Best Simple Vinaigrette Recipes

SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Set a medium bowl on a kitchen towel shaped like an "O" (this helps keep the bowl steady while whisking). Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in the bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously until the mixture is combined and blended well. Use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

SIMPLE LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, mustard, and fine sea salt, whisking until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Add 3 tablespoons of the oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until the dressing is well blended. Season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. If desired, whisk in the remaining oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly. DO AHEAD: The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 3 days.

SIMPLE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toss the greens, salt and pepper together with just enough vinaigrette to coat, about 1/2 cup. Place them in a decorative bowl and top with the grape tomatoes and bell pepper. Serve the remaining vinaigrette on the side.
• Put the shallot and basil into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until the shallot is finely chopped. Add the balsamic, sugar, salt and pepper and pulse again. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a steady stream through the feed tube. Pour the vinaigrette into a small bowl and serve.

SIMPLE GREEN SALAD WITH CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the cherry tomatoes, onions, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, bell peppers and cucumbers in a large salad bowl.
• In small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Gradually whisk in the oil to emulsify. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Toss the salad with vinaigrette and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.

SIMPLE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar with salt, pepper, garlic, Dijon and/or sugar (if using) until all is dissolved. Taste BEFORE using either one or both of the optional ingredients.
• Very slowly start to drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to vigorously whisk.
• Use immediately on your favourite salad of mixed greens and enjoy.
• *Note: Store unused vinaigrette in a screw top jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. (I usually make a double batch to always have some handy, so when I'm in the mood for a salad, I don't have to bother making the dressing). Shake well before each use.

SIMPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Using a small blender such as a magic bullet or a stick blender, mix everything together except for the oil.
• Continue blending as you slowly drizzle in the oil, in a steady slow stream.
• Season with additional S&P if you like.

SIMPLE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients, top with blue cheese and serve immediately.
• If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.
• Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients, top with blue cheese and serve immediately.
• If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.

SIMPLE AND FLAVORFUL BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk vinegar, mustard, sugar, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add oil in a thin stream, whisking continually until emulsified. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

TOSSED SALAD WITH SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the lettuce, cucumber, tomato, basil and onion. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

SIMPLE GREEN SALAD WITH HONEY TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Roughly chop the tomatoes and mix with 2 teaspoons salt and the sugar. Let macerate for 10 minutes to get the juices running, and then use your hands to crush the tomatoes. Place the tomatoes in a fine mesh strainer set over a saucepot. Use a rubber spatula to press all the liquid out of the tomatoes. Discard the solids and save all the sweet juice.
• Set the pot over medium heat and add the honey and garlic. Simmer for 10 minutes or so until you are left with about 1/2 cup worth of tomato juice.
• Turn the heat off and add in the Dijon mustard. Then whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsification and season with salt and pepper.
• For the salad: In a large bowl, add the greens and basil leaves. Pour over some of the vinaigrette to lightly coat the greens and gently toss. Shave some Parmesan over the top and finish with a few more cracks of fresh black pepper.

SIMPLE DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mini blender or mini food processor, whisk or blend Dijon and vinegar until smooth. Add oil, sugar, salt and pepper and mix until completely emulsified. Taste and add more sugar, salt or pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.

SIMPLE GREEN SALAD WITH CELERY SEED AND VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt, then whisk together with celery seeds, vinegar, and oil in a large bowl. Add lettuce and toss to coat.

IRELAND'S SIMPLE GREEN SALAD FOR 2 WITH LIGHT LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare the salad dressing by whisking all ingredients together. Best prepared at least 1 hour in advance. Yield: approximately 1/4 cup.
• Place the spinach leaves in an attractive wide salad bowl.
• Arrange the tomatoes around the edges. Arrange the onion, cucumber, too in little mounds around the edge of the bowl. Toss in the celery.
• Grate the carrot and place in in the center of the salad. Top with the basil, if using.
• Serve dressing on the side and lightly drizzle.
• Meal suggestion: Salad, corn on the cob, fresh fruit and crostini.

SIMPLE RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and let sit at room temperature until sugar is dissolved, mixing occasionaly.

SIMPLE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.
• Can be used as a dressing and a marinade.
• *If using a good quality balsamic vinegar you should not need the sugar, but if using a lesser quality you might want the sugar to round out the dressing.

SIMPLE GREEN SALAD WITH HERB VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the salad: rinse the lettuce in chilled water. Remove from water, wrap in damp paper towels and refrigerate.
• Marinate the cucumber, celery, squash, carrots, tomatoes, and onions, separately, with the herb vinaigrette. Cover each, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Slice the tortillas into 4-inch long, thin, triangular strips.
• In a large pan, add 1/2-inch of oil and heat. When the oil is hot, fry the tortillas until they are crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, season, and let cool.
• Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add the marinated vegetables and toss with some more of the Herbed Vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the crispy tortilla strips.
• To make the dressing: in a small food processor, combine all ingredients and blend for 45 seconds to 1 minute until emulsified.

ROASTED BELL PEPPERS WITH SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Place the bell peppers onto a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven until the skins are nicely blackened, about 30 minutes. Turn the peppers once halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once blackened, place the peppers into a bowl, cover with foil, and allow to steam 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and capers in a bowl; set aside.
• Once the peppers have finished steaming, remove and discard the stems, skins, and seeds. Cut the peppers into quarters and stir into the vinaigrette. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.