This basic vinaigrette serves as an ideal multipurpose dressing.
Regardless of whether they're stored in a recipe tin, glued in a book, or securely kept in one’s memories, family recipes play an integral role in making cooking such a cherished activity. Think of holiday hams, festive cocktails, elegant layer cakes , and traditional barbecue dishes populate the pages of Southern family recipe collections, but one of my favorite recipes is a straightforward vinaigrette passed down from my grandmother.
Why I Adore "Grandmamma's Stuffing"
The simplicity of this recipe makes me never feel compelled to try making another homemade salad dressing. It lacks an official name; instead, we’ve simply referred to it as “Grandmama Dressing.” The origin remains unclear—it could be something she created or discovered elsewhere—but frankly, that’s not important. In my view, calling it “Grandmama Dressing” beats out names like “Simple Vinaigrette” or “Swift Salad Sauce.”
Related: The Perfect Honey Vinaigrette: The Sole Condiment Required for Summertime Salads
Homemade Salads Dressings Are Really Easy To Make
Homemade salad dressing is one of those little touches that can really impress dinner party guests. Of course, serving store-bought dressing wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, but presenting something made from scratch makes them think, “She put effort into this; how considerate.” Similar to making custom place cards or selecting your buddy’s favorite regional brew, a home-cooked vinaigrette adds a gentle yet unexpectedly significant touch. It also opens up conversations. Whenever I serve my grandmother's dressing, people always request the recipe.
It Only Takes 4-Ingredients
Grandmama's Homemade Vinaigrette requires just four components, all of which I typically keep stocked in my pantry.
- Oil (I typically go with whatever oil I have available; often it’s canola or vegetable because of their subtle flavor, though using extra virgin olive oil works well too)
- Tabasco (or your hot sauce of choice )
- Red wine vinegar
- Sugar
That's it.
If I have these four ingredients in my pantry as a young home cook in my twenties, chances are that most other people will likely have them too.
A Flexible Recipe That Complements Various Dishes
Despite having minimal components, this vinaigrette delivers a substantial taste experience. Its sweetness comes from sugar, acidity from vinegar, and spiciness from hot sauce; complemented by the neutrality of the oil, this do-it-yourself vinaigrette serves as an ideal versatile salad dressing.
Our preferred way to enjoy this dish is atop a bed of mixed green salad, complemented with strawberries, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta or goat cheese.
I've presented it attractively main-dish salads This could feature either grilled chicken or steak atop an enhanced bag-of-salad from the supermarket (as I mentioned, I am still a beginner). No matter which seasonal toppings you choose for your salad, this dressing will complement them well.
How Does This Dressing Become Simpler?
The measurements. Just keep in mind 1/4, 1/4, twice, twice.
- ¼ cup of oil
- ¼ tsp hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
It’s hard to overlook, and even individuals such as myself, who often use their iPhones to figure out gratuities, could easily multiply it several times over for groups. The mixture can be combined using just a regular bowl or mixed vigorously in a Tupperware container. I’ve also utilized a protein shake bottle when bringing it along to potlucks; this works wonderfully for spill-free transport, mixing, and serving right from the same container.
Grandmama Dressing may lack sophistication, yet it holds an indispensable place in my collection of recipes.
Read the initial article on Southern Living