Mages love surprises! One time, while heating up a nice slice of toast, I ended up casting a spell that summoned a fire elemental! Not only was I able to make many delicious slices of toast, but I was also able to burn my enemies to a crisp! The same thing happened when I went to make salad dressing and realized I was out of my usual go-to’s. I vaguely remembered a carrot salad dressing from a restaurant one time… but literally nothing else about it. Happy surprise, I threw a few things in the blender, and POOF! Neon veggie-based dressing!

It’s really delightful to turn fridge-stable staples into new and exciting things. Plus, Summer is a great season for salads- since everything green and delicious is growing bountifully. An overabundance of cucumbers, tomatoes, and greens of all stripes can make delectable, nutritious lunches and dinners. The basic formula that I use, is one grain (like quinoa or rice), one protein (like beans or tempeh), and as many greens and vegetables as you can fit. You want to find a dressing that complements, not obscures, the flavor of your veggies. If you want to surprise your eyes and your taste buds, give this delicious dressing a try!

This recipe is super easy since the blender does most of the heavy lifting. You may need to play with the liquid ratio to get the consistency where you want it, since different carrots will have different starch and water contents. This is a good starting place for a surprisingly creamy salad dressing loaded with sweet, savory flavor. It really zests up a green salad, and it makes a great dipping sauce for veggie sticks and chips. Blast your food with neon orange power!

Carrot Tahini Dressing (+4 mana, +3 health, +1 stamina)

Ingredients (makes two massive portions or 3-4 moderate ones)

• 2 medium carrots, peeled chopped into a few pieces
• 2 Tablespoons tahini
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 Tablespoons water (more or less as needed for desired consistency)
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste

Instruction

Blend until smooth!