Creative and interesting uses for Viva's House Vinaigrette

Viva's House Vinaigrette is perfect for any salad; however, there are so many other ways to utilize this condiment. 

Add to your burger 

  • butter your burger bun on both sides and grill in the oven or on the BBQ before you add your perfectly cooked burger 

  • or, put on top of the burger directly in place of or in addition to your other favourite condiments - you will never turn back from this taste sensation 

Use as a dip for

  • your favourite crunchy veggies

  • blanched fresh Ontario asparagus

  • freshly grilled bread soldiers 

  • grilled, broiled or steamed shrimp

  • crispy chicken wings - sure beat that nasty blue cheese or BBQ sauce the fast food places hand out 

Use as topping for 

  • hard-boiled eggs

  • slices of avocado 

Use as a marinade for 

  • skinless, boneless chicken breasts - dry of the chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper then brush with the vinaigrette. Grill or bake until cooked thoroughly. 

  • Fish - a firm white fish such as cod or halibut - dry off the fish and season with salt and pepper then brush with the vinaigrette. Grill or bake until just cooked. 

  • Skewers - before you grill your skewers of chicken, beef, pork or shrimp, brush liberally with the vinaigrette. So much better and than BBQ sauce. 

Add to left-over spreads

  • hummus that has lost its lustre needs little brightness and loosening up. Add the vinaigrette gradually and keep tasting until you are satisfied with the taste and texture. It may need a bit of salt to make it sing - trust your taste buds. 

Use with cooked potatoes

  • step-up your potato salad by substituting the mayo for vinaigrette - it will be lighter and will keep longer for day two

Use for roasting root veggies

  • Use the vinaigrette in place of olive oil when oven roasting your root vegetables - it will add caramelization and give a flavour boost that you will love - don't forget to season with salt and pepper after you taste if needed.  

Add to legumes

  • for a crunchy protein snack, rinse a can of organic chickpeas in water and dry in paper towels or air dry for an hour. Toss them in the vinaigrette and bake at 425F until they are crispy and crunchy. Keep an eye on them though they can crisp up quickly. Store in an airtight container for days of healthy snacking. 

  • Plain cooked lentils or canned beans of any kind need a flavour boost. An easy and quick way to achieve this is the add the vinaigrette - along with some thinly sliced scallions and freshly chopped herbs if you have them on hand. 

Add to pasta and grains.

  • Fregula, pasta, rice, quinoa or couscous lack strong flavour on their own. A quick fix is to add the vinaigrette it is that simple. Be creative and add some texture and colour with crunchy veggies and poached fish, shrimp, or chicken for added protein. 

If you have creative uses for our vinaigrette, please let me know. Please comment below.