Chicken Broth Base Reduces Fat In This Balsamic Dijon Dressing

At last you can enjoy a big, green salad without worrying about eating a big dose of fat or strange chemicals in the dressing.

Low-Fat Balsamic Dijon Dressing contains less than 1 gram of fat and just 38 calories per serving.

Best of all, you know it contains good natural ingredients, without any artificial flavors or colors, commercial thickeners, or excess salt and sugar.

Low-Fat Balsamic Dijon Dressing uses chicken broth instead of oil as its base.

Cook the chicken broth briefly and thicken it with ordinary cornstarch, then add vinegar, mustard and honey to create a tangy vinaigrette. The cornstarch helps the dressing cling to lettuce, so it stays on the salad and not in the bottom of the bowl.

You can further doctor the dressing by adding herbs and Parmesan cheese, or you can create a whole new taste sensation by adding garlic, green peppercorns or green onions.

Included here are the recipes for the basic dressing, and one variation, Low-Fat Herb and Parmesan Dressing.

Both dressings will stay fresh up to 10 days in the refrigerator. They also continue to develop flavor as they cool.

Low-Fat Balsamic Dijon Dressing

1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey

In a small saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Place the cornstarch in a small dish and stir in the balsamic vinegar to make a paste. Crush any lumps of cornstarch with your finger or the back of a spoon.

Pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling broth, making sure to add all the cornstarch mixture. Stir with a whisk or fork until the mixture thickens, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.

Stir in the Dijon mustard, cider vinegar and honey. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and chill completely before using.

Yield: 1-1/4 cup or 5 (2 tablespoon) servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 38 calories, 0.5 gram protein, 7 grams carbohydrate, 0.6 gram fat, (14 percent fat calories), no cholesterol, 87 milligrams sodium.

Low-Fat Herb and Parmesan Dressing

1 recipe Low-Fat Balsamic and Dijon Mustard Dressing (above)

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Into warm dressing, stir the dried basil, tarragon and grated Parmesan cheese. Chill completely before using.

Yield: 1-1/4 cups or 5 (2-tablespoon) servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 51 calories, 2 grams protein, 7 grams carbohydrate, 1.3 grams fat (23 percent fat calories), 2 milligrams cholesterol, 133 milligrams sodium.

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