Delicious DIY Condiments: Learn How to Create Your Own Sauces and Spreads at Home!
Although store-bought sauces, condiments and dressings typically contain preservatives and moderately high levels of sugar and modified fat, you can maintain your standards on dietary health by preparing your own condiments in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Ketchup is one of the most versatile and popular sauces, but it’s easy to make your own and enjoy all the benefits. Make sure you have 6oz. tomato paste, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (adjust to your taste preference), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon mustard powder and combine until well mixed. This basic recipe yields 16 servings and makes a great addition to burgers and hot dogs or even to spruce up any meal.
Who doesn’t enjoy a good honey mustard? Combining 1/2 cup of stone-ground mustard, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, this dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to five days and makes for a great meal topper.
And for home chefs looking for a velvety Italian salad dressing, mix together ¾ cup of olive oil, ½ cup of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, 1 clove of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of oregano, and a pinch of pepper. Put the ingredients in a jar, close the lid and shake until they’re well combined. This dressing can easily be stored in the fridge and provide flavourful dressings that’ll last you a few days.
Making your own mayonnaise might sound intimidating, but if you keep it simple and use a pasteurized egg, you can craft your own condiment. We recommend using 3/4 cup of your favorite cooking oil, 1 large pasteurized egg yolk, and a pinch of salt. You will need to create an emulsification of these ingredients, so add the oil slowly and continuously beat the mixture until you get the desired consistency. Store in the fridge for maximum freshness and tasty meals.
What about ranch? Combine ½ cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of well-shaken buttermilk, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped onion, ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of dry mustard then mix until well combined. Add 2 tablespoon of chopped chives, 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped dill, as well as ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and voilà! Your ranch can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it ideal to add to any number of dishes.
Making your own condiments is a gratifying and budget-friendly alternative to store-bought sauces and dressings. With just a few ingredients and some know-how, you can enjoy the freshest condiments and minimize preservatives, modified fats and excessive sugar in your meals. Freed from synthetic ingredients, you can taste the true, genuine flavours of your food. So why not try your hand on spicing up your dishes and make your own condiments today?It’s no wonder why store-bought condiments are so popular after all, they come right off the shelf, already ready to enjoy. But did you know that it’s easier than you think to make your own condiments? Homemade condiments are healthier, cheaper, and better for the planet since they reduce the amount of plastic packaging. Plus, you get to decide exactly which ingredients go into your recipes, and you can customize your sauces however you like. Here’s how to make some of your favorite condiments with fresh ingredients right at home.
Ketchup is one of the world’s most beloved sauces, but most store-bought brands contain high levels of sugar and high fructose corn syrup, not to mention other questionable ingredients. Making your own ketchup is incredibly easy, and it’s more nutritious for you. Simply combine 6 oz. of tomato paste with 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or 1/4 cup water if you prefer a less tangy flavor), 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of mustard powder. Mix until everything is well combined, and your ketchup is ready to serve. It’ll keep in the fridge up to two weeks.
Honey mustard is another flavorful condiment that’s easy to make at home, and you can customize the recipe with your favorite stone-ground mustard. Combine 1/2 cup of mustard, 1/4 cup of honey, and 1/4 cup of rice vinegar and whisk until everything is well combined. This recipe makes one cup of honey mustard, which can be stored in the fridge for three to five days. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own mustard by grinding whole mustard seeds and adding a liquid of your choice—from water to vinegar, or even beer (the colder the liquid the spicier the sauce will be).
Italian salad dressing is a favorite across many cultures, and you can easily make a delicious batch at home. Start by mixing together 3/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon of Parmesan or Romano cheese, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, and a pinch of pepper (or more to taste). Put all of the ingredients in a jar, secure with a lid and shake until everything is well combined. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
If creamy dressings are more your speed, why not try making your own mayonnaise? Start by blending together 1 large pasteurized egg yolk with 1/4 teaspoon of total mustard and a pinch of salt. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and slowly stream in 3/4 cup of your favorite cooking oil (try avocado for a robust, earthy flavor) while continuously beating the ingredients. Store in the fridge, and use within three to five days. If your mayonnaise breaks at any point, you can always use a portion of 1 well-beaten egg yolk to reform it.
Finally, ranch dressing is a classic favorite, and making it at home is much simpler than you may think. Begin by mixing together 1/2 cup of mayo and 1/2 cup of well-shaken buttermilk. Separately, mash one clove of garlic with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped onion and 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt until a paste forms. Then, add the garlic paste with 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard to the mayo and buttermilk. Stir everything until it is well combined, then add 2 tablespoons of chopped chives, 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped dill and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in the fridge for up to one week prior to serving.
Making your own condiments is a fantastic way to add more fresh ingredients to your diet, reduce your levels of processed sugars and preservatives, and customize your sauces however you like. Plus, it’s naturally healthier, more cost-effective and better for the planet! Try making these sauces yourself and get creative in the kitchen by experimenting with different ingredients for your own custom homemade condiments.
