recipes & tips

I always keep on hand a bottle of homemade vinaigrette that I can use to dress salads, grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, lentils or almost anything. Using my basic recipe, you can create your own dressings with some of the following ingredients.

My basic recipe is 1 tablespoon mustard, 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 cups olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Combine the mustard with the vinegar and add salt, pepper. Whisk in the oil.

Variations:
• Add an artichoke heart and puree for a creamy texture
• Substitute dijon-style mustard
• Substitute truffle or walnut oil for the olive oil
• Substitute Sherry, Champagne or raspberry vinegar for the wine vinegar
• Add two tablespoons of fresh orange, lime or grapefruit juice
• Add one tablespoon of chopped parsley, tarragon, mint, basil or chives
• Add one clove of minced garlic or a tablespoon of chopped shallots
• Add two tablespoons of tomato juice and a splash of Tabasco
• Add one teaspoon of honey
• Add two ounces or more of Stilton cheese and puree in a blender
• Substitute truffle oil for the olive oil, lemon juice for the vinegar and puree in a blender with one artichoke heart