Need good balsamic dressing recommendation

[helou]

The Purim seudah is really starting to weigh heavily on my mind. Any suggestions for a balsamic salad dressing? I'd love to just buy one that's readily available in stores, but I'm open to a recipe I can make myself in the Good Seasons cruet if I can make it in advance.

[merkat]

Using Good Seasons cruet.... fill to "V" line with a good quality balsamic vinegar. Next add soy sauce or tamari to the "W" line. Top off with a general purpose extra virgin olive oil to the "O" line. Add the following spices to taste: fresh or dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and fresh ground black pepper. Shake vigorously (with your hand firmly over the plastic top). Keeps well in the cupboard, although it might separate -- just re-shake immediately before pouring.

This dressing tastes especially good in combination with plain white goat cheese crumbled over your favorite leaf salad. I have also used it as a marinade for grilled portobellos, and over sliced grilled chicken breast.

EDIT: Not sure soy sauce is kosher. Maybe use a substitute?

[helou]

Thank you for the detailed instructions! This seems like something I can do with ingredients I have available in my kitchen all the time.

Kosher certified soy sauce is widely available and used. This will be easy.

[merkat]

Glad I could help :-) This is one of my all-time favorite dressings. Do taste before adding salt, you might not need it.

[helou]

I was about to write back. It seems like the soy sauce will be salty enough without adding additional salt. Thanks again.

[cheesecake17]

I'm going to try this! However, I don't have a good seasons cruet. Any ideas on the measurements?

Helou,
I made a vegan creamy fig balsamic vinaigrette recently. Even my balsamic-hating husband liked it!

[helou]

Here's what I've done for you, because it was an opportunity to waste some time instead of the costume sewing, shopping and cooking I have to do. I measure out the cruet amounts. These are as close as I could get.
Vinegar: 50 cc - slightly less than1/4 cup.
Water: 35 cc - 2 Tbs. + 1 tsp.
Oil: 165 cc - about 2/3 cup

I'd like to add that I never use that much oil, and I fool around with the water:vinegar ratio depending on the dressing I'm making. I haven't used the actual Good Seasons mix in years. I just find the cruet convenient for mixing.

Now, in return, would you give me the creamy fig balsamic vinagrette dressing?

[cheesecake17]

Thank you!

I had two cruets- one broke, the other had its plastic top take a spin in the dishwasher...

The recipe for the fig dressing is from "I Am Grateful" p 45
10 dried black mission figs (soaked)
1/3 c balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp finely minced jalepeno
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp blk pepper
1 tsp lemon juice

Soak figs: combine figs and 1 c warm water in a measuring cup. Let sit for 2 hours, reserve water.

Make dressing: combine all ingredients in blender and blend until thick and creamy, adding in reserved fig liquid.

Notes- I added in several more figs and used less oil

[KailuaGirl]

If you're going to go the storebought route, I recommend Consorzio's Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar Dressing. It's delicious! Unfortunately I've moved and am having a difficult time finding it on this island.

[helou]

Thanks. It's so nice of you to suggest it However, I've done a quick internet search, and it doesn't seem like this salad dressing has Kosher certification. I think you may not have realized that this is a board for kosher food, which has all sorts of restrictions.
I'm guessing from your name that you live in Hawaii. I envy you from my desk here in cold wet New Jersey.

[Zehava]

I have a great balsamic dressing recipe, I use it all of the time.

Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, about 5 frozen garlic cubes and 4 frozen basil cubes. It has no sugar and is great on any type of salad.

[helou]

Certainly sounds good, but what I'm trying to avoid for this Purim, is adding more ingredients to my already too long shopping list. I don't have/use the frozen cubes. Maybe after Pesach I'll try it.

[Zehava]

If you frequent Trader Joe, they sell them there for 1.99/package about half the price of any Kosher store for the exact same brand. I also keep a bunch in my freezer.

[DeisCane]

Do not buy balsamic vinaigrette.

It is so easy to make your own.

EVOO
Balsamic vinegar
Dijon mustard
Sugar
Salt
Pepper

[helou]

OK. How much mustard, sugar?

[DeisCane]

How much dressing are you making?

For dijon, I usually use 1 tsp for a smaller salad (2-3 people) and 1 TBSP for a bigger one (5-6 people). Sugar is 1-2 TBSP for the smaller one and 3-4 TBSP for the bigger.

It's all to taste though.

[helou]

This certainly seems do-able. Thank you.