Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: August 7, 2009

I was perusing through some of Julia Child's great cookbooks last night and came upon her recipe for Basic Vinaigrette Dressing. I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm horrible at making salad dressing. If it extends beyond a good oil, a splash of lemon juice, and some salt, I'm afraid I tend to fail miserably. Inevitably it comes out too vinegary or just simply lacking in flavor. Salad dressing should be easy, right!? I can create a beautiful cassoulet, a lovely osso bucco, delicate homemade pasta, even fresh sushi. But a simple salad dressing? Not my forté. I usually pass the task on to Barnaby.
So, I'm turning a new leaf (pardon the salad pun), grabbing the oil and vinegar bottles by the <er> horns, and approaching this salad dressing business with a new attitude.
I..will..master..the..vinaigrette!
Who better than to show me the way than our friend Julia Child. I followed her Basic Vinaigrette recipe and minced scallions, mixed in some Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, some vinegar and lemon juice, a really good olive oil, and a few healthy cracks of fresh black pepper. I gave it all a little vroom! vroom! with the immersion blender and voilà, the perfect vinaigrette. Like Julia says, you can always add more vinegar or lemon but you can't take it out. I spooned some into the salad bowl, added my just-snipped-from-the-garden baby lettuces, and gave it all a toss. A bit of lemon zest gave it a fresh snap of flavor.
I think Julia would have been proud.

Comments:
Actors Diet
August 7, 2009

I always make a fresh salad dressing for guests.  I don't know why I'm incapable of doing it for myself!  Hm....
Alisa

Great job with the vinaigrette, your salad really looks delicious!
Sally

I found a great formula for vinaigrette here:
http://www.goinglocal-info.com/files/3-2-1-honey-balsamic-dressing.pdf
I've substituted other vinegars and/or citrus juice for the balsamic.  One of my favorites is a combination of red wine vinegar and lemon juice.  Yum!  Sometimes I add garlic or shallots or about 1/3-1/2 part dijon mustard. Oh, for Asian salads, I've also added 1 part soy sauce.
Nina

I can't make salad dressing either.  I don't know why it is hard but for some reason it is all about the right balance.  My mom makes the best dressing and I have been known to ask her to make dressing for me if I am having people over.  Thank goodness for mom's.
Maura Rodgers

Sheri - I have the same problem. I don't know what it is about salad.  I can make almost any type of sauce and while I have made viniagrette's countless times, I just can't seem to dress a salad perfectly.  
Good luck! I believe in you. Let me know how it works out.