BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND BASIL DRESSING

Ingredients

  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 5-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon or Herbes de Provence
  • mustard
  • 1/2-1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, torn

Preparation

Step 1

Bruise the garlic with the flat blade of a large knife and peel. Mix the oil, mustard and vinegar in a small bowl or screw-top jar, then drop in the garlic. Leave to steep overnight or for several hours . just before serving, remove the garlic and remix the dressing. Season to taste and stir in the torn basil leaves.
Variations:
• Stir in a few tablespoons of grilled, skinned and diced sweet red or yellow pepper. Or use diced sun-dried tomato with a little fresh or dried red chili and some chopped thyme.
Mix in a small, diced shallot and use chopped fennel rather than basil. Steep a few crushed fennel seeds in the dressing, too.