Award-winning Miso Sesame Dressing

Last weekend I entered a salad dressing contest at the Taste of Kalo in Kapa'au. Kapa'au is a small town in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii. The Taste of Kalo (kalo = taro) was put on by Community Harvest Hawaii, a wonderful organization that promotes food distribution in the community via free meals made from excess produce, and many other programs. Please check them out if you live in the area.

The event also included an Iron Chef style competition in which the participants had to use kalo in their recipes. We got to taste all the ono entries and vote for the best one. There was so much food, and the best part, it was all free!

Here the judges are presiding over the salad dressing tastings. My friend took this photo because contestants weren't allowed to watch the judging. Good thing for me, it's a little nerve wracking.

After stuffing ourselves with delicious island kalo and produce, the awards were announced. My salad dressing got third place! See the recipe below.

Rae with mounds of salad

Community Harvest Hawaii is helping to build a local, sustainable food system in North Kohala. Join them on the 2nd Friday and Saturday of every month at the Kohala Intergenerational Center in Kamehameha Park. 

Miso Sesame Dressing
Recipe also featured on Easy Natural Food
Dresses about 4 salads

1 garlic clove
1 piece of ginger, peeled, same size as garlic clove
1 green onion, white part only
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
1 tsp white miso paste
1 tsp mirin
1 tsp agave syrup
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Place all ingredients except oils into a food processor and pulse until combined and solids are thoroughly chopped. With the processor on, slowly drizzle in oils. You may need to add a little more oil or vinegar depending on how thick you like it. Taste. Add salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!