For the better part of the last 5 years I have not used store bought dressing.
Nope. Not when healthy, delicious dressing is so easy to make- and so much better for you!
And no Franco-Italophile expat-wanabee would be caught dead using store bought stuff, right?
I have both a favorite French vinaigrette as well as an Italian dressing that uses balsamic vinegar. They are both staples in my house.
Today I'd like to share the French Vinaigrette.
Keep in mind- I despise recipes, especially for something so simple. Frankly, it would take longer to read the recipe than it would to prepare the dressing!
French Vinaigrette
- good quality olive oil
- champagne vinegar
- small shallot, minced
- dijon mustard
- honey
- salt and pepper
In a large serving bowl, pour a little of the vinegar- a few tablespoons perhaps. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add a big dollop of dijon mustard, followed by about half that amount of honey.
Stir with a wire wisk until combined.
Now, add about three times the amount of olive oil as you did vinegar. The trick here is to whisk briskly as you s-l-o-w-l-y stream the olive oil into the bowl. When emulsified, add the minced shallot.
Leave the dressing in the bottom of the large bowl, place salad greens on top.
Toss at the table when ready to serve.
Et Voila! French Vinaigrette!
—
* Some other alternative for this dressing. Serve with a Salad Niçoise or over steamed potatoes.