When making vinaigrette, always use quality olive oil and vinegar. Vary the vinegar here, if you like. Red wine vinegar has more intensity than white wine vinegar and is good matched with more assertive herbs, such as oregano. Sherry vinegar, derived from the fortified wine, is a little stronger in character than red or white wine vinegar. Sherry vinegar has a golden hue and burnished flavor that complements roasted peppers, especially. Champagne vinegar is finer, still, with a lighter body and color. And then there is balsamic vinegar. Made from the juice of the Trebbiano grape, it has a distinctive sweet flavor and caramel color that come from aging in oak barrels. There are balsamic vinegars as rare as fine wines, with commensurate prices as well. A collection of vinegars allows for an interesting repertoire of vinaigrettes. We recommend having red and white wine vinegars, as well as balsamic, on hand as a matter of course.
Course Dressing
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword olive oil, red wine vinegar, salad dressing, vinaigrette
Prep Time 2 minutesmins
Cook Time 3 minutesmins
Total Time 5 minutesmins
Servings 1cup
Ingredients
1small garlic clove
¾cupextra-virgin olive oil
¼cupred wine vinegar
½teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Peel, trim, and mince the garlic very fine.
In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together well. Let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before using. Keeps, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 week.