Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing with Roasted Garlic

This creamy sun-dried tomato dressing with roasted garlic is the perfect way to add a burst of flavor to your favorite salads and vegetables. It's made with a few simple ingredients, including sun-dried tomatoes, cashews, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and roasted garlic. The dressing is blended until smooth and creamy, and then seasoned with lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. It's a delicious and versatile dressing that can be used on a variety of dishes.

I've always been a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, but I never really knew what to do with them beyond adding them to salads. One day, I was experimenting with different salad dressings and I decided to try making one with sun-dried tomatoes. I started with a simple base of olive oil and lemon juice, and then I added some nutritional yeast for a nutty flavor. I also added some roasted garlic for a bit of sweetness and depth. The dressing was delicious, and it was the perfect way to showcase the flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes. I've been making this dressing ever since, and it's always a hit with my friends and family.

Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed
• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours or overnight
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 2 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and reserve the oil.
2. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the drained sun-dried tomatoes, cashews, olive oil, nutritional yeast, roasted garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a little bit of the reserved oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
5. Drizzle the dressing over your favorite salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken.
6. Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.

Why It Works

• The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cashews, and olive oil creates a rich and creamy base for the dressing.
• The nutritional yeast adds a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the roasted garlic.
• The lemon juice adds a bit of brightness and acidity to the dressing, which helps to balance out the richness of the other ingredients.
• The oregano adds a subtle herbal flavor to the dressing.
• The salt and pepper help to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and to create a well-balanced dressing.