best-ever vinaigrette

I don’t know about you, but I love a good salad. While bottled dressings are fine, there is nothing quite like a homemade vinaigrette to give your greens an extra bit of flavor. Earlier this summer (or was it back in the spring?) I had lunch at my friend’s house and she made a huge salad drizzled with the most amazing salad dressing ever.

Around the house this has come to be known as “My Friend Michelle’s Salad Dressing” and I make it quite often. To have the authentic Michelle salad, you need to have lots (lots) of avocado in there. I also like to add tomato, fresh mozzarella, and homemade croutons. Chicken is a nice addition if you want to add a little protein. She said she originally got it from Cook’s Illustrated. Whoever created it is, in my opinion, a culinary genius.

My Friend Michelle’s Salad Dressing
(a.k.a. Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette)

1 tsp. creamy Dijon mustard
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. juice from 1 lemon (I usually just squeeze the entire lemon in there)
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Whisk together mustard, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, and oil in medium bowl until well combined. You can also shake everything up together in a jar fitted with a tight lid. Shake or whisk again before dressing your salad if the vinaigrette separates.

At the birthday party last weekend, I used this dressing for a tortellini salad that included turkey pepperoni, onions, and peppers and it was very yummy. I think it would be good on pretty much anything. Even straight from the cruet! OK, maybe that’s taking it a little too far, but yes it really is that good.

Be sure to visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom to check out other delicious recipes!