Whole Lemon Dressing
Typically, I don’t have the television on while I’m cooking. In fact, I typically listen to my favorite music playlists. That is, unless my husband is in the kitchen first. He will invariably, mindlessly, turn on the tv. Which is what happened one morning a few years ago.
The Rachael Ray show was on, and I’m not a fan, but I was too busy to change channels. She had Carla Hall on for a cooking segment, which only caught my attention because I’d seen her compete in Top Chef.
So I was only watching with one eye, so to speak, but I saw Carla do something interesting.
We’ve all combined citrus juices with olive oil and made dressings. But here is the thing. Carla put the WHOLE lemon into a blender for her dressing.
Here’s what I did to replicate her recipe, which I just knew I’d love!
Lemon Dressing
1 clean, organic lemon
Olive oil
Salt, to taste
Salad of your choice
To make the dressing, trim the lemon ends and quarter it.
Place the pieces in a blender or food processor. Blend away until you can’t.
Add about 1/2 cup of olive oil and a generous pinch of salt, and re-blend the mixture.
Strain the dressing through a fine strainer into a medium bowl. What you’re left with is a thickened emulsified lemon dressing.
I chose a salad of greens with avocado and raspberries so the dressing could really shine. Plus a little chunk of Parmesan.
I’m not even that much of a lemon freak, but this dressing is superb. It’s powerfully lemon, but not tart or bitter like you’d think.
I’m definitely making this dressing again. Next time I’ll add some toasted walnuts and crumbled goat cheese to the salad!
I also really love lemon dressing on salads that are grain-based, so that might be my next move!
About the Author: Chef Mimi
You had me at lemon! I am so going to make this … and you’re right, it would be fantastic on a grain salad like bulgur wheat or freekeh. In fact I’m going to make it right now. Thanks! Lxxx
Fabulous! You’ll love it.
I’m not even that much of a lemon lover, but this was spectacular.
I love anything lemony , so this dressing talks to me big time. I make a cake using whole lemons but I boil them before chopping them in the food processor.
Fascinating. You should have it on your blog!
It is on my blog
Love it. I saw Carla competing on Top Chef a few years back and was always a fan. Yes, I either have music or just my own (scary) thoughts whilst cooking.
Hahahaha! That’s why my music is loud!
… ok, so freekeh, raw zucchini, scallions, mint, your dressing and a hit of fresh chilli … delicious, thank you! :)
Oh yeah. I love raw zucchini in salads. Also love the mint and chili. Fantastic! Toasted pine nuts?
Ooh, toasted pine nuts … good idea! Will add them in just before we eat. Thanks again!
Well now I’m intrigued. The white part of the rind on citrus has always been extremely bitter to me but you said that didn’t come through. I may have to give this a go.
No, it didn’t. I never watched what Carla did for the actual recipe, but I know she put it in the blender. I don’t know if she strained it like I did, and if so, maybe that’s because of the pith. But the flavor was all lemon, no bitterness.
Perfect! I know the pith is excellent for helping the Vit. C be absorbed but it can be off putting.
I think that’s bioflavonoid? I used to take it just for that reason.
Yes, I think you are right.
Thanks Viki!
Inspiring Mimi, I’ll try it when I get back.
Enjoy your wonderful vacation!
Thanks Mimi.
Whole lemon…quite intriguing indeed..will have to try this one out👌👌👌 great post
Thank you!
Thanks for the recipe. I have to give this a go!
You’ll love it!
This looks so very delicious! I am a lemon fanatic and use the whole lemon many times, in salads as well. It is indeed such a tasty thing to do. By the way, the white layer is supposed to be quite healthy, with a high amount of pectin in it. A shame it’s usually thrown away.
If interested, check out this calamari salad, that includes diced lemon in it:
https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2016/06/12/calamari-salad/
I used to take bioflavinoids, which is extracted from the pith of citrus fruit, so I know you’re right about how healthy it is. And with a dressing this good, whole lemons should be used more often! Will look into that salad. LOVE calamari!
Lemon is the best ! Très appétissante présentation – amitiés :)
Merci beaucoup!
Loved your awesome recipe :)
Thank you!
I recently saw this same dressing used as a marinade on another blog. They must have been watching the same program. I added about 1/4 of a jalapeño and used it to marinate some chicken, it was good. I like your use for a salad.
It was probably Bewitching Kitchen! I love the jalapeño addition! This is definitely more of a dressing, or at least that’s how I made it. Really good, especially if you love lemon!
Very nice! Sally posted a marinade recently using whole lemons – I definitely need to get in on this action!!!
Yes, and she’d actually commented on my original post on this dressing. She couldn’t really place it, although I can’t claim it, since this is a dressing way more than a marinade, but it’s definitely unique and wonderful!
I really must experiment!
Such a simple and actually essential dressing you can use 100 different ways, love it!
Definitely! Thank you!
I was on holiday the first time I ever ate Avocado and the cook made a wonderful lemon dressing to accompany it. It had touch of garlic in it but was absolutely lovely and I have never been able to replicate it. Maybe this is what he did so I will try this – with a touch of garlic!! Thank goodness for your husband and the telly or you would never have been able to pass this on. Thanks!! 😀
Hahahaha! That’s so true, although I wish I’d paid attention to the actual recipe. Probably pretty close to what I did, though… It is definitely good!
I’m love lemony anything. Thanks for sharing this, sounds fab!
Then you will definitely love this dressing!
What a fantastic idea Chef Mimi – now I just need to find some unwaxed organic lemons! 🍋
You’ll love it!
I’ve already tried it chef Mimi in a spinach pesto – recipe to follow! Thank you
Spray your lemons with vinegar and it takes the wax right off!
Well if it is, you’ll LOVE this!
I can believe this is fabulous because I make a whole lemon lemonade too. (3 whole lemons, 2 cups sugar, and 2 cups lemon juice blended on high then mixed with 5 cups water). It has a thicker,smoothie-like consistency. Next up a dressing in my blender… GREG
Brilliant. And why not?!! I’m assuming you don’t strain…
I do love a good vinaigrette, but also I love dressings with lemon juice. I bet on fish it would be spectacular!
I do love lemon and can’t wait to try this! It would never occur to me that the whole lemon could be used. This is a “goody,” Mimi!
No, me neither. And the seeds!
Mimi – I love lemon and just about everything, but I often find lemon dressing is too acidic. However, I am absolutely fascinated by this and can’t wait to make it. I have a feeling that using the whole lemon or reduce the acidity a lovely dressing.
I’m actually surprised that I didn’t include a little honey in the recipe, because that would have been my first thought. I probably tasted it and was surprised at how good it was! And I’m not a lemon freak!
I love lemon anything Mimi, this looks and sounds absolutely PERFECT! Thank you so much for the idea of walnuts and goat cheese!
Such lovely salad additions! Enjoy the dressing!
About to make it. Will let you know.
Fantastic!
I love using whole lemon too in my lemonade and whole oranges in my cakes! This looks fantastic!
Someone else mentioned the lemonade, the cake orange sounds incredible!
The whole lemon? Gotta try that! I’m a lemon freak, so this is really appealing. Great dressing — thanks.
I’m not a lemon freak, and it’s fabulous!
That sounds marvelous! I’m very much into using the whole fruit. This might sound strange, but after squeezing a lemon, I will often grind the whole peel to crumbs, and blend them with oatmeal and cream (and sugar). I also make “whole orange” muffins. I can’t wait to try this!
Fascinating. Others have told me they make lemonade that way, and also put a whole orange in a cake. I was skeptical, mostly because of the seeds, but it’s wonderful!
This definitely sounds worth a go. I’m salivating already!
It was pretty amazing!
Hi Chef Mimi – thanks again for your inspiration – did you see my shout out in my last post? I’m loving the whole lemon idea….
No! I’ll have to make sure I get your posts. I’ll go check.
❤️ Love it!!
It’s so good!!!
I’m going to try it tonight for my dinner with the family
I love fresh lemon! I’m definitely going to make this!
You’ll love it then! I’ve since learned that some people do this for lemonade as well!
I’m so glad you’re going to make this. It’s amazing!!!