Creamy cashews and fragrant herbs make this dressing a flavorful companion to everyday salads. Moikos Salad Dressing combines lemon, garlic, onion powder, dill and parsley with a choice of thyme or oregano. There is no dairy, mayonnaise or separately added oil in the original ingredient list.
From page 36 of the Black Hills Health Retreat Wellness Cookbook, this is a one-step blender recipe. The name is preserved as printed in the cookbook. Its cashew base supplies richness, while the lemon and herbs keep the flavor lively. Try it with crisp greens or a simple bowl of vegetables and grains.
🌿 The Healing Ingredients
- Cashews (¾ cup): The creamy foundation. Plain, unsalted cashews let the herbs and lemon remain the focus. The cookbook does not specify raw or roasted; plain raw cashews are a suggested choice for a mild version. Whole nuts or pieces can work in a blended dressing. → Shop Cashews, Whole | Shop Cashews, Whole 320s, Organic | Shop Cashews, Large Pieces, Organic
- Water (½ cup): Gives the cashews enough liquid to blend into a dressing. Start with the stated quantity. If you later choose to make a thinner variation, add extra water gradually rather than changing the entire batch at once.
- Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp.): Adds brightness to balance the cashew base. Fresh juice is a pleasant choice; remove seeds before measuring. Lemon is a flavor ingredient here, not a substitute for refrigeration.
- Thyme or Oregano (½ tsp.): The cookbook offers a choice between these herbs. Choose one for the first batch so you can recognize its contribution. The source does not specify fresh or dried, and the same volume will not taste identical in both forms. Note the form you use when recording your preferred version.
- Garlic (1 clove): Adds savory depth. Peel before blending. A particularly large clove can be assertive, so keep track of your choice if you want a repeatable result. Garlic powder is not listed as an alternative in this recipe.
- Onion Powder (½ tsp.): Distributes a gentle onion flavor without introducing chopped pieces. → Shop Onion, Powder, Organic
- Dill (1 Tbsp.) and Parsley (1 Tbsp.): Give the dressing its herb-forward character. The cookbook does not state fresh or dried. Fresh herbs are a suggested choice for a bright version; wash them and remove tough stems before measuring. Dried herbs have a different intensity, so do not assume an identical flavor.
- Salt (½ tsp.): Rounds out the seasoning. This is the original amount. Taste the dressing with the salad before deciding whether to make any personal adjustments.
📖 The Smooth Blender Method
The complete source direction is to blend all ingredients until smooth. Follow your blender manufacturer's loading instructions and maximum fill level. Stop the machine before scraping the sides or checking the mixture.
The texture depends on how thoroughly the cashews break down. A capable blender may produce a smooth result directly. No soaking step appears in the original recipe. If you choose to experiment with soaking for your appliance, measure the cashews before soaking, drain and rinse afterward, and treat it as a separate preparation variation.
Blend only as needed to obtain an even texture, within your appliance's operating guidance. The cookbook supplies no blending time. Taste a little on a salad leaf rather than judging only a concentrated spoonful, then make any optional changes deliberately.
📋 The Recipe
Yield is not specified in the cookbook.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cashews
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon thyme or oregano
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dill
- 1 tablespoon parsley
Directions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Source note: Quantities and the blending direction are preserved from page 36 of the Wellness Cookbook. The card does not specify whether the herbs are fresh or dried, or whether the cashews are raw or roasted. Suggestions above are preparation choices, not additional source specifications.
💡 Tips & Serving Ideas
Toss a small amount through romaine, cucumber and tomato, or spoon it over a bowl of cooked grains, chickpeas and vegetables. Add gradually so it coats the food without overwhelming the other ingredients.
For an easy lunch, serve a dressed salad beside a baked potato or a bowl of lentils. The dressing brings creaminess and herbs, allowing the rest of the meal to stay uncomplicated.
If you would like a more pourable dressing, test a little extra water in a separate portion before thinning the whole batch. For a stronger herb flavor, try a small adjustment after tasting. Keep those changes in your notes so the original formula and your variation remain distinct.
Freshness and Allergen Notes
Transfer promptly to a clean, covered container and refrigerate. Keep chilled until serving and stir if the dressing separates. Use clean utensils, and prepare close to the meal for the freshest herb flavor. The cookbook does not supply a storage duration, and this is not a shelf-stable condiment.
Contains cashews, a tree nut. It is not suitable for someone who needs to avoid cashews. Although no oil is added separately, cashews naturally contribute fat, so the dressing is not fat-free.
Related Articles
Explore Cucumber Mint Dressing for a cucumber-and-cashew variation, Mayo (Sunny-Not): Sunflower Seed Mayo for a seed-based option, or Italian Dressing for a lemon-and-herb dressing with olive oil.
Part of The Healing Kitchen series at Black Hills Health Retreat.
Ingredient notes are for everyday cooking education, not medical treatment advice.
0 comments