Recipe: Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
Like any recipe, once you’ve mastered the most basic version, it’s fun to step things up with flavorful tweaks and variations on the original. Take a classic vinaigrette, for example — if you’re looking for some extra oomph, the addition of fish sauce is what your salad dressing has been missing.
This recipe is a play on a basic vinaigrette; the kind of dressing that you’re probably already familiar with. To give it an upgrade, we’re mixing in some fish sauce, along with a little bit of honey. Here, fish sauce acts like an umami bomb; it tames the tang of the vinegar and adds another savory element to the dressing.
The one thing to remember when using fish sauce is that a little goes a long way. Go overboard and you’ll certainly pick up an extra-fishy flavor, with a big dose of salt and a pungent aroma. But when used in moderation, fish sauce proves to be a surprisingly transformative ingredient.
As for what kind of salad to serve with this flavorful vinaigrette, the sky’s the limit. It works with just about everything, but if you need some ideas, here are a few of my favorites.
5 Salads to Dress with Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
Makes about 1 cup
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup
red wine or white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons
fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon
honey
- 1/4 teaspoon
salt
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon
fresh-ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup
olive oil
Instructions
Combine the vinaigrette ingredients in a jar or other container with a lid. Screw on the lid and shake the jar vigorously for a few seconds until the vinaigrette comes together. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.