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Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing

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Posted on: 2024-03-22
Updated on: 2024-03-22 11:31:07 by Mike

Mike
Image Of Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing Ready To Eat.

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Description

All my life I enjoyed experimenting with flavors and ingredients that transform simple meals into memorable feasts - I call it flavor stacking. It's been a delightful adventure, filled with trials and errors, and each recipe I conquer feels like a milestone. Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a creation that has become a staple in my kitchen - a Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing that's as elegant as it is easy to make.

This dressing is the embodiment of balance and sophistication, with its silky, smooth texture and a flavor profile that dances between sweet, sour, tangy, and utterly delicious. It's an all-rounder that graciously complements any lettuce mix, elevating your salads from mere side dishes to the stars of the dining table.

What makes this dressing special is the inclusion of my homemade garlic confit, affectionately known as 'garlic love'. This ingredient is a game-changer, offering a mellow, deeply aromatic quality that you simply can't get from raw garlic. If you haven't made my Garlic Confit aka Garlic Love recipe before, I highly recommend starting there. It's a simple process that yields a versatile condiment you'll want to use in everything.

Creating this dressing has been a journey of discovery. From understanding the importance of quality ingredients to mastering the emulsion process, every step has taught me something new about cooking. And now, I'm excited to pass on this recipe to you, along with a few tips and tricks I've picked up along the way.

Before we dive into the making of this liquid gold, let's gather our ingredients. I use reverse osmosis water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, white balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, canola oil, any old yellow mustard, granulated sugar, ground black pepper, green onions, and, of course, the garlic confit. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect harmony of flavors and textures in the final dressing.

So, whether you're a seasoned chef or a fellow newbie in the kitchen, I invite you to join me in making this Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing. It's a simple yet rewarding way to add a touch of elegance to your meals. Let's get started!

lemon balsamic salad dressing zoomed in
Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing Zoomed In by Mike Kearns

Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing Ingredients

Step-By-Step Instructions

Image of Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing ready to use/eat. Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing

Prep Time: 20 minutes.

Cook Time: 1 minutes.

Total Time: 21 minutes.

Yield: 40 Servings

Nutrition Information: 111 Calories per 2 TBSP serving.

Ingredients:
  • 4 Cups Canola Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 1/2 Cup Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Yellow Mustard
  • 2 TBSP White Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 TBSP Kosher Salt
  • 1 TSP Garlic Config aka Garlic Love
  • 1/2 TBSP Sugar
  • 1/2 TSP Black Pepper
  • 6 Green Onions
Instructions:
  • Step 1 - Gather your ingredients. You’ll need #1 - 1/2 Cup Water, #2 - 1/2 Cup Lemon Juice, #3 - 2 TBSP White Balsamic Vinegar, #4 - 1 TBSP Kosher Salt, #5 - 4 Cups Canola Oil, #6 - 1/4 Cup Yellow Mustard, #7 - 1/2 TBSP Sugar, #8 - 1/2 TSP Black Pepper, #9 - 6 Green Onions, #10 - 1 TSP Garlic Confit aka Garlic Love.
  • Step 2 - Pour ingredients into a mixing bowl. With the exception of the green onions and canola oil, pour all the other ingredients into the mixing bowl.
  • Step 3 - Whisk ingredients. Slowly, whisk ingredients for a minute or until all the sugar and salt have dissolved.
  • Step 4 - Pour mixture into mixer. Get out your favorite blender, mixer, food processor, magic bullet, etc and fill the vessel with the whisked mixture.
  • Step 5 - Rough chop green onions. Get out your knife and rough chop the green onions. First chop off the ends and discard them.
  • Step 6 - Add green onions to the mixer. By rough chopping the green onions, they will process quicker in your food processor. Once you have all the green onions in the mixer, turn it on and run the mixer for 1 minute or until the mixture appears smooth.
  • Step 7 - Store for later use. The Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing, once in a sealed container, will last in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks. I like to use a squirt bottle so the dressing is always ready to be squirted.
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Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing Drink Pairings

Alcoholic
  • Sauvignon Blanc

    This wine is a classic pairing for salads with vinaigrette dressings. Its crisp acidity, citrus notes, and herbaceous qualities can complement the lemon and green onion in the salad while balancing the acidity of the balsamic vinegar.

  • Prosecco

    If you prefer something sparkling, Prosecco is a great choice. Its light, fruity flavors will enhance the lemony zest of the dressing without overpowering the salad's freshness. The bubbles also add a pleasant textural contrast.

  • Dry Rosé

    A dry Rosé, with its hints of fruitiness and crisp finish, pairs wonderfully with salads. It can handle the garlic and mustard in the dressing well, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the salad's flavors.

  • Gin and Tonic with a Twist of Lemon

    For a spirit-based option, a classic gin and tonic with a generous twist of lemon can be delightful. The botanicals in gin and the bitterness of tonic water complement the salad's complexity, and the lemon twist echoes the dressing's citrus notes.

Non-Alcoholic
  • Lemon and Herb-Infused Sparkling Water

    Enhance a sparkling water with fresh lemon slices and a selection of herbs that match those in the salad (like chives or parsley). This drink is refreshing, hydrating, and mirrors the salad's main flavors without adding sweetness.

  • Iced Green Tea

    A lightly brewed iced green tea can be a subtle, refreshing accompaniment. Its slight bitterness and clean taste can balance the sweetness and acidity of the dressing, making it a harmonious pairing.

  • Cucumber and Mint Water

    For a more spa-like refreshment, cucumber slices and fresh mint in chilled water offer a cooling effect. This pairing is especially good if you're serving the salad on a hot day, as it will enhance the freshness of the greens and the zesty dressing.

  • Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer

    If you're looking for something with a bit of a kick, non-alcoholic ginger beer offers a spicy contrast to the tangy and sweet elements of the lemon balsamic dressing. Its fizziness adds a fun element to the meal, too.