes every chance we got. When we first moved to Colorado we did a partial move and made sure to bring our bikes with us. We were in temporary housing and lived super close to some great trails so we rode all the time.
Then we moved into our current house, which isn’t nearly as close to the trails. Our poor bikes have sat in the garage gathering dust for months. So, now with all our free time we finally got our bikes out.
Not having been on the bikes for quite some time, I suggested that we just go for an easy ride. You know, nothing crazy or too long. My husband totally agrees.
Only problem is I forget that his idea of not too crazy nor too long is much different from mine. I should have realized this the moment I saw him filling up his Camelback.
I follow along and fill up the kids and my Camelback as well. Water is always good, right? Plus, the elevation can really make anything strenuous more difficult.
We loaded up the bikes and head for the trails. He drives us to this spot where he likes to run. He asks if we want to go North or South. I’m already scared. North or South?! How far are we going?!
We are about a mile or so in and it begins to sprinkle. Then I heard thunder.
We decide to turn back. So, I’m thinking that was a good short ride and we’re heading home. Nice reintroduction.
Nuh-uh, my guy just wants to wait out the storm and go out again. Sure enough, the storm passes just as quickly as it came in. We get back on the trail ride for what feels like an eternity.
We get back to his truck and he says that was pretty easy, right? I’m already feeling sore in all kinds of ways. Haha, next time I’m pinning down minutes and distance 😀
With the kids on cooking duty, I had them whip up something easy. They made delicious and filling salad with homemade Lemon Vinaigrette.
This Lemon Vinaigrette is deliciously refreshing and full of bright citrus flavors. I love homemade salad dressings-they are easy to make and always taste better than anything you buy at the store.
Lemons are one of my favorite citrus fruits. They are full of bioflavonoids and antioxidants, like vitamin C.
I always try to use the peel when I can. Grated lemon peel, or the zest, contains the phytonutrient d-limonene. Limonoids have a high bioavailability (meaning your body absorbs them easily) and research studies indicate it might slightly reduce the risk of skin cancer.
To pick a good lemon choose one that is thin-skinned, heavy for its size, and that has skin with a finely grained texture.
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- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest, minced
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- In a small bowl add lemon juice, zest, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Use an emulsion blender to combine.
- With blender on, slowly stream oil into mixture.
- Blend until combined and transfer to a sealable container.
- Store in the refrigerator.
- Shake well before serving.
[…] with these grey, cold days, we can still bring some summer in with food. Remember my Lemon Vinaigrette? Yes, well this is the salad that we enjoyed that […]