For those on my local holiday gift list, this Creamy Balsamic Dressing Recipe is a yummy gift that promotes healthy holiday eating! It's fabulous as a vegetable dip, yummy on pasta, and even better on salad. The only caveat*: the recipe calls for my homemade Garlicky Mayonnaise as a base. I suppose you could use the store-bought stuff (and if you do, add another clove of garlic), but if you want the really good, oooh and awe-style dressing, use the homemade garlic mayonnaise.
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
1/2 C. homemade Garlicky Mayonnaise* (or store-bought, in a pinch)
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/4 C. packed fresh basil, roughly chopped
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1/2 C. extra-virgin olive oil
Method: In the bowl of a food process or blender*, add all the ingredients but the olive oil. Blend until mixed. With the machine running, very slowly add the olive oil in a stream until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
Makes approximately 1 3/4 C. Can be doubled and tripled for gift giving. Keeps refrigerated for up to 10 days.
*A blender creates a smoother dressing. I use the smaller jar of my VitaMix and blend on the variable speed setting.
*If you're making the Garlicky Mayonnaise for this recipe, there is no need to wash the jar or work bowl of the blender----just carry on with the recipe after removing the mayonnaise.
