Homemade Staples: Balsamic Vinaigrette

Homemade dressings add so much to even the simplest of salads.  And of the dressings out there, vinaigrettes are the easiest to make — just by using ingredients commonly found in the pantry.

Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2-3 Tbs of Dijon mustard
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup olive oil

Combine balsamic vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.  Whisk together until thoroughly combined.  Add olive oil and whisk very fast.  Continue to whisk vinaigrette until the dressing thickens to a creamy consistency.

*** Please note that is very important to combine all the ingredients without the oil first.  The mustard and vinegar have to be mixed together properly so that the oil has something to stick to.  Otherwise the dressing won’t emulsify and you’ll end up with a big mess.