Skip to main content

Fresh Italian Dressing

The trick to achieving a good emulsification—suspending the oil in water-based ingredients such as vinegar—is to add the oil toward the end and whisk it in a little bit at a time.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 1/3 cups

Ingredients

2 small garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons dried mustard
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh marjoram
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Preparation

  1. Whisk the garlic, sugar, mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the red pepper flakes, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Whisk together the oils; add to the vinegar mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in the herbs; season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
A punchy, spicy peanut vinaigrette transforms a simply grilled steak into a showstopping main.
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.