vinaigrettes/salad dressings - any good recipes

[jpiazzi]

Hi! It seems that I can't replicate the vinaigrette salad dressings (that come with my salad) when I am dining out at restaurants! I particularly enjoy vinaigrettes that are more vinegar based then oil based. Can anyone help me out!? I haven't really found any recipes that seem to compare!!! HELP :) I am specifically looking for italain, balsamic, and basil vinaigrette salad dressing recipes!!! Thanks so much!:)

[rosie_one]

This is our house dressing. It is fairly sweet Italian style vinagrette. Reduce the sugar if you want it to be more tangy.

3/4 cup Rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced fine
1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons basil, minced
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups canola oil

Mix and enjoy... refrigerate the rest.

[louiseee]

I use this basic Martha Stewart recipe with its various variations. I'm not sure, however, it meets what you are looking for in more vinegar than oil but you could play around with the proportions.

Martha’s Favorite Vinaigrette
Makes 1 cup; Prep time: 5 minutes; Total time: 5 minutes

1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Pinch sugar
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup white-wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of sugar.

2. Slowly add 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Or shake the ingredients in a jar, or whirl them in a blender.

Variations:

: Add 1 teaspoon minced garlic or 1/2 clove crushed.
[B}Balsamic[/B}: Substitute balsamic vinegar for the wine vinegar.
[B]Lemon Parmesan: Use fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar; add 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan.
Scallion: Add 3 chopped whole scallions (about 1/4 cup).
Herb:Add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, parsley, or tarragon.
Blue Cheese: Add 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, such as Roquefort.

[badunnin]

This is a Disney recipe...

Sun-Dried Tomato and Caper Vinaigrette
2 T julienned sun-dried tomatoes
2 T minced red onion
2 T drained capers
2 T lime juice
2 T champagne or white wine vinegar
1 t minced fresh basil
1 t minced fresh thyme
2 t minced fresh parsley
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1/4 c olive oil

[HeatherTx]

I use the Martha Stewart recipe posted above. It is really good and so easy to vary. I usually add 1-2 TBS of fresh chopped herbs too.

[Marsha]

We like a tart dressing, so I use equal amounts of oil & vinegar - 1/2 C each, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 Tbs Dijon mustard. I usually use a berry flavored vinegar but any vinegar you like will work.

[memartha]

Not to sound like Sandra Lee, but my dressing is "semi-homemade." I make Good Seasons Italian dressing with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and I make it the "light" way posted on the envelope (you sub some water for some of the oil). Everyone thinks this is the best dressing ever.

[jpiazzi]

Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for writing your vinaigrette recipes down for me! I am so excited to try all of them! I think i'm going to start with the top of the list and work my way down! I told my husband to be prepared for lots of salads this upcoming week :D

[Julie A]

This is our favorite

1 package good seasonings
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic
2 T honey
2 T water
1 tsp garlic

I'm psyched to try the others! (this one has too much oil for my preferences, but DH doesn't like it when I add more vinegar and less oil)

[MISSINDI]

Bumping up -- any more? I added these to my list to start trying... they sound great!

[HUNGRY!]

This is my favorite (I think I've posted it 5 times). Its from the Foster's Market Cookbook. I make it all summer long. I also like dressing made from Penzy's Italian Dressing mix.


Oregano Vinaigrette- Makes 1 cup

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablesspoons fresh oregano or marjoram or 2 teaspoons dried oregano or marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil (I used less)

Combine the vinegar, lime juice, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Slowly add the olive oil and whisk until all the oil is incorporated. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use up to 4 days.

[BeachBum]

This one isn't an herb vinaigrette, but its very good. I think it compliments blue cheese so well. I like it because it doesn't have much oil.

Cranberry Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspon salt

[louiseee]

BeachBum,
Thanks for the cranberry vinaigrette; I'm going to try it this weekend. I've been looking for a cranberry salad dressing and the ones I've tried (made with cranberry juice) haven't had much flavor.

[Kayla]

I know this isn't exactly what you were after, but it is so good, that I needed to post it. It's from my Gourmet recipe box, and I make a batch of it quite a bit. I found it when I searched for a dressing similar to one a restaurant which I worked at served. They called it Roman ... but I just call it good.

PARMESAN BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min

1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
1/2 oz parmesan, finely grated (1/4 cup)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Mince garlic and mash to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt, then whisk together with vinegar, lemon juice, basil, parmesan, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper.

Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until well blended.

Makes about 2/3 cup.

you can always add more vinegar and less oil if you like... it's really just up to how you want it to taste.

Cheers!