Hi Everybody,

Just a quick question about a possible oil substitute that would work in salad dressings. Is there anything that I could use that would be less in calories? I believe that I'm consuming the bulk of my daily caloric intake with oil which may be one of the reasons for slow weight gain because of all the salads I eat daily.

I was thinking of using Mirin or a flavoured rice vinegar. Any thoughts?

Hi,

Here's some dressing recipes for you that I use from my Kushi macroiotic cookbook:

Tofu Dressing: Puree 1 small onion, 1/4 cup umeboshi vinegar, 1lb tofu, with 1/2 cup water.  Mix in 1 tbsp tamari 1/2 cup chopped scallions/chives.  This is also very yummy as a spread.

Umeboshi-Sunflower Dressing: Grind 2 pitted umeboshi plums into a smooth paste.  Add 1/4 cup chopped scallions/chives and grind for 2 mins.  Add 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup roasted chopped sunflower seeds and mix.

Umeboshi-Scallion Dressing: Grind 3 umeboshi pitted plums into a smooth paste.  Add 4 tbsps of tahini and grind again.  Add 1/4 cup chopped scallions and 1.25 cups water and mix to smooth consistency.

Umeboshi-Sesame Dressing: Grind 1/2 cup roasted sesame seeds until half crushed.  Add 1/4 cup umeboshi vinegar, 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup chopped scallions.  Grind 1-2 mins.