Salad Secrets: Vinaigrette 101

IMG_0157

Recently, my family was together in Newport Beach for 10 whole days, all under the same roof. We were saying goodbye to my mother, and family mealtimes brought us all together. Though we were craving comfort food, I kept the family healthy by making some big main-course salads for lunch. My family kept telling me how much better they were than the salads they make themselves, but couldn’t figure out why. The secret? Homemade vinaigrette! Vinaigrettes are one of the foundations of cooking, something that everyone needs to master.

A bad salad dressing will ruin any salad, making it even harder to stay on track with a healthy diet. Sadly, almost all the dressings I’ve had from the bottle are downright awful, which is why so many people desperately ask me how to make them homemade. Guess what? You’re in luck! They couldn’t be easier to make and can be stored in the fridge for salads any time.

The first thing to know about a vinaigrette is that it is an emulsion— a suspension of fats (oil) in water (vinegar). All this means is that you’ll need a whisk, because the two need a little help mixing. Mustard is classically used to make the job easier. Beyond getting the two properly combined, the only other important factor is the oil to vinegar ratio. Classic French vinaigrettes can be as heavy as 4 or 5 parts oil to 1 part acid. However, the modern ratio has evolved into around 3:1. The thing is, it’s all about personal preference. Plus, some acids are far more acidic than others. I tend to prefer my salad dressings on the zippy side. I use a 2:1 ratio of oil to acid, but that doesn’t mean you have to! Follow my step-by-step vinaigrette guide to learn how to master two basic and one exotic vinaigrette recipes. But by all means, adjust acidity to your taste!

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

IMG_0082

Ingredients: Balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey mustard

IMG_0091

To a medium bowl, add 1 heaping teaspoon honey mustard and 1/4 cup balsamic. Whisk these together, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

IMG_0098While whisking, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.

IMG_0103As you whisk, you’ll see the mixture combine and thicken into a smooth dressing. Once it’s emulsified, taste and adjust the seasoning. This simple dressing is the most versatile vinaigrette– I put it on everything!

Shallot-Sherry Vinaigrette with Walnut Oil

IMG_0084Ingredients: Sherry vinegar, dijon mustard, shallot, and walnut oil

IMG_0105

To a medium bowl, add 1 heaping teaspoon dijon, 2 tablespoons minced shallot, and 1/4 cup sherry vinegar

IMG_0110Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper!

IMG_0114While whisking, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup walnut oil

IMG_0118Whisk until vinaigrette thickens and comes together. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy. While this dressing is a bit more involved (well, chopping a shallot), it is by far my FAVORITE salad dressing. Thanks to the depth of sherry vinegar and the nuttiness of walnut oil, this dressing is a stunner.  Shallot is a classic vinaigrette addition that adds the nicest bite— don’t leave it out!

Spicy Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

IMG_0088Ingredients: Canola oil, agave, apple cider vinegar, lime, hot pepper (I used Thai long chilies but you could use jalepeno, serrano, or whatever you like!), garlic, cilantro, and soy sauce (not pictured, oops!).

IMG_0124

Whisk together 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, 1 teaspoon minced chili pepper, 1 clove minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Don’t forget a pinch of salt!

IMG_0127

Go ahead and add in a tablespoon of agave and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Now we’re talkin!

IMG_0126While whisking, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup canola oil and mix until thick and emulsified.IMG_0136Okay, so this one is a bit more complicated, but you won’t believe how much it pays off. This dressing is truly the star of the show. It’s great for Asian slaws, noodle salads, and is a perfect dipping sauce for Vietnamese summer rolls (my favorite). It’s so good it’s nearly drinkable.

So, who’s excited to make a salad for lunch today? I am! I bottled each of these up in mason jars and put them in the fridge. Just a quick shake brings them back to life and I’m set for flavorful salads all week long. I think I’ll try the one below today, how about you?

IMG_0145Shaved beet, avocado, danish bleu, blood orange, haricots verts, bibb lettuce and arugula, YUM! I think I’ll go for the Shallot-Sherry Vinaigrette!

What are your favorite salad or vinaigrette combinations? I’m always looking for new combinations and ideas to spice things up. Comment, Tweet, or Facebook me yours!

129 Comments

  2. TracyElogs on at

    farmacie online autorizzate elenco: kamagra – farmacie online affidabili

  3. TracyElogs on at

    farmacia senza ricetta recensioni: viagra generico – viagra ordine telefonico

  6. TracyElogs on at

    viagra generico in farmacia costo: sildenafil prezzo – kamagra senza ricetta in farmacia

  7. Sonnyvor on at

    farmacie on line spedizione gratuita: farmacia online – acquistare farmaci senza ricetta

  10. TracyElogs on at

    farmacia online migliore: farmacia online – farmacie online autorizzate elenco

  21. TracyElogs on at

    farmacie online autorizzate elenco: avanafil generico – comprare farmaci online con ricetta

  23. TracyElogs on at

    viagra originale in 24 ore contrassegno: viagra senza ricetta – viagra consegna in 24 ore pagamento alla consegna

  24. TracyElogs on at

    comprare farmaci online all’estero: kamagra gel – farmacie online sicure

  30. TracyElogs on at

    farmacia online miglior prezzo: cialis generico – farmacie on line spedizione gratuita

  35. Terrynoida on at

    comprare farmaci online all’estero cialis generico farmacie on line spedizione gratuita

  38. TracyElogs on at

    farmacia online migliore: Avanafil farmaco – acquisto farmaci con ricetta

  39. TracyElogs on at

    farmacia online senza ricetta: cialis generico – comprare farmaci online all’estero

  41. Terrynoida on at

    viagra online spedizione gratuita viagra senza ricetta cerco viagra a buon prezzo

  47. MichaelAspet on at

    neurontin 30 mg: generic gabapentin – prescription price for neurontin

  50. MichaelAspet on at

    ventolin salbutamol: buy Ventolin inhaler – where can i buy ventolin over the counter

  52. MichaelAspet on at

    how to buy generic clomid: Buy Clomid Online – how can i get clomid no prescription

  61. RichardHuddy on at

    buying prescription drugs in mexico online: mexican pharmacy – mexican rx online

  62. Robertflisy on at

    mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: Mail order pharmacy – reliable online canadian pharmacy

  65. RichardHuddy on at

    mail order prescription drugs from canada: order medication online – viagra at canadian pharmacy

  73. Newsmax TV Live on at

    Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post I have got much clear idea regarding from this post

  78. ScottCiz on at

    lisinopril tablets india: buy lisinopril – lipinpril

  85. ScottCiz on at

    where to buy zithromax in canada: zithromax antibiotic – generic zithromax online paypal

  86. VernonTix on at

    purchase amoxicillin online without prescription: cheap amoxicillin – amoxicillin 500 mg without a prescription

  89. ScottCiz on at

    zestril 10 mg: buy lisinopril – zestril 20 mg tablet

  91. CharlesDat on at

    zithromax without prescription buy zithromax how to get zithromax over the counter

  96. RichardVor on at

    ed drugs pills for ed natural ed medications

  97. Timothyhon on at

    Kamagra 100mg price: super kamagra – Kamagra Oral Jelly

  107. RichardVor on at

    sildenafil oral jelly 100mg kamagra super kamagra buy kamagra online usa

  109. Timothyhon on at

    п»їkamagra: buy Kamagra – Kamagra 100mg price

  122. meydan live horse racing on at

    Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing

  124. High Vision TV on at

    This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.

  125. bbc persian on at

    Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post I have got much clear idea regarding from this post Watch bbc persian

  126. newsmax tv live on at

    I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles

  127. Don de Consejo Radio on at

    Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated

  128. news 1130 on at

    This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.

  129. 20bet on at

    Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *