ROBUST & ZESTY ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING
Who says salad dressings are just for lettuce? Robust and zesty capture well the personality of this classic condiment. Use it in Serbian Potato Salad, as a dip for homemade sourdough bread, drizzled on cooked vegetables, or as a marinade for meats or veggies. It will become your “go-to” ingredient for all sorts of dishes.
Servings: 24 Tablespoons or ~ 12.5 ounces
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: N/A
Skill level: Easy
INGREDIENTS
2 GARLIC CLOVES, minced >or< 2 teaspoons GARLIC POWDER
1 teaspoon ONION POWDER
1 1/2 teaspoons SALT
1/2 teaspoon BLACK PEPPER
4 teaspoons ITALIAN SEASONING BLEND
1/2 teaspoon PAPRIKA
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon CAYENNE PEPPER
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon RED PEPPER FLAKES
1 1/2 cups OLIVE OIL
1/2 cup WHITE WINE VINEGAR
4 teaspoons fresh LEMON JUICE
2 Tablespoons MAPLE SYRUP
1 teaspoon DIJON MUSTARD
4 Tablespoons WATER
DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients together in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
Use in recipes as salad dressing, marinade, or in recipes such as SERBIAN POTATO SALAD.
Refrigerate any unused portions. If the oil in the recipe solidifies, simply take out of the refrigerator prior to use to allow it to come to room temperature. The oil will naturally liquify. Shake well before each use.
NOTES/VARIATIONS
Substitute red wine, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar to change up the flavor. If using in SERBIAN POTATO SALAD, I suggest not using balsamic.
If it’s too spicy, dial back or omit the paprika, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
The sodium level, to taste, is relatively benign. Don’t be afraid to taste test and adjust up, assuming sodium intake is not a concern for you.
Consider saving some of the lemon rind from your fresh squeezed juice and drop it in to marinate in the dressing giving a boost in the citrusy profile.
Make this dressing ahead of time so the flavors have a chance to marry.
As articulated in the What’s for Dinner article, always aim for the highest quality ingredients.
CREDITS/REFERENCES
Thumbnail photo credit: Original, untouched photo can be found here: Cafe Lynnylu- Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad with Ginger Orange Dressing cafelynnylu.blogspot.com 2.jpeg
I created this version of a zesty, robust, full-of-flavor Italian dressing to use primarily in the SERBIAN POTATO SALAD dish I grew up enjoying. It has no fillers, gums, chemicals, or artificial flavorings - only very delicious ingredients that together make your tastebuds say “wow” and make any dish shine.