Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Vinaigrettes

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (64)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(64)

Prep Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
about 1 cup

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: --
Total:: 10 min

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Ingredients

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar, optional*
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
Mesclun salad mix or favorite greens, for accompaniment
Assortment of salad ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, chopped carrots, sliced red onion, chopped celery, diced cucumbers, walnuts
Blue cheese, for garnish

Directions

Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients, top with blue cheese and serve immediately.

If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.

*If using a good quality balsamic vinegar you should not need the sugar, but if using a lesser quality you might want the sugar to round out the dressing.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Susan Hilton Head Island, SC 10-28-2009
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Yummy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Perfect - didn't even need the brown sugar!
recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Nicole Poughkeepsie, NY 10-15-2009
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Good Balance of Oil & Vinegar
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Very often it is difficult to find the perfect balance of oil and vinegar in a salad dressing, but these proportions are... close to perfect (I just added a touch more vinegar). I also added two pinches of dried oregano and basil each for a bit of additional flavor, but otherwise it is a great basic balsamic vinaigrette!Read more
recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Sandy Saint Clairsville, OH 10-14-2009
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Easy recipe!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is very easy to make and taste delicious. I'm very pleased on how the dressing turned out.
recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Catherine Franklin, TN 09-24-2009
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One of the Best Balsamic Vinaigrettes I've Ever Had
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Far more flavorful than most of the vinaigrettes I've tasted, this recipe actually trumps dressings I've had in some very... fine restaurants. The only change I'll make next time is to cut back slightly on the oil. (I suppose I should've followed the advice of previous reviewers.) However, even followed exactly as written, this recipe is still fantastic. Thanks, Emeril!Read more
recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Kristy Parker, CO 09-03-2009
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Wonderful! and on the 1st try!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have never had good luck with Vinaigrettes! They have always turned out a little bland, or just... off. But I tried this... recipe last night and it was wonderful!!!! My husband and I both agreed it was the best vinaigrette either of us had ever had. I think the brown sugar helps a lot. Never tried that ingredient before, but it worked really well. Dressing was not too acidic, the texture I want dressing to be and not bland at all. Thanks Emeril!!! :)Read more
recipe Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Terri Shoreline, WA 07-16-2009
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Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I really liked this dressing but, it was better to chill it well before serving with the salad. Will make again.