I Buy Bottle After Bottle of This “Delicious” Italian Salad Dressing (It Tastes Homemade!)
I come from a strict homemade-or-nothing family regarding salad dressing. Every night, we passed around a big wooden bowl of leafy greens dressed in my mom’s vinaigrette.
The first recipe I learned at 5 or 6 years old was properly layering the oil and vinegar in an empty Grey Poupon jar. Squeeze a garlic clove through the press, add a pinch of salt, and, if you’re feeling fancy, mix in a dollop of mustard. Give it a shake and voila! A simple and versatile dressing to befriend nearly any salad.
I’ve been following my mom’s lead for years, but as a longtime fan of Gotham Greens‘ delicate butter lettuce and snappy spring mix, I decided to try its bottled dressing. While the creamy Italian Herb Vinaigrette isn’t a one-for-one replacement for my mom’s 40-year-old, vinegar-forward dressing recipe, it had me completely rethinking the virtues of store-bought salad dressing.
What’s So Great About Gotham Greens’ Italian Herb Vinaigrette?
I love this vibrant green dressing because it’s the antithesis of the syrupy, gloppy bottled dressings that lack a punchy-yet-balanced bite (I’ll admit I’m a dressing snob). This dressing tastes like the fresh herbs it’s packed with (basil, parsley, rosemary, and sage). It’s bright and acidic, thanks to vinegar and lemon juice, but the punch is tempered by rich and salty Pecorino Romano cheese and EVOO.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Gotham Greens’ Italian Herb Vinaigrette?
The mild garlic kick in this dressing reminds me of my mom’s all-purpose vinaigrette, but the thicker, creamier texture makes it better suited to hearty salads with a sturdy base. I like to toss it with a rainbow of chicories (radicchio, endive, and frisée). I’ll make it a meal with cubed Italian charcuterie and hard cheese plus a smattering of briny artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, and olives.
The dressing is also a smart shortcut to a creamy and herby pasta or potato salad. Add fresh mozzarella and chopped seasonal veggies for a colorful side dish or simple lunch.
I’ve even been getting a daily dose of herbiness at breakfast by spreading a glug of the dressing on a slab of toasted sourdough and adding a glistening runny fried egg.
Buy: Gotham Greens Italian Herb Vinaigrette, $7.50 for 10 ounces at Amazon
What’s your favorite store-bought salad dressing? Tell us about it in the comments below.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: I Buy Bottle After Bottle of This “Delicious” Italian Salad Dressing (It Tastes Homemade!)