Italian Vinaigrette (Printable Version)
Zesty Italian vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs, garlic and Dijon; ideal on salads or grilled vegetables.
# What You Need:
→ Base Liquids
01 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
02 - 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
→ Aromatics & Seasonings
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)
→ Salt & Pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - In a medium bowl or mason jar, whisk together the red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, honey (if using), kosher salt, and black pepper until well blended.
02 - While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil in a thin steady stream. Continue whisking until the dressing emulsifies and thickens to a creamy consistency.
03 - Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the salt, pepper, or acidity level as needed to suit your preference.
04 - Use the vinaigrette immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. Shake or whisk vigorously before each use to re-emulsify.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- It takes literally ten minutes and uses pantry staples you probably already have.
- The emulsification trick makes it creamy without a single drop of dairy.
02 -
- Pour the oil too fast and the dressing will break into a greasy separated mess that no amount of frantic whisking can fix.
- Letting it sit for fifteen minutes before serving transforms the flavor because the dried herbs need time to rehydrate and release their oils.
03 -
- Shake the jar like you mean it for at least thirty seconds because patience is what separates a creamy vinaigrette from a watery one.
- Double the batch because it disappears faster than you expect and having a jar in the fridge means you will never reach for the store bought stuff again.