The Secret Sauce(s) - using sauces to elevate a simple dish

Sometimes simple ingredients can be delicious in their most naked form (think fresh, ripe tomato off the vine with just a pinch of salt and pepper) and sometimes adding a clean, simple sauce to a dish can elevate the ingredients to the next level. This is especially true in plant forward eating, a sauce can transform a vegetable from a side dish or afterthought into the star of the show.

Grilled romaine drizzled with balsamic walnut vinaigrette

As a dietitian, I am always looking for ways to squeeze nutrition in any opportunity possible (every eating event is an opportunity to nourish!).

Here's the breakdown why these sauces are #RDapproved :

-Herbs are considered leafy greens, using them in sauces just creates another way to get them into your daily diet #score

-Pistachios highlighted in the lemony pistachio pesto are high in antioxidants and fiber, reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy gut

-Olive oil is a unsaturated, heart healthy fat and is used in small amounts in the featured sauces

-Using Multiple herbs provide a variety of flavors to elevate and brighten up any dish without having to add a lot of salt or fat

I am a big believer in quick and easy methods to develop a healthy dish. Using simple steps with simple ingredients is a formula I use time and time again and I take any opportunity to reuse and repurpose one ingredient multiple ways.

Here are other ways you can use these secret sauces:

-Easily thin down any sauce highlighted here by adding a little more wet ingredients (oil, vinegar, water) and turn it into a dressing for salad

-Use as a marinade for vegetables or meats (just make sure to get ride of the extra marinade from meats and do not reuse)

-Use as a dipping sauce for crusty bread

-Use as a topping for vegetable dishes to add flavor - Loads of Flavor

Here are my go to "secret" sauces:

Pistachio Lemon Pesto (great with pasta, on vegetables or as a dip for crusty bread!)

Chimichurri (brush on eggplant or cauliflower steaks and throw on the grill or dress up your black beans for your burritos)

Red Pepper Sauce, featured below (heavenly when paired with hot, crispy roasted potatoes, great with pasta, or use as a sauce to cook with chick peas or white beans and mix with quinoa or stuffed in a pita)

Walnut and Balsamic vinaigrette (Drizzle on top of steamed green beans or grilled romaine, featured above)

Check out the recipes here

Red Pepper Romesco with Crispy Potatoes