Nothing’s Better Than Simple Shallots In Vinaigrette
Nothing’s better than simple shallots in our vinaigrette that we enjoy on almost any salad. It is fresh and very easy to prepare. I have really enjoyed making salads with fresh ingredients from the garden.
If you haven’t ventured into the land of homemade salad dressings yet, I encourage you to give it a try. Personally, it gives me great satisfaction to make my own, and I love knowing what is in it – no weird ingredients I can’t pronounce…unless it’s shallots.
Simple Shallot Vinaigrette
1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced (about 2 Tablespoons)
2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Place diced shallot, vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes (this allows the shallots to sweeten).Transfer to a jar. Add pepper, mustard and oil.
Put lid on jar and tighten. Shake jar until vinaigrette is blended. Of course you may whisk in the oil while the shallots and vinaigrette are in the bowl, if you prefer. I just always use a jar. It seems easier to me.
You can also use red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice in place of the white wine vinegar. Although I have not tried these variations yet, I expect they would both taste great.
I love shallots. You can use the following information to decide whether or not to include shallots in your diet.
Shallots are:
- Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium
- High in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Vitamin C, Folate and Potassium
The nutritional value of shallots means that they’re good for:
- Losing weight
- Maintaining good general health
Shallots are much better for cooking than normally onions because they are much sweeter and the body can digest them much easier.
There have been many studies over the years about the effects different fruits and vegetables may have on the health. And shallots have a lot in their favor.They contain two types of sulphur compounds Allypropyldisulphine (APDS) and flavonoids such as quercetin.
People who consume a lot of flavonoids have been shown to have a reduced chance of developing cancer, heart disease and diabetes, due to the wonderful antibacterial properties they process.
Because of its high pungency (incl. flavonoids) a raw shallot has a more pronounced taste than an onion. When a shallot is sautéed, the sugars caramelize. This gives the shallots a sweeter taste than an onion.
Shallots are especially good at helping the liver to eliminate toxins from the body. Besides, they also contain saponins which have been shown to inhibit and kill cancerous cells in the body.
There are many more health benefits to shallots, such as the ability to thin the bloods and the production of prostaglandins.
Eating shallots daily helps in the growth of bone tissue and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis by 20 per cent. The sulphur content in shallots makes skin look younger.
Shallots are preferred by gourmet chefs for the subtle and delicious flavors that they impart to even the most basic recipe. It is popularly used in Asian cuisine with some other seasonings like thyme, chervil and tarragon.
Wine and shallots are a popular cooking combination. Shallots can be sauteed or caramelized but, like garlic and onions, can have too much of a strong taste if they become too browned.
Some people prefer to roast shallots while leaving the skins on and then peel and mash them before using. Shallots can be used in cream or butter sauces as well as gravies
Beef, veal, fish and poultry, including duck, are often cooked with shallots. Some people like to add shallots to add flavor to potatoes or beets. Popular vegetarian dishes made with shallots include those with white beans or lentils.
Want to know more about shallots? Then, click here:
Shallots: Doing Good In The Garden & Kitchen Table! | Your Organic Gardening Blog
Yours truly for great health, mind and body,
Michelle, natural health advocate
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August 15 2010 10:07 am | Fitness and Green Living and Healthy Eating and Natural Beauty and Natural Remedies and Uncategorized and Weight Loss