My Favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette
A few months ago I visited the kitchen of a reader, Lilian, and shot this kitchen tour. Lilian served me a really fabulous vegetable-centric lunch, including a salad with a perfectly balanced balsamic vinaigrette. I mentioned at the time that it was turning into a favorite salad dressing, but I just had to report back and say: It still is a favorite, and I keep a big jar of it around all the time now. It’s my favorite balsamic vinaigrette, and here’s why.
It’s not hard to make a balsamic vinaigrette; you just whisk a bit of balsamic vinegar together with olive oil. This is tasty on its own, but often people use too much vinegar and the dressing ends up harsh. I am always trying to find just the right balance.
But this dressing goes a step beyond the basic and adds honey, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper for a more balanced dressing. It’s ultra quick and easy to make, and the recipe makes a big batch.
I really appreciate the extra touch of sweetness in this dressing; I think the honey and the garlic balance out the acidity that can overwhelm in some balsamic dressings.
Which brings me to the real advantage here (and this goes for any homemade salad dressing!) — keeping a big jar of this stuff in the fridge helps me to eat salads every day. Knowing that I have a truly yummy dressing ready in the fridge makes me look forward to my lunch salad with an extra bit of anticipation!
Get the recipe: Balsamic Vinaigrette at Chinese Grandma
See Lilian’s kitchen tour: Lilian’s Sunlit Kitchen
What’s your favorite recipe for homemade salad dressing?
(Images: Faith Durand)