After a long winter, the appearance of an array of fresh and varied produce in farmers’ markets and stores may awaken your desire to create a crisp, fresh salad. The invigorating and fresh flavor of fresh spring greens and heirloom tomatoes deserve to be dressed with a delicious salad dressing to liven your taste buds.

Salad vegetables can seem rather bland and boring if not dressed with a vinaigrette or sauce to enhance their flavor. You can easily remedy this by creating a dressing that will complement each flavor and bring out the freshness and uniqueness of the produce you are using.

If made incorrectly, salad dressing can actually destroy the wonderful flavor of the fantastic fresh vegetables you are using, and, if the proportions of oil and vinegar are incorrect you may find that the whole dish is rather spoiled! It is not necessary to be a culinary expert to follow the few simple guidelines below to help you avoid the prospect of a disastrous salad.

To create the perfect salad dressing at home an emulsifier is needed, that is to say to create an emulsion. An emulsion is something that assists ingredients such as oil and vinegar to combine.

A good emulsifier can be found in the form of mustard. There are many different varieties of mustard, Pommery and American golden brown such as Gulden’s to name just two. French Dijon mustard is another variety that may be used but is sometimes eschewed because its flavor is too sharp. Other emulsifiers can be found in raw egg yolk, though the risk of salmonella may be a deterrent to some. If none of these appeal and fast and simple emulsion can be created by blending together oil, vinegar, herbs, olives or even soft cheeses, goat or feta cheese work very well. You may also consider including some citrus or soft fruit.

Oil and vinegar dressings are a healthy way to dress fresh green garden salads. A balsamic vinaigrette can always be used as a marinade as well.

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Oil and Vinegar offers a healthy alternative to salad dressings and toppings. With spring in mind, create delicious salad dressings to complement abundant fresh local produce.

With the advent of the season of spring, stores and markets will be displaying a vast array of fresh produce. This is a time to make best use of these seasonal fruits and vegetables and to address dietary needs. Fresh delicious salads and grilled fish, meat and poultry can be substituted for the type of cuisine normally enjoyed when the weather is cold. If your quest is to start and maintain a healthy diet there is no better way than to prepare salad dressings at home. By creating and preparing your own recipes as opposed to shop bought varieties you can ensure that there are no harmful ingredients invading your food and your fat and sodium intake can be easily controlled.

Creating a dressing from your own recipe has many benefits and allows you to enjoy the flavors that you enjoy most and is a healthy way to use the ingredients that you prefer. Making a dressing for salad is simple and to start you on your way to creating your favorites try mastering a classic vinaigrette.

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