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Making a vinaigrette
Beginner Sauces and stocks
Making a vinaigrette is a dressing of oil and vinegar or citrus, shaken or whisked together with salt and seasonings.
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How do you do it?
- Start with about 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar, then adjust to taste.
- Whisk the vinegar, salt, and a spoonful of mustard or honey first.
- Drizzle in the oil while whisking, or shake everything hard in a jar.
- Taste on a leaf of the salad and adjust salt or acid.
Why does it work?
Oil and vinegar don't mix on their own. Mustard and honey help hold the droplets together so the dressing stays blended longer, and salt dissolves in the vinegar, not the oil.
What are the common mistakes?
- Adding salt to the oil — it won't dissolve and tastes gritty.
- Tasting it off a spoon — it seems too sharp; test it on greens.
Still stuck? Watch someone do it on YouTube.
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