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This Lemon Herb Vinaigrette is my go-to salad dressing. You will always find a jar in my fridge as it goes with a zillion different salads.
I feel like a rat, not sharing this Lemon Herb Vinaigrette recipe with you till now. Well, in my defense (not wanting to feel like a complete rodent) I actually did share it, back in the early days of The Café. You'll see a fairly similar looking dressing on this post (as you can see, we didn't know much about food photography back then). But I've tweaked it and tested it since then and it's even better now. In fact, it's such a huge favorite here at The Café that as soon as the jar runs low, I whip up another batch. It's almost too good for words.
The best place, by far, if you could somehow muster up enough of your mousey strength to pry open the door, is the refrigerator. That’s where you’ll find the really good stuff. There’s usually a variety of delicious cheeses, lots of great fruits and veggies, leftover grilled chicken and/or steak, salami, hummus, olives, jams, jellies, whipping cream, juices, and on and on it goes…
Oh, and if you’re one of those mice who happen to have discriminating culinary taste, you’d probably zero in on a jar of golden-hued, herb-flecked, lemony salad dressing that’s almost always on the upper shelf of my fridge. I call it my Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and, over the years, it’s become a staple here at The Café.
It’s so versatile; there are a zillion ways to use the stuff. It’s fabulous drizzled on a Greek or Niçoise salad, and it makes a wonderful dressing for potato or pasta salad. Lemon Herb Vinaigrette goes well with tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, arugula, spinach, peppers, onions, field greens, Feta, Parmesan, goat cheese, and all combinations of the above. You’d probably also love to nibble on the salad I made for dinner last night. As usual, I just used the ingredients I happened to have on hand, depending on the season and time of year.
This time it was arugula, Parmesan, a variety of lovely-hued tomatoes, avocados, baby red potatoes, a scattering of fresh herbs, and a handful of toasted pine nuts. With a drizzle of the delicious, lemony dressing, it made a fabulous dinner. One last thing; if you’re anything like me, you probably like to take a great recipe home with you after visiting friends. I’m leaving a copy of the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette below. I have a feeling that you, along with everyone else in your furry little family, will enjoy it as much as we do. Bon Appetit!
This Lemon Herb Vinaigrette is my go-to salad dressing. You will always find a jar in my fridge as it goes with a zillion different salads.
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
- 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried mint optional*
- 2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh herbs** optional*
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes optional*
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
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Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well.
-
Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using to meld the ingredients.
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Store in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator.
Sandra says
Love this Chris and I don't think there's ever been a bad picture on your blog!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Cute little mousey. 😉 And wonderful dressing. I love this! Thanks so much.
esther says
An honest to goodness dressing that's a must for every household 🙂 I'm gonna dash out to get some lemons and make this for dinner tonight. Love lemon based dressings 🙂
Pondside says
Could this dressing recipe be to salad dressing what your Beef Bourguignon Soup recipe has been to soup all winter long? I can't wait to try it!
Kate says
Sounds like a perfect dressing to have ready to go in the frig! I will be whipping up a batch. Thank you for sharing.
Vicki Bensinger says
Chris this salad dressing looks superb! It's one I would never get tired of. Love the looks of your salad as well and of course your photos as always are stunning! Thanks for sharing this.
Mary says
Lovely dressing - and such a lovely composition in the photograph -
Mary
easyfoodsmith says
Such a beautiful dressing! Thanks for sharing. I am so much in love with that first shot 😀
Pam says
I am so glad you shared this recipe. I am always on the lookout for new vinaigrettes.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This is beautiful Chris - thanks for re-posting. I have a salad to post later this week that would be perfect for this dressing. And the photos are AMAZING! They are truly inspiring. I feel like reposting some of my old recipes because I'm so embarrassed with the pictures. I feel blessed to be able to practice photography a couple of times a week. I love that part and love your photos!
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
Homemade vinaigrettes are the best and I always, always make my own. Love the jar with the spoon, it looks so inviting.
Sam
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
This is also my all time favourite salad dressing!
gloria says
look beautiful and really delicious Chris thanks:)
Liz says
Oh, yeah, this could easily become a staple at my house! I cannot wait till the garden is full of fresh herbs again...as this could grace absolutely every salad I make! My mouse's name is Bill 😉
spoon-stories says
Nothing is better than a great salad with a homeade dressing!!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
A versatile dressing for all seasons...I like it! Tweaked recipes make the old new indeed. I can imagine how tasty any salad dressed with this is ...
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
Very pretty:@)
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Gorgeous! The perfect vinaigrette for spring and summer salads...or any time of year. Love the photography and I'm suddenly hungry for salad for dinner. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Pinning!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
It looks so pretty too. No serving this in ceramic, it needs to be on show in glass! Another recipe for my lemon collection!
cheri says
This looks like a good one Chris! no question homemade is so much better tasting and you can pronounce all the ingredients. Pinned!
Monique says
Spring ..summer and fall..salads:)
Saving..
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
Looks fabulous Chris and I love something different from the average vinigrette!
Ginny Hartzler says
This looks wonderful.I cannot wait till I can buy some good lettuce. The lettuce here has been slimy and brown all winter, but now I will be able to make fresh salads, and this will be wonderful. I am off to print it!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Loe this fresh dressing for spring!
Catherine says
Homemade salad dressings is so much better, healthier and of course less expensive than store bought! I don't really know why everyone is not making their own dressing.
I do love lemon flavor and this looks wonderful. Blessings, Catherine