Auntie Ann's Lip Smackin' Homemade French Dressing -Longmeadow

Andi of Longmeadow Farm's Note:

Auntie Ann spent many years working as the Research Editor of the National Geographic in Washington D.C. She also had a beautiful house facing the water in St. Michaels, Maryland. Quite often she had gatherings of all sorts. From the Washington set, dressed up dignitaries and special guests would arrive for a nice Friday evening cocktail party that included a nice dinner afterward. During her weekends in St. Michaels, she could relax sitting comfortably on a wicker chair facing the Harris Creek watching the swans swim to and fro in the water. Even though Auntie Ann had a busy productive life as an editor and another busy life on the shore, her cooking skills were perfection. Often during a cocktail party she would mix up (the day prior) a good amount of this dressing and ever so lightly, and daintaly spoon this over some fresh salad greens and toss. When she was getting ready to have the Labor Day crowd in for some good old "Maryland Blue Crabs" at her home on the shore, she would use this dressing in a simple pasta salad, that could be kept outside longer as it didn't have any mayonnaise or dairy in it to spoil. I use this now for "Saturday Lunch on the Farm" salad, which has become a huge bowl of all kinds of lettuces, fresh cut up vegetables and olives. Hey you can't go wrong with Auntie Ann can you? After all; life is good when partaking of a salad, isn't it? Can be easily halved.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 3 tablespoons white vinegar (although any in the cupboard works here)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste- I tend towards more rather then less for this recipe)
• 1⁄8; teaspoon ground pepper (to taste)
• 3 garlic cloves , finely minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon parsley (fresh or dried)
• ¼ teaspoon basil (fresh or dried)
• ¼ teaspoon rosemary (dried)
• ½ teaspoon sugar (or Splenda, or honey if desired)
• ¼ teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
• ¼ cup olive oil (make sure olive oil is the dominate taste)

Directions:

1. Using a Mason jar, cruet, bowl, or blender put vinegar and all dried ingredients (and optional ingredients if using) in container.
2. Mix throughly together. (I use a blender).
3. Slowly mix oil(s) in with vinegar, herb mixture.
4. This is where I use the blender as it makes the dressing a bit thicker.
5. Sometimes though, if I am in a big hurry, I just use a Mason jar, and mix the oils in a little at a time and then shake vigorously.
6. Serve as your "everyday" dressing.
7. I leave this out on my counter for about two days, (gets even more intense) or you can put it right into the fridge. Ours just doesn't last that long.

Reviews

[Triple BQ]

This was ok. I tend to use less salt so that might be the problem. Also mine seemed to need more herbs and less garlic.

[LifeIsGood]

Mmmmm. I loved the garlicky, herby flavor and the thick consistency of this dressing. Using the blender is a good trick for thickening! I'm one lucky girl to have your Aunt Ann's recipe. Thank you for passing it along, Andi. I really loved the story, too!! It makes this recipe all the more special. This dressing will go into my regular rotation for homemade salad dressings. Thank you, Andi! :)

[Cookgirl]

This was perfect and very easy to throw together. Served over mixed greens including arugula, with celery, carrot, corn and black olives. I added the optional dry mustard. Thank you! Reviewed for Veg Tag February.