Here’s a balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing recipe that I think you’ll love. If you are on the hunt for a detox salad that is extremely healthy, but has vibrant colors and tons of taste then this is for you! The thyme honey taste tastes better than anything you’ll find at the store, and it’s so simple to whip together (much like most other homemade salad dressings!). The veggies in this salad are probably not the first ones that come to mind when putting a salad together, and its uniqueness will win you some points (without sacrificing taste).
Microgreens salads are a big rage right now. A couple of you reached out to see if I have any microgreen recipes up my sleeve, and the answer is yes! When most people are in the market assembling items for a salad they gravitate towards cucumbers, tomatoes, and the like. This salad instead has centerpieces of some unconventional salad items like roasted squash, peas and roasted corn. Squash is a powerhouse of taste and (much like eggplant) can completely change, usually with vast improvements the taste of any dish and even the entire plate. The texture works great in-contrast with the microgreens, and the corn and peas both give the salad some ‘pop’, literally. Butternut squash is the most common squash and for good reason, but don’t shy away from other types of squash like the acorn squash I used in this dish. Corn almost always tastes better roasted, and since you’ll already have the oven going for the squash it’s a no-brainer.
Making my own salad dressing has become a steps that I take in 99% of the salads I make. It’s important to me to have control over the healthiness of each element of my dish, and the wrong salad dressings can undermine all of the other good things going on in a salad both in respect to taste and nutrition. Why not just make your own? It takes just a few minutes and you get to play mad scientist a bit by adding a touch of this and that to see what flavors come out best. I think the combination of honey and thyme leaves really work. As shown in my picture the leaves make for nice, functional décor as you present and serve your salad
- Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe:
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Coarse kosher salt and ground pepper
- in Mix all ingredients a small bowl whisk together and season with salt/pepper if needed
- Salad Mix Recipe:
- Microgreens I purchased mine from Traders Joe
- Grilled Corn
- Peas
- Farro cooked according to the packaging
- cilantro chopped
- parsley chopped
- Roasted Squash recipe:
- 2 inch small acorn squash seeded and cut into 1 to 2 wedges
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Sprinkle of Garlic Salt
- Sprinkle of Black pepper
- Sprinkle of Lemon Pepper ground
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bake the acorn squash in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- To Serve Salad:
- Place microgreens, grilled corn, farro, peas, roasted squash, cilantro, parsley into a salad bowl then serve with salad dressing.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
Feb 12, 2016 at 2:45 pmThat looks FANTASTIC! It seriously looks like something straight out of a super fancy restaurant. Thanks of sharing this delicious salad.
Dogvills
Feb 12, 2016 at 5:39 pmThis looks so healthy and yummy. I would love to try your Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing recipe.
Stacey
Feb 12, 2016 at 8:16 pmI’ve never heard of a detox salad, but that looks amazing!
Travel Blogger
Feb 13, 2016 at 7:25 amThank you for the healthy inspiration! This looks so good! I need to make my own vinaigrette.
Rebecca Swenor
Feb 13, 2016 at 2:16 pmThis looks and sounds interesting indeed but I would try making it for sure. I love acorn squash but I don’t like vinegar so I would leave out the vinaigrette. Thanks for sharing.
kelli@3boysandadog.com
Feb 13, 2016 at 3:05 pmThis looks amazing! I bet this would make a great dish for summer get together’s outdoors! It just has an outdoor party feel!
Eileen Mendoza Loya
Feb 13, 2016 at 7:22 pmLooks like a lot of veggies! It would be interesting to have all those tastes and textures in one salad. The vinaigrette is interesting too. Haven’t tried thyme-honey. I must try this recipe!
Amanda Love
Feb 14, 2016 at 4:43 amOh yum! I love making my own salad dressings. Not only do I know what’s in it but I personally think it tastes better too. I will give yours a try. I’m sure the family would love it.
R U S S
Feb 14, 2016 at 4:48 amOddly, I have not tried a salad with squash but with the looks of this salad – it is super healthy. The balsamic vinaigrette would add a nice tangy twist to the sweetness of the squash. I’ll definitely try this at home.
Chubskulit Rose
Feb 14, 2016 at 7:04 amThis looks so delicious! This is my kind of dish! Would acorn squash would work for this dish?
Catherine S
Feb 14, 2016 at 9:01 amThis looks really yummy. I have been trying to eat a salad every day during the week. I will have to try this salad for lunch.
Heather
Feb 14, 2016 at 9:07 amWow, thyme honey and vinaigrette, I bet its absolutely amazing! I really wish I could reach through the screen and taste this. Looks delicious!
Up Run for Life
Feb 14, 2016 at 11:51 amThis salad looksso good. I like that it is packed with tons of nutrients too. I haven’t tried acorn squash or farro. I’ll have to give it a try.
Nicole Lutzy
Feb 14, 2016 at 4:01 pmYum, sounds like a nice refreshing healthy dish! I love balsamic and vinaigrette too!
thetypicalmom
Feb 14, 2016 at 4:29 pmThis looks amazing and you take wonderful pictures. Will have to try it.
Adrienne
Feb 14, 2016 at 4:54 pmThis looks so good! I’ve been craving vegetables for a few days and I’m sure this will do the trick.
Marielle Altenor
Feb 14, 2016 at 6:26 pmI’ve never made my own vinaigrette before! I love squash! Such beautiful color. It means it’s extra yummy!
Liz Mays
Feb 14, 2016 at 7:47 pmI know I shouldn’t drool over something so healthy, but my gosh, that looks good. I so want to have this!
Lynndee
Feb 15, 2016 at 6:11 amThat certainly looks super healthy and super delicious – my kind of dish! Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
organizingmoms
Feb 15, 2016 at 6:25 amGirl, your pictures are so awesome! They make me want to eat SALAD! It looks delicious. 🙂
Jeanine
Feb 15, 2016 at 7:44 amWhat photos! This looks SO good. I’d love to give this a try. My kids are all huge salad heads and I’m sure they’d love this too!
Lisa Rios
Feb 15, 2016 at 11:06 amMy goodness, this pictures are good enough to make you think about this delicious recipe right away. The salad dressing is amazingly done & I love the combination of those veggies & peas that makes it a healthy recipe over all.
NotNowMomsBusy
Feb 15, 2016 at 11:20 amI always love the pictures you take and post. They are huge and so beautiful. This salad looks very healthy for sure.
Claudia krusch
Feb 15, 2016 at 1:23 pmLove your pics and your recipe looks sooo good! I can’t wait to try it!
mumwrites (@vixquips)
Feb 15, 2016 at 5:23 pmthis looks really interesting. i should try it soon!
Lisa @bitesforbabies
Feb 15, 2016 at 5:49 pmWow, what a delicious recipe…it’s my type of recipe too! I really enjoy following a healthy lifestyle and this salad would fit perfectly into my weekly menu plan!
mimicutelips
Feb 15, 2016 at 6:03 pmThis is yummy for sure, I love vinaigrette dressing. I can enjoy it without my waist line suffering. I’ve never made my own though.
CourtneyLynne
Feb 15, 2016 at 6:35 pmOmg now this looks beyond delicious!!! Definitely giving this a pin so I can give it a try myself
Hannah Adkins
Feb 15, 2016 at 8:38 pmThis salad looks so amazing! I love all of the healthy greens, and veggies that you used, and that dressing looks so yummy! I’ll definitely have to make it.
April Smith Decheine
Feb 16, 2016 at 5:09 amOh my that salad looks so good! I love using root vegetables in my salads! I am going to have to try this!
Alexandrea
Feb 20, 2016 at 7:12 pmThis looks delicious and I love your pictures!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
Feb 23, 2016 at 8:01 pmI haven’t tried putting roasted squash on my salad. It should be something new to try… Thanks!