Nothing compares to the zesty, fresh taste of homemade olive oil and vinegar salad dressing. By blending your preferred vinegar with quality olive oil, you unleash a symphony of flavors that can marvelously elevate your salad and intrigue taste buds while providing a whole host of health benefits. This post takes you through the steps to follow to make a healthy olive oil and vinegar salad dressing.
Carefully Select Your Base Oil
You need to give your dressing a solid foundation and that is oil. Most people prefer olive oil because of its immense health benefits and rich flavor profile. The oil features monounsaturated fats that contain antioxidants for combating inflammation, heart problems, and more.
When making your choice, always go for the highest quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). This will enable you to enjoy the polyphenol rich olive oil benefits since the oil is less processed and contains most flavors and nutrients.
Find The Perfect Vinegar Tang
Vinegar helps incorporate acidity into your dressing to balance the smoothness of olive oil. You can choose from a wide range of vinegar options, such as balsamic, coconut, red wine, sherry, and apple cider vinegar.
Keep in mind that each vinegar type carries its unique flavors and possible health benefits. For instance, Balsamic vinegar is usually preferred due to its complex sweetness and the ability to include depth to a dressing. On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is known for its potential health benefits, like promoting weight loss and boosting digestion.
While you might want to identify your favorite vinegar and settle for it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with experimenting with flavors. This will help you determine what vinegar flavor you truly like.
Balance The Flavors
Use the right ratio of the oil and acidity to create harmony. A classic vinaigrette dressing recipe adheres to a ratio of 3:1, which translates to three oil portions to one portion of vinegar. You can adjust this ratio to align with your personal preference for vinegar type and acidity preference. Your ingredients should include:
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup vinegar
- Black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- Optional add-ins such as honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and herbs
Mix The Base
Add olive oil and your preferred vinegar to a bowl and whisk them together until well combined. Season them with salt and pepper until you achieve your preferred taste. Start with only a pinch and adjust accordingly to avoid overseasoning.
Add Extras
You can use the optional add-ins, like honey, to add sweetness to your dressing if it is too sharp. Lemon juice can help you brighten it up and add a citrusy kick if the dressing is too mellow. Dijon mustard, on the other hand, lets you add tang and creaminess to your dressing while minced garlic provides an extra punch. Consider using thyme, basil, parsley, or any other fresh herb to incorporate a vibrant, fresh flavor and aromatic touch into your salad dressing.
Emulsify For Stability
An emulsified dressing stays mixed for an extended time and evenly coats your salad greens. Consider using a food processor or blender to emulsify your dressing effortlessly, especially if you are incorporating ingredients like honey and mustard. If you don’t have either of the two, whisk the dressing vigorously to fully emulsify all the ingredients into a smooth dressing. Store your dressing in a jar with a tight-fitting lid or glass bottle.
Making your own healthier homemade salad dressing is simpler and more fun. The key is to use quality ingredients, balance all flavors, emulsify well, and store your dressing properly.
