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

"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 daintily 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."
 
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photo by Boomette photo by Boomette
photo by Boomette
photo by Lalaloula photo by Lalaloula
photo by Starrynews photo by Starrynews
photo by LifeIsGood photo by LifeIsGood
photo by Rita1652 photo by Rita1652
Ready In:
15mins
Ingredients:
11
Serves:
12
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ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar (although any in the cupboard works here)
  • 14 teaspoon salt (to taste, I tend towards more rather than less for this recipe)
  • 18 teaspoon ground pepper (to taste)
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 14 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 14 teaspoon parsley (fresh or dried)
  • 14 teaspoon basil (fresh or dried)
  • 14 teaspoon rosemary (dried)
  • 14 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
  • 12 teaspoon sugar (or Splenda, or honey optional)
  • 14 cup olive oil (make sure olive oil is the dominate taste)
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directions

  • Using a Mason jar, cruet, bowl, or blender put vinegar, salt, ground pepper, cloves, oregano,parsley, basil, rosemary, ground mustard and sugar or honey if using, in container.
  • Mix thoroughly together. (I use a blender).
  • Slowly mix oil in with the vinegar, herb mixture. This is where I use the blender as it makes the dressing a bit thicker.
  • Sometimes though, if I am in a big hurry, I just use a Mason jar, and mix the oil in a little at a time and then shake vigorously.
  • Serve as your "everyday" dressing.
  • I leave this out on my counter for about two days (gets even more intense), or you can put it right into the refrigerator. Ours just doesn't last that long.

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Reviews

  1. 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.
     
  2. 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! :)
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Excellent salad dressing! Followed recipe exactly... next time, will try with cider vinegar! Thanks for posting this recipe, Andi... I'm trying different dressings and this one will definitely go in the salad dressing rotation!
     
  5. Yummy I used recipe #208298 for the oil. Used whole grain mustard. And poured it onto Recipe #232266 for yummy gralicy goodness. Thanks!
     
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I have been a member of food.com (Recipezaar) since January 2007. . I love to photograph food and have reviewed almost 1500 recipes. I used to be a forum host here for many years, but now - all that has gone away. Memories are all that exist. I hope you enjoy any one of my recipes and make it your own. Thanks for visiting my page.
 
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