Basic Vinaigrette With Variations Recipes

BASIC VINAIGRETTE DRESSING WITH 8 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Shake all ingredients for your chosen variation together in a tightly-lidded container OR whisk together in a small bowl.
• Let stand 10 minutes to rehydrate dried herbs and blend flavors.
• Shake again then dress salad as desired.
• Note -- I recommend the lemon dressing on spinach.
• Note -- I recommend the Bacon Dressing, Mustard Dressing, and Balsamic Vinaigrette on strong greens such as escarole, curly endive, and dandelion greens.
• Note -- The sweeter version of the mustard dressing is great for a vinegar coleslaw if you discover that you have accidentally gotten one of those occasional cabbages that are a touch on the bitter side.
• Note -- feel free to play with other seasonings, more complex blends, flavored oils, and flavored vinegars. Once you've learned the technique you can customize your salad dressing to suit just about any meal.

SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Set a medium bowl on a kitchen towel shaped like an "O" (this helps keep the bowl steady while whisking). Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in the bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously until the mixture is combined and blended well. Use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

BASIC VINAIGRETTE WITH VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Whisk the garlic cloves, mustard, vinegar, kosher salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
• While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify.
• Taste for salt and pepper.
• Variations:.
• Use any other vinegar you have, including red wine vinegar and balsamic.
• Leave out the garlic or add herbs as you like.
• Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano and/or substitute lemon juice for the vinegar for a Greek-like dressing. I would leave out the mustard for this but the dressing will not emulsify as well without it.

EVERYDAY VINAIGRETTE WITH LOTS OF VARIATIONS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine oil, water, garlic, mustard and salt and pepper.
• Mix well.
• Variations: Add ONE of the following to the dressing: 1 tsp sesame oil. 1/4 tsp cumin. 1 fresh Parmesan cheese, grated.
• Herb Dressing: Add 2 T chopped fresh herbs (basil, dill or parsley or a combination).
• Poppyseed Dressing: Omit mustard and garlic. Add 1 T poppy seeds and 1 tsp sugar.
• Ginger Garlic Dressing: use 1 T each of vegetable oil and sesame oil; add 1 tsp finely minced gingerroot, omit mustard.