For our big Sunday night meal, my mom’s best friend Debbie offered to teach me her signature salad dressing with nutritional yeast. I won’t lie, I was a bit skeptical. The thought of any yeast in a salad dressing sounded a little too crunchy for me – but I’m always willing to try anything. We stopped by Earth Fare on Sunday afternoon and scooped the powdery substance out of a bucket on, what I would call, the very healthy aisle. Then we returned home to start the lesson. Like all homemade salad dressings, this has an acid (balsamic vinegar – the balsamic also provides some sugar), some salt (the tamari sauce) and olive oil. The interesting thing about this dressing is that the yeast not only adds an interested flavor – very earthy and perfect for Fall – it also acts as a thickener. So, if you like your dressings thick but want to skip on the cream – this is a perfect alternative. Nutritional yeast is a very healthy substitute (hence the name)! According to Wikipedia, “It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins and is a complete protein.” They also say it is a popular substitute for parmesan cheese. But, take my advise – make the dressing – it is delicious – but hold on to your parmesan! I know Debbie would agree, life is too short to skip the cheese.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons tamari sauce (or a soy sauce)
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• olive oil

Assembly: Whisk together nutritional yeast, tamari and balsamic. Taste for adjustments. Slowly whisk in olive oil to your prefered consistency.