If you happen to be someone that does enjoy a good salad, but find them
a little bland without some kind of dressing, instead of buying a ready
made one, why not try and make your own. Below we offer you a number of
different very simple ways along with a basic recipe for your to make
your own salad vinaigrette dressing in a matter of minutes.
Making a very basic vinaigrette is very easy to do and will provide
your salad with a little more oomph. All you need is either a food
processor, blender, whisk (electric or hand) or a jar which will be
used to mix the ingredients of your dressing up with. In most cases a
very simple vinaigrette dressing for salads is made up of 2 parts oil
to 1 part vinegar and a few herbs and spices added to provide a little
more flavor.
If you want to make a very quick vinaigrette to go with a salad then
the best way to do this is by using a blender or food processor. Once
you have the ingredients together, first pour the vinegar (1 part) into
the machine and then to this add spices and herbs to taste and blend
together well. Next whilst the machine is still running you begin to
slowly pour in the oil (2 parts) until it has all gone and the mixture
has been combined together.
As for using a whisk again first place the vinegar in the bowl with the
herbs and spices and then very gently begin to whisk them together. Do
not whisk too vigorously but as soon as you feel that this have been
blended together well you can now very slowly start to add the oil.
Initially add the oil a tablespoon at the time then once half of it has
been added you can then begin to add the rest in 2 or 3 tablespoons at
the time. Remember you should continue whisking all the time. So you
will probably find it much each to make a salad vinaigrette using an
electric rather than manual whisk.
But probably the easiest and simplest way for you to make a good basic
salad vinaigrette dressing is to first put the herbs and spices with
the vinegar into a jar and shake vigorously (do not forget to put the
lid on before you do this). Now take the lid off and add 1 tablespoon
of the oil to the mixture then put the lid back and again shake
vigorously. After the first tablespoon of oil has integrated with the
rest of the mixture, you can continue to pour in the rest by adding 2
or 3 tablespoons at a time and shaking vigorously after the oil has
been added.
For you to make a very basic vinaigrette dressing for a salad next time
you are having one you will need to get the following ingredients
together.
1. 1 Cup Olive Oil (Extra Virgin is best for this kind of dressing) 2.
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar (But you could try others such as white wine
or cider) 3. Three cloves of garlic (which has to be pressed) 4.
Oregano (1 tspn) - Go for fresh rather than dried if you can 5.
Rosemary (1/4 tspn) - Again better to go for fresh rather than dried.
As soon as you have all the ingredients together then you just need to
use one of the methods mentioned above to help combine them all
together. In a lot of cases you will have a flavorsome salad
vinaigrette dressing in a matter of minutes and as long as it is kept
in a sealed jar and in the refrigerator will last for as long as two
weeks after being made.
