The perfect simple classic French salad dressing

Make your salads sing with this super easy French dressing. It’ll add that certain je ne sais quoi to any old bowl full of greenery.

Many people think of French food as seriously stylish, too complex and fancy for everyday life. I beg to differ. Real French food, is simplicity personified, it is seasonal and satisfying, very much in the moment.

The sensuality of a crisp green salad sprinkled with a homemade vinaigrette dressing. The crunch of a fresh baguette and the soft creaminess of an aromatic cheese and maybe just one square of the richest darkest chocolate make for fine dining on a homely yet satisfying scale. Quality over quantity, flavour over feasting.

If you take real pleasure in the preparation and presentation of even the simplest of food you are sending yourself a message that you yourself are worth this effort. You are not an after-thought in your hectic life, you are the star of your own show, and that is how it should be.

I like the French attitude to food. The mindfulness of the small courses and lack of haste. The way eating is always treated as an event and not something akin to filling your petrol tank at the garage.

Our attitude to eating is a reflection of our feelings of self worth or lack thereof.

Keep it simple, keep it seasonal and enjoy the moment.

Here is a super easy French Dressing, totally classic, nothing fancy, just right.

Ingredients for French dressing

• Good quality olive oil is your base, you want to have 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar for your classic French dressing
• Vinegar – I’ve used white wine vinegar here, you can use cider vinegar or red wine vinegar but remember that both have stronger flavour than white wine vinegar. Whatever you do, don’t use malt vinegar it’s way too strong!
• Dijon mustard. All French dressings need a bit of a kick and of course French Dijon mustard is the way forward.
• Honey for sweetness – use a runny honey as it is far easier to deal with.
• Seasoning – basically salt and pepper to taste. Use freshly ground seasoning for best recilts.

How to make a classic French dressing

I always use a small jam jar to make my salad dressings. They are perfect as all you need to do is put your ingredients into the jar. Pop on the lid and give t a jolly good shake.

Pur your french dressing directly from the jar on to your salad leaves and if there is any leftover dressing in the jar just pop on the lid and chuck it in the fridge for another salad.

How long does this keep?

This will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just give the jar a good shake and you are ready to dress another salad with French style.

PS this is a great pantry staple, take a look at my 50 Easy Homemade Pantry Staples where you’ll find so many brilliant ideas for stocking your larder with tasty goodies you’ve made yourself.

Looking for more easy sauces and dressings to try at home? Then check these out before you go;

The easiest foolproof homemade mayonnaise

Classic Provencal French pistou sauce

Easy homemade real tartare sauce(+Video!)

Homemade Scottish highlander mustard with whisky

And I have a whole section of gorgeous pesto recipes here too

Plus different homemade infused oils and vinegar recipes too.

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and sign up for my newsletter too of course.