Best French Vinaigrette Recipes

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 VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar, shallot, salt, mustard, and pepper until salt is dissolved. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.

FRENCH VINAIGRETTE SALAD

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first seven ingredients; shake well. , In a large salad bowl, combine greens and vegetables. Drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

FRENCH BRAISED LEEKS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cut the root end off the leeks, as well as the dark green stem end, leaving just the white and light green portion. Split them lengthwise and remove the outer two layers. Wash thoroughly under running water, being careful to rinse between layers to remove any grit. Shake off the excess water.
• Rub the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with the softened butter, then lay the leeks, cut side down, in the pan. They should fit snugly in one layer across the pan. Pour the wine and Chicken Stock over the leeks, sprinkle with salt and a little pepper, then cover with waxed paper or parchment (which will keep the tops of the leeks moist), and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Use a small spatula or tongs to turn the leeks once, halfway through the cooking process. When cooked, the leeks should be completely tender and not stringy. Turn them over once more, so the outer layers are facing up. To test doneness, I usually just peel off one or two outer layers, the last to get cooked, and sample them (if they are the least bit tough, cook for another 5 minutes).
• Remove pan from the heat and cool. If there are more than 2 tablespoons of juices left in the pan, remove the leeks to a serving platter and reduce the juices to 2 tablespoons. Reserve juices for the Dijon vinaigrette.
• Pour the dressing over the leeks and let sit for at least 10 minutes. These leeks are wonderful served warm or cold, but I like them best at room temperature.
• Dijon Vinaigrette
• Whisk together the shallot, mustard, vinegar, and pan juices in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

ARTICHAUTS VINAIGRETTE (ARTICHOKES WITH FRENCH VINAIGRETTE)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Simmer artichokes in the boiling water until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain.
• Mix vinegar, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Whisk in olive oil in a slow, steady stream until vinaigrette is blended.
• Start by eating the artichoke leaves dipped in the vinaigrette. Discard small leaves and gently scrape fuzzy choke from the hearts. Fill the hearts with vinaigrette and slice.

FRENCH ONION SOUP TOPPED FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS AND SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the pizzas: Heat the butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the thyme, onions and bay leaves and season with salt and pepper. Cook low and slow until deep caramel in color and very sweet, 35 to 40 minutes. Deglaze with the sherry, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Stir in the consomme.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toast the bread in the oven. Top with the onion mixture and the cheeses. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• For the salad: Combine the vinegar, honey, lemon juice and shallost in a large bowl and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustard and then the EVOO; season with salt and pepper. Add the greens and toss to coat with the dressing.
• Serve the pizzas with the salad.
• Cook's Note: The onion topping can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen.

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.

FRENCH VINAIGRETTE WITH HARD-BOILED EGG

Steps:

• In a bowl whisk together the mustard, the vinegar, and salt to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the vinaigrette until it is emulsified. Stir in the parsley. Halve the egg lengthwise, reserving one half for another use, force the remaining half through a coarse sieve into the bowl, and stir the vinaigrette until it is combined well.

FRENCH POTATO SALAD WITH MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette: whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
• To make the Dijon-basil mayonnaise: whisk together all the ingredients until well blended; cover and refrigerate until set to use.
• To make the salad: Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan; add in salt and lower heat to medium.
• Add in potaotes and cook, covered, about 20 minutes or until tender.
• Cool under running water and drain.
• Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Add potatoes, green onions, and parsley in a bowl.
• Add in the vinaigrette; toss lightly.
• Cover and refrigerate 6-8 hours.
• Serve with Dijon-Basil Mayonnaise--top the salad with a dollop.

FRENCH WALNUT OIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Shake and enjoy! A little goes a long way.

FRENCH TOAST BLT WITH ROASTED GARLIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Leave the oven on.
• Combine the heavy cream and eggs in a bowl and whisk to thoroughly blend. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Soak the bread in the mixture for 15 minutes, then turn the slices over and soak for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the canola oil. Once the oil is hot (it will shimmer slightly), fry the challah slices on each side until golden brown, working in batches. Transfer the challah to a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until the custard is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes; the bread should soufflé, or puff up. Remove from the oven, cover each slice with grated cheese, and return the pan to the oven to melt the cheese. Once the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes, remove from the oven. Put 2 slices bacon and 2 slices tomato on each slice of challah and drizzle with some of the vinaigrette. Toss the arugula with the remaining dressing (or enough to coat) and place atop each piece. Serve warm.

CLASSIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, sugar and seasonings together. Drizzle in the olive oil and continue whisking until the mixture thickens slightly. You may use an immersion blender if you prefer.
• If you refrigerate the dressing, bring it to room temperature and whisk (or shake well) before serving.

PAN SEARED SALMON WITH CAPER HERB VINAIGRETTE AND FRENCH LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the French Lentil Salad: Combine the diced celery, diced carrot, bay leaf, smashed garlic clove, rinsed and drained French green lentils, and 1 teaspoon (Diamond Crystal brand) kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Add cold water to cover the lentils by 2 to 3 inches.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, stir, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook the lentils for about 20 minutes or until tender yet firm - be sure to check them after the first 15 minutes of cooking. Drain in a fine-meshed sieve and discard the bay leaf. Transfer to quarter sheet pan, spreading them into a thin layer to cool (or alternatively, a large mixing bowl). Allow the lentils to cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, toast the walnuts on the stovetop. Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts to the pan, and stir continously until fragrant and they are beginning to brown. Remove from the heat and immediatley transfer the nuts to a bowl. Allow them to cool completely before roughly chopping. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil until emulsified. Add the cooked lentil mixture and toss gently to coat. Add the diced onion, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, dill, and toasted chopped walnuts. Toss gently to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to serve. If prepping ahead, refrigerate the lentil salad in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days.
• Prepare the Caper Herb Vinaigrette: Combine the diced shallot, capers, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped herbs in a small mixing bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. It should be puckery and acidic, but feel free to add another tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil if desired to dilute the acidity.
• Prepare and Pan Sear the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry (on both sides) with paper towels, and allow to come to room temperature slightly. Just before cooking, season both sides with kosher salt.
• Preheat a large stainless steel skillet set over medium-high heat. *Avoid over-crowding the pan by cooking the fish in batches if necessary. Water should dance on the surface on it is ready. Add 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil (or another high smoke-point cooking oil).
• Once the oil is shimmering, gently place the salmon fillets, skin-side down, into the skillet. Reduce the heat slightly. Press the fillets down in the pan with a flat heatproof fish or other spatula for the first 10 seconds of cooking or so - this will prevent the salmon skin from curling as it cooks. Contine cooking the salmon, skin-side down, until the flesh is cooked roughly 3/4 of the way up teh fillet, and the skin is crispy and rendered. If the fish is sticking, it is most likely not ready to be flipped. Flip the salmon fillets and cook briefly for 10 seconds or so on the fesh side or until an instant thermometer inserted in center of fillets reads between 120 (medium rare) degrees Fahrenheit.
• Transfer to a plate, skin side up, and lightly sprinkle with kosher salt. Allow to rest for a minute or two as you assemble the dishes.
• Assemble and Serve: Place a spoonful of the French lentil salad in the center of each serving plate. Top with the pan seared salmon, crispy skin side up. Spoon a generous spoonful of caper herb vinaigrette over the fish (or serve on the side) and serve immediately.

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.

GARLIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan boil the garlic in 2 inches water for 15 minutes, or until it is tender, and drain it.
• In a bowl mash the garlic to a paste and whisk in the cream, the mustard, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, whisking until the mixture is thickened slightly.
• Add the oil, drop by drop, whisking, and whisk the vinaigrette until it is emulsified.

CLASSIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the vinegar, salt and pepper, and stir until the salt dissolves. Add the oil and mustard and whisk until the ingredients are emulsified. Pour over a salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately

GARLIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan boil the garlic in 2 inches water for 15 minutes, or until it is tender, and drain it. In a bowl mash the garlic to a paste and whisk in the cream, the mustard, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, whisking until the mixture is thickened slightly. Add the oil, drop by drop, whisking, and whisk vinaigrette until it is emulsified.

FRENCH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the salt, vinegar, and shallot. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
• Whisk in the Dijon mustard and olive oil.
• Taste. If too sharp, add more olive oil and salt.

FRENCH BEANS WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE, CAPERS AND GARDEN CRESS

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, put the mustard, garlic and vinegar in a mixing bowl. Slowly add the olive oil while whisking until you get a thick dressing. Taste and season. Blanch the beans in boiling salted water for 4 minutes. Refresh and drain. Mix the beans with the vinaigrette and the rest of the ingredients, apart from the garden cress. Pile the beans on a serving plate and garnish with cress. When serving warm, mix the vinaigrette with the warm beans and the rest of the ingredients just before serving.