Recipe of the week: Basic Vinaigrette

The days are getting short and the nights are getting cooler. We're all unpacking our blankets and airing out our sweaters and watching the skies for rain. It's my favorite weather; it's also lettuces favorite weather! They love the slightly cooler weather. If it's too warm, they'll get bitter or all together bolt (start making flowers and seeds). It's those chilly nights that make that wonderfully tender, crispy, sweet lettuce. Three's a lot to be had right now- you'll notice it filling out your box. Salad is always a great way to tuck away a lot of your CSA veggies.

But, you've got to keep it interesting! Salad dressing is a really great way to do just that! Here is a really great basic vinaigrette that easily manipulated to make an endless array of salad snazzer-uppers.

Basic Vinaigrette:

3 Tbs Oil

2 Tbs Vinegar

1 Tbs Honey

Salt and Pepper

This is your best friend this season. Feel free to adlib with everything! Use balsamic vinegar, walnut oil, maple syrup instead of honey!  Or:

Creamy Garlic:

1 recipe Basic Vinaigrette

2 Tbs plain yogurt

1 garlic clove

Italian Vinaigrette:

1 recipe Basic Vinaigrette

1 clove garlic

½ tsp Italian seasoning

pinch red pepper flake

Bacon Dressing: 

1 recipe Basic Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon crumbled bacon
1/2 tablespoon minced onion
1 pinch celery seed
1/4 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 -3 teaspoon brown sugar (instead of or in addition to honey)

 Making your own dressing is a cheap and fun way to keep your salad interesting. Though, you can go with my method- just put blue cheese on it.