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Recipes for salad dressings

Your own dressing is easy and quick and, once mastered, you can customize it to suit your dish, and experiment with flavored oils and vinegars. Double up the quantities if using for large salads or a number of meals, and store in the refrigerator.

Basic technique for salad dressings

From a classic French or Italian dressing, to a blue cheese one, the preparation method remains the same. Remember to taste as you go, tweaking it by adding a little more vinegar, or a little more oil.

Step by step directions for homemade salad dressings

Step 1

Measure out your basic ingredients 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar.

Step 2

Combine the vinegar and oil, together with other ingredients, if using.

Step 3

Whisk or shake to emulsify.

French salad dressings recipe

Good for:

Dressing over green salads, avocados, or shredded vegetables.

Ingredients you need

2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1: Add the vinegar and mustard to a small bowl, or screw top jar with lid, and mix together or shake until well combined.

Step 2: Add the oil, and either whisk until combined,or put the lid on the jar and shake well.

Step 3: Taste, and add more vinegar, mustard, or oil if needed. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, and whisk or shake again.

Asian salad dressings

Good for:

Dressing over noodles,seafood, and Thai style salads.

Ingredients you need

2 tbsp white wine vinegar
Juice of ½ lime
Pinch of superfine sugar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 red chile, deseeded and finely diced
2.5 cm (1 inch) of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
2 lemongrass stalks, topped and tailed, and hard leaves removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1: Add the vinegar, lime, and sugar to a small bowl, or screw top jar with lid. Whisk.

Step 2: Add the oil and either whisk until combined,or put the lid on the jar and shake well. Add the remaining ingredients, whisk or shake, and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Blue cheese salad dressings

Good for:

Dressing over crisp leaves, or a chicory and pear salad.

Ingredients you need

2 tbsp white wine or cider vinegar
Juice of ½ lemon
2 tsp mayonnaise
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
75g (2½oz) Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1:Add the vinegar, lemon juice, and mayonnaise to a small bowl, or screw-top jar with lid, and mix together until well combined.

Step 2: Add the oil, and either whisk until combined, or put the lid on the jar and shake well, until it has emulsified. Add the cheese, and whisk or shake again. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.