GAIL MONAGHAN

COOKING - ENTERTAINING - LINENS

May 2026 - Citrus Sesame Dressing

Gail Monaghan

CITRUS SESAME DRESSING

About the Recipe

This vinaigrette is great all year long and on almost anything. Spoon it over grilled or sautéed chicken, scallops, fish filets, shrimp or even halved lobster and garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced scallions and orange supremes. It also is perfect to sauce a mixed salad of baby greens, sliced fennel, endive, watercress, cilantro and orange supremes. If you have them, a handful of edible flowers always adds beauty and deliciousness.

Citrus Sesame Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon sherry or apple cider vinegar 

  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more to taste

  • 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced or grated

  • 2 scallions, cut into very thin rounds (green and white parts)

  • 1 large shallot, chopped or thinly sliced

  • Several drops of Tabasco sauce

  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 1-2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

  • 1-2 tablespoons tahini (optional)

METHOD

  1. Shake the first nine ingredients together in a lidded jar and let sit at least 30 minutes.

  2. Add the remaining ingredients and allow the flavors to marry for at least 30 minutes more.

  3. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, acid etc if necessary.

    This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.