When it comes to salad dressings, few can rival the freshness and vibrancy of a homemade lemon vinaigrette. This simple yet delicious dressing can elevate any dish, whether you’re drizzling it over a crisp salad, using it as a marinade, or brightening up roasted vegetables.
Why Lemon Vinaigrette?
Lemon vinaigrette is loved for its bright, zesty flavor and versatility. Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding this dressing to your culinary repertoire:
1. **Fresh and Flavorful**
The natural acidity of lemon juice infuses dishes with a refreshing taste, cutting through rich foods and complementing lighter meals. This makes it an ideal choice for summer salads, grilled vegetables, and seafood.
2. **Health Benefits**
Lemons are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, providing a health boost to your meals. Combined with olive oil, which is rich in healthy fats, lemon vinaigrette becomes a nutritious addition to your diet.
3. **Easy to Make**
Creating your vinaigrette at home takes almost no time at all. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy a fresh dressing that beats store-bought versions in taste and quality.
4. **Customizable**
The basic lemon vinaigrette can be easily customized with herbs, spices, or additional ingredients like honey, garlic, or mustard. This adaptability allows you to tailor the dressing to suit your taste preferences
Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 Lemon Zested and juiced You need 1/4 lemon juice so this could take 2 lemons
- 1 Tbsp Honey or maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp White wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Shallot chopped
- 1 Clove garlic chopped
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp Fresh cracked pepper I like my mixed pepper blend
- 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- You can add all of the ingredients to a jar and shake but I prefure the emertion blender.
- In a tall container, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, shallot, black pepper, and chopped garlic and oil.
- Insert your immersion blender into the container and blend until the mixture emulsifies and becomes creamy—this should only take about 30 seconds.
- Taste your vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more honey for sweetness or a splash more vinegar for extra tang.
**Salads**: Drizzle over mixed greens, grain salads, or pasta salads for a refreshing touch.
– **Marinade**: Use it to marinate chicken, fish, or tofu for a citrusy flavor boost.
– **Vegetables**: Toss it with roasted or grilled vegetables to bring out their natural sweetness.
– **Dipping Sauce**: Serve it as a dip for bread or fresh veggies.