Italian Dressing
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Total Time
5 mins
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Servings
1 1/4 cups
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Course
Salad
Italian Dressing
Description
The dressing is prepared by simply shaking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Parmesan cheese, sugar, garlic powder or fresh garlic, dried basil, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. The choice of freshly grated Parmesan provides a smoother texture. Sugar balances the acidity of the vinegar and brightness of the olive oil.
This dressing pours smoothly over salads, enhancing greens without overwhelming them. The mixture's slight heat from the red pepper flakes and herbal undertones elevates flavor complexity. It keeps well refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Adjust sugar, salt, and pepper to taste for desired tanginess and seasoning. Variations can use white wine vinegar without flavor impact. The recipe provides both single-batch and larger batch quantities suitable for different meal uses.
Ingredients
Single Batch (1/4 cup, salad for 4 servings)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar Note 1, or white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp Parmesan Cheese Note 2, freshly grated
- 1 tsp sugar (any)
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder or 1 small garlic clove minced, if using within 3 days
- 1/8 tsp dried basil oregano and parsley (or a mix of choice
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (Note 3)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- black pepper freshly ground
Big Batch to Keep (1 1/4 cups)
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar Note 1, or white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese Note 2, freshly grated
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar (any)
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves minced, if using within 3 days
- 1/2 tsp dried basil oregano and parsley (or a mix of choice
- 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes (Note 3)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a jar and shake well until combined.
- Adjust sugar, salt and pepper to taste. For less tang, add more olive oil, for more tang, add more vinegar.
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- For the Single Batch, this makes just over 1/4 cup and is enough to dress 3 handfuls of leafy greens.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan dissolves better to create a smoother dressing texture compared to pre-grated types.
- You can substitute white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar without changing the flavor significantly.
- Adjust sugar, salt, and pepper to balance the dressing’s tang and seasoning to your preference.
- This dressing works well on simple leafy salads or more substantial vegetable dishes, providing a versatile flavor.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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