Coconut kefir dressing on romaine

Coconut kefir dressing on romaine: a fresh, creamy salad with coconut kefir, dill, lemon, Dijon mustard and garlic – light, aromatic and quick to make.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 150 kcal per serving
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Carbs: 6 g

Ingredients

• 1 small garlic clove
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 150 ml coconut kefir (from the chiller cabinet)
• 1 tbsp hemp oil (or olive oil)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Sea salt and pepper
• 1 bunch of dill

Method

You’ll need: chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Rinse the romaine hearts in cold water, shake them dry and halve them lengthwise, leaving the stalk on.
2. Wash the dill, remove the coarse stalks and chop it finely. Peel the garlic clove and crush it with a little sea salt to a fine paste.
3. Stir the coconut kefir with the garlic paste, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and hemp oil or olive oil in a small bowl until smooth.
4. Fold the dill into the dressing and season with sea salt and pepper. Keep the dressing cool until you serve.
5. Lay the lettuce halves cut side up on plates and spoon the dressing over so it runs between the layers of leaves.
6. Serve cold straight away and finish with a little black pepper if you like.

Good to know

A salad like this feels fresh and pleasantly creamy at the same time. On warm days especially, it's exactly the kind of plate that just fits.

Swaps

Hemp oil → olive oil (more monounsaturated fats) | Dill → parsley (more vitamin C and folate) | Lemon → lime (similarly fresh, slightly different aroma)

Allergens

Contains mustard and, depending on the coconut kefir, possibly traces of other allergens. For children, the mild version without much garlic is often nicer; during pregnancy, pasteurised products from the chiller cabinet are the safe choice.

Frequently asked questions

What's in romaine lettuce, nutritionally?

Romaine mainly contains folate, vitamin K and smaller amounts of beta-carotene. It also has water and fibre, which make it light and crunchy.

Does coconut kefir contain live cultures?

It can contain live cultures, but that depends heavily on the manufacturer and the cold chain. Not every coconut kefir contains the same amount or variety of microorganisms.

What's the difference between hemp oil and olive oil in this dressing?

Hemp oil provides more polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Olive oil mainly contains monounsaturated fats and gives a more classic, often milder dressing flavour.

What if raw garlic doesn't agree with you?

That can happen, because garlic contains sulphur compounds and fermentable carbohydrates. If you're sensitive, use less or let it sit briefly in the lemon juice so it becomes milder.

What should you know about Dijon mustard?

Mustard is an allergen that must be declared and can cause reactions in sensitive people. It also brings heat and plant compounds from the mustard seeds.

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