I sent this issue on vinaigrettes about one year ago. And since itās summer and we finally have lots of produce here in Colorado, I wanted to update it. Expect some tweaks, a new section, and new variations to try! Enjoy!
Vinaigrettes are the perfect concoction of flavor.
The combination of fat and acid in one sauce is a beautiful thing. The oil adds a luxurious, satisfying element to your food. Then the acid creates brightness, contrasting the oil and the food around itā¦ And if I made the vinaigrette, it probably makes you pucker too. But who doesnāt love a good puckering? š
Yet we still buy vinaigrettes at the store. And Iām just as guilty.
But no more.
Vinaigrettes are simple to throw together with whatever you have in your pantry. They are versatile enough so that you never get bored. And they are infinitely better than something you can find at the grocery store.
Weāve got no excuses people!
The classic French vinaigrette is basically extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar whisked together with a little bit of salt and pepper. Simple as that. But maybe a little basic. So I include a couple of other components in my vinaigrettes.
Aromatics: Think garlic, shallot, or even ginger. Something with a strong flavor that will diffuse throughout your vinaigrette. Even pungent herbs or whole spices could work.
Acid: Think vinegar or citrus juice. Acid is the hidden ingredient for making everything more delicious. It brightens flavors, making them taste even more interesting.
Emulsifier: Think mayo, mustard, or honey. Emulsifiers are the glue that holds a vinaigrette together since oil and vinegar donāt get along. You just need a little bit.
Fat: Think olive oil. Samin Nosrat said it best, āPut simply, fat carries flavorā. You need fat in a vinaigrette to enhance the flavor of the aromatics and the food you mix it with.
Salt: Think salt š. We need it everywhere in our cooking. Simple as that.
Now that weāve got the basic anatomy of a vinaigrette. Letās talk about crafting one.
Boomš„. And thereās your basic vinaigrette. It will keep in the fridge for a few weeks at least.
There is a formula for vinaigrettes! Remember the classic French vinaigrette? Itās a basic ratio of 3 parts oil to 1 part acid. BUT hereās the thing. Itās only a starting point. Your tongue should ultimately decide. š
Why? Well, the right ratio depends on your ingredients. Citrus juice is more subtle than straight vinegar. The sweetness in rice wine vinegar makes it milder too. In those instances, your ratio will probably be closer to 2-to-1. But even then, itās not a hard, fast rule. You might have grabbed a tarter lemon. Or maybe you like more acid in your vinaigrettes like I do. š¤·āāļø
So taste along the way.
What about emulsifiers? Use a ā of the amount you use for your acid. So if you add a tablespoon of vinegar, try a teaspoon of mustard.
And aromatics? That just depends. If youāre making enough vinaigrette for a salad for 4 people, youāre probably looking at 3 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon of acid. So one small shallot or a garlic clove is probably all you need. Remember you can always add more!
And at the end of the day, just start somewhere. And then taste! If it doesnāt taste AMAZING, tweak it until it does. My guess is you probably need more acid or another pinch of salt.
When trying out new flavors in a vinaigrette, consider the basic anatomy. As long as you check all the boxes, go crazy!
Here are a few ideas:
I knowā¦ You want exact measurements. But Iām not going to give them to you! I promised no recipes in this newsletter and I meant it.
Remember, taste as you go! Decide for yourself what else the vinaigrette needs. It will only make you a better cook and ensure you like what youāre making.
Even if youāve never made a vinaigrette before, you can do this. Iām confident it will turn out great! After all, youāll have vinegarās luck. š
I hope this is the end of your urge to buy pre-made salad dressings. When you can whisk up a beautiful vinaigrette in a few minutes with whatever you have on hand, why ever go back?
Luciano šØāš³
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