Best French Dressing Or Basic Vinaigrette Recipes

FRENCH SALAD DRESSING (FRENCH VINAIGRETTE)

Steps:

• Place ingredients in a jar and shake well until combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for 5 minutes before using, or keep up to 2 weeks.
• Small Batch: Use to dress 4 handfuls of leafy greens.

GREEN SALAD WITH THE ULTIMATE FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a two-cup glass measure, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the olive oil and continue whisking until the vinaigrette is emulsified. Toss the greens with enough dressing to moisten and serve.

BASIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the shallots, vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; let the mixture stand 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustard, then add the oil in a very slow, thin, steady stream, whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

CLASSIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine in a large bowl or jar the shallot, Dijon mustard, salt, lemon juice, and red-wine vinegar. Whisk together to combine well. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Store jar in refrigerator if making ahead and shake well before using.
• Serve with 2 large heads Bibb, butter, or romaine lettuce that has been washed and dried well. Tear lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces and toss with dressing.

FRENCH DRESSING OR BASIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix the vinegar and salt and let stand a few minutes. Add the pepper and slowly whisk in the oil. Taste for acid and salt and add more if too bland. Stir to blend before using, or store in a jar with a tight lid and shake well before using.
• Mustardy French Dressing.
• Add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard. Blend well. Include onion and garlic, if desired.
• Onion or Garlic French Dressing.
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons minced onion, scallions, or shallots or 1/2-1 teaspoon minced garlic.
• French Dressing with Fresh Herbs.
• Add 2 teaspoons fresh chopped herbs, such as basil, chervil or tarragon.
• Curried French Dressing.
• Add 1 teaspoon curry powder and blend well.
• Cream French Dressing.
• Add 3 tablespoons heavy cream or sour cream and blend well.
• Fruit Salad French Dressing.
• Use lemon juice instead of vinegar and add 1/3 cup honey. Blend well.
• Blue Cheese Dressing.
• Add 3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese. Blend well.
• Cumberland Dressing.
• Add 1 tablespoon heavy cream, 1 tablespoon currant jelly, and 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind. Mix until well blended.
• Chiffonade Dressing.
• Add 1 tablespoon minced parsley, 2 tablespoons minced red pepper, 1 tablespoon minced onion, and 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped fine. Blend all ingredients well.

VINAIGRETTE FOR GREEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, garlic, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.
• Place the salad greens in a medium bowl and add enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with a little extra salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

BASIC VINAIGRETTE DRESSING WITH 8 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Shake all ingredients for your chosen variation together in a tightly-lidded container OR whisk together in a small bowl.
• Let stand 10 minutes to rehydrate dried herbs and blend flavors.
• Shake again then dress salad as desired.
• Note -- I recommend the lemon dressing on spinach.
• Note -- I recommend the Bacon Dressing, Mustard Dressing, and Balsamic Vinaigrette on strong greens such as escarole, curly endive, and dandelion greens.
• Note -- The sweeter version of the mustard dressing is great for a vinegar coleslaw if you discover that you have accidentally gotten one of those occasional cabbages that are a touch on the bitter side.
• Note -- feel free to play with other seasonings, more complex blends, flavored oils, and flavored vinegars. Once you've learned the technique you can customize your salad dressing to suit just about any meal.

FRENCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk the Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sugar, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl, or shake together in a jam jar.