Helpful Techniques: Vinaigrettes
I think if I had to pinpoint one of my absolute favorite elements of cooking, it would be how you can often take a few simple ingredients, and with the right technique, transform them into something so totally different from the sum of its parts; It truly is like performing magic. One of the easiest and yet, most impressive examples of this type of culinary alchemy for me is the humble vinaigrette.
In this post, I want to explore not only the technique behind making your own delicious vinaigrettes at home, but also delve into the how to choose the best ingredients to fit practically every magical intention you may need.
What is a Vinaigrette
In its most basic form, a vinaigrette is simply a mix of vinegar or citrus juice and oil that is shaken or whisked together until emulsified; with most recipes however you will find various spices, herbs, and other seasonings are added to bring more flavor and excitement to overall product. You may also see recipes that call for a small amount of mustard as well, which not only adds a sharp bite to the vinaigrette, but helps it emulsify more quickly and stay more stable for longer. Most often, we see vinaigrettes used as dressings for cold and warm salads, however depending on the flavors you use, they can be used for marinades or as a light sauce on dishes.
The Two Easy Steps to Vinaigrette Success
While vinaigrettes are a wonderful vessel for your kitchen creativity, the real key to creating a great one is getting your technique on point first. Thankfully it is super easy to master and once you do, the sky’s the limit to how many varieties of vinaigrette you can make and how you can apply them in your kitchen.
Step one: Getting your ratios right
Using the correct proportions of your chosen acid to oil is probably the most important key to a successful vinaigrette. The golden ratio for this is 1 part acid to 3 parts oil; this ratio allows for the oil and acid to thoroughly blend together and remain bound into a homogenous mix (i.e. emulsified).
Step two: Whisk (or shake) it like you mean it
Even with the right ratios, emulsification has to be helped along and that means incorporating the oil into the acid by agitating it. You can achieve this by drizzling your oil slowly into your acid while whisking vigorously. However, if whisking isn’t your gig or you want to make a bigger batch of your vinaigrette, you can place your ingredients into a large mason jar with a very well fitting lid and shake everything together. No matter the method you decide to try, you are looking for an end result that is creamy and fully blended together.
Choosing the Best Ingredients for Your Needs
Once you have your technique down pat, now comes the fun part: choosing your ingredients! There are lots of different avenues to go down with your vinaigrette depending on the dish you want to use it in and the intentions you are looking to imbue into it, but let’s start by breaking it down into some basic categories. In each category, I will list of some of my favorite ingredients to use, both flavor wise and intentionally.
Oils
Olive Oil: This is a classic oil used in many vinaigrettes due to its rich texture and slightly fruity flavor and it pairs well with almost any acid. Olive oil is a great choice for your dressing if you are looking to perform spellwork with intention towards drawing in monetary wealth, focusing on physical health or well-being, or if looking to boost your own fertile energies.
Avocado Oil: Luxurious and slightly creamy in texture, avocado oil is a great choice when you are looking for a lighter flavored oil that won’t compete with other flavors of your vinaigrette. Like the fruit that this oil comes from, it is associated with love and can be used in spell work pertaining to attraction, fertility, and improving relationships with others and yourself.
Peanut Oil: While most often seen in its refined form to be used in high temperature applications, peanut oil can be found in an unrefined form and gives its familiar nutty flavor to dressings. I particularly like choosing this oil when I am looking for extra energy in prosperity and wealth drawing.
Soy Oil: A true neutral in flavor, soy oil is a good base choice when making a vinaigrette where you want the other flavors to speak more loudly. Soy is associated with feminine and lunar energies and is lovely when used in goddess workings, as well as protective spell work.
Acids
Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, thick, and a touch sweet, balsamic is my absolute favorite vinegar to use in the kitchen, especially in vinaigrettes and marinades. Balsamic is my go to choice to use for sabbat or special occasion meals or when I need an extra reminder to express gratitude in my day, due to its association with abundance.
Rice Vinegar: This is the best choice for any vinaigrettes where you would like to have a more subtle acid profile. This vinegar is made from fermented rice and like the grain itself is associated heavily with prosperity, fertility, and health and would give energy to any workings in these areas. I personally enjoy using this vinegar in dishes during the sabbats such as Beltane, Ostara, and Litha to further celebrate these times of abundance and fertility.
Apple Cider Vinegar: While probably the most intense choice on the list, this sharp, yet fruity vinegar is a great when paired with other sweeter fruit flavors such as berries, sweeteners like honey or maple, and even stands up to other strong flavors such as blue cheese. Being made from apples, this is associated with love, relationships, beauty, and health and is the vinegar I reach for when looking to infuse my dressings and marinades with these energies.
Citrus Juices: When you are looking for a fresh boost of acidic flavor to your vinaigrette, citrus is a lovely ingredient to reach for. Freshly squeezed juices are best for this application, flavor and intention wise and I personally love using lemons, lime, oranges or red grapefruits. Citrus fruits can be used in workings where you are looking for clear mind in a situation, to boost happiness, health, and vitality, or in cleansing and protective spellwork.
Seasonings/ Other Ingredients
Herbs: Adding herbs to your vinaigrettes is a perfect way to customize both their flavor and the intentions you wish to infuse in them. Some of my absolute favorites to add are basil for joy and money drawing, tarragon for peace and gentle attraction, thyme for good luck and clarity, dill for money drawing and job success, rosemary for protection, and oregano for health and strength.
Spices: The two spices that always make their way into my vinaigrettes as essential ingredients are salt and black pepper, however beyond that you can get super creative with how you season your dressings and marinades. Fresh chilis or pepper flakes help to amplify your other ingredients magickally, while cumin and caraway add earthy flavor and energy towards protection and health. Sesame and poppy seeds add a different textural element, a slightly nutty taste, and are the perfect addition for boosting abundance. Fresh ginger packs a zingy punch and I love to utilize its fiery energy during the summer sabbats, as well as during the winter months for a boost to health.
Mustard: Mustard is an ingredient that I include in nearly every vinaigrette I make, however it is optional. I personally enjoy the pungent taste to cut through some of the richer oils, as well as the emulsification insurance it offers. Dijon mustard is my standard choice because of the sharp, almost bitter flavor and creamy texture it offers. Magickally, mustard is associated with protective energies and can be used in workings focused on banishing negativity and the “evil eye”.
Sweeteners: While not always a vital ingredient, you may want to sometimes balance the sharper flavors of the acid in your vinaigrette with a touch of sweetness. My personal go to is honey due to its mellow sweetness, ease of integration in dressings and slightly floral flavor and is associated with physical wellness/health, joy, and wealth. Maple syrup can also be used and offers an interesting, rich and slightly smoky flavor to your dressings and is a great choice when you need a boost to your luck, monetary success, or health.
Allums: I almost always add some sort of freshly minced allum to my vinaigrettes because I adore the addition of their slight crunch and sharp and savory flavor. Shallots and garlic are my personal favorites, however most members of the allum family intentionally hold energy for workings pertaining to preserving physical health, as well as warding off any negative energies.
Other Ingredients: As I said before, vinaigrettes are your blank canvas and you can add many different miscellaneous ingredients to personalize the flavors, usages and intentions to your liking. Some examples are miso paste, chopped nuts, soy sauce, and fruit purees and jams.
Recipe: Everyday Vinaigrette
Everyday Intentional Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (abundance, fertility)
- 3/4 cup avocado oil (love, beauty)
- 1 Tbsp shallot, finely minced (protection)
- 2 tsp garlic, finely minced (banishing negative energy)
- 1 Tbsp fresh chive, minced (protection)
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill (clarity)
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme (good luck)
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard (protection)
- 1 Tbsp honey (joy and sweet, loving energy)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, place your herbs, shallots, garlic, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking vigorously until the mixture is well blended and looks "creamy". Taste for seasoning and adjust to your liking.
- Serve over salads or roasted vegetables and meats as a dressing or use this as a marinade for chicken, fish, pork, or vegetables. Enjoy!
