Balsamic Dressing with Thyme

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My garden is not very plentiful this year.  A move and a new baby left me with few spare moments for planting!  But I did manage to get a few things in the ground: lettuce, tomatoes, thyme, oregano, parsley, spinach, peas, and zucchini.  Not much of each, but enough to provide some fresh additions to our every day meals.

Having a few fresh herbs available is very cost effective. Buying fresh herbs from the store is usually quite expensive, not to mention the flavor being inferior to home grown varieties.

The following salad dressing is one I make often.  It can be made with fresh or dried herbs.

When I first tried this dressing I was surprised at how strong the thyme flavor was. It really stands out.  This combination has become one of my favorites and is often drizzled over a bed of lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, and my favorite salad nuts. A sprinkling of feta or goat cheese is also a lovely addition.

Balsamic Dressing with Thyme

(adapted from Renee Loux’s Balsamic Vinaigrette in The Balanced Plate, page 203)

4 Tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

2 cloves garlic, pressed (I use this awesome garlic press!)

1 ½ Tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried

2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid.  Shake until well combined.  Taste and add extra salt and pepper if needed.

This post is included in Two for Tuesdays and GNOWFGLINS' Tuesday Twister. For more great recipes visit both!

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14 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing the real food love at the two for tuesdays recipe blog hop! I am laughing because my thyme didnt come in this year very well, but trader joes just started selling dried thyme in their spice section and I picked some up today! Will definitely be trying this recipe! Keep it REAL! alex

    1. Alex, I probably wouldn’t have any thyme in my garden if I wasn’t given a plant for my birthday! I was just not with it at all this year. It is lovely to have around. Glad you found some at TJ’s – love that place 🙂

  2. This looks amazing! So simple, yet packed with flavor. Thyme is my favorite herb and I have a big bunch ready for using…. =) Thanks so much for bringing it to Two for Tuesdays this week!

  3. I have been looking for a good balsamic vinaigrette with maple syrup. Thanks for posting this one. I grow thyme in my garden and I’m glad to have found a new recipe.

  4. Stacy, this sounds wonderful! I always make my own salad dressing and often use balsamic in it, but I’ve never even thought of adding maple syrup to it and I don’t think I’ve ever put thyme in it either. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! I can’t wait to try this. I’m so glad you joined our Two for Tuesday blog hop!

  5. Thanks for sharing, we also make our salad dressings and something this light sounds refreshing. I will try making it with my Braun Blender and see how it turns out.
    ~blessings
    carmen