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Versatile Vinaigrette

A basic vinaigrette can be quickly made with only a few key ingredients found in the pantry.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    yields 1 1/3 cups

Ingredients

1/3 cup vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup olive oil (extra-virgin is nice)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Either whisk together all of the ingredients or whirl them in a blender for a few seconds.

    Step 2

    Vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for weeks. When cold, the oil tends to become milky-looking, partially solidified, so remove the dressing from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

  2. variations: Herbed Vinaigrette

    Step 3

    Add fresh or dried herbs. Whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of minced fresh dill, chives, tarragon, thyme, basil, mint, or marjoram, or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried. For the best flavor, allow dried herbs to steep in the vinaigrette for at least half an hour.

  3. Toasted Pecan Vinaigrette

    Step 4

    Add 2 tablespoons of toasted pecans. Purée all of the ingredients in a blender for about 30 seconds, until smooth and thick. (In this vinaigrette, we especially like balsamic vinegar or red or white wine vinegar.)

Cover of the cookbook Moosewood Simple Suppers with a red floral motif.
From Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table. Copyright © 2017 by Moosewood Collective. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC. Buy the full book from ThriftBooks or Amazon.
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