Simple and Versatile Italian Salad Dressing

1. Combine the vinegar, olive oil, salt, sugar, pepper, herb blend, mustard, and cloves in a glass jar with a screw-on lid or another container with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Tighten the lid and shake vigorously for 1 minute before serving.
3. Refrigerate overnight for best results. Shake before serving. The dressing can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator.

Variations

This recipe is itself a specific kind of vinaigrette, which is simply a mix of olive oil, any vinegar but balsamic, and salt and pepper.

You can change up just a few flavors or ingredients to get a completely different vibe.

• Add crushed red pepper flakes to this Italian dressing recipe to turn up the heat.
• Bacon and onion powder make for a heavier taste. Add honey to this Italian dressing recipe to turn it into a mustard dressing.
• Make creamy vinaigrette by mixing the oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper with mayonnaise or sour cream.
• Add grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper to creamy vinaigrette for an original and tasty spin.
• If you like balsamic vinegar, make an Italian dressing with a twist on traditional by substituting balsamic for red wine vinegar and mixing that with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, and pepper.

Uses for Italian Dressing

Dressings carry flavor through every bite and infuse whatever dish you use it on. Green salads are without a doubt the most common use for all dressings, including Italian, but don't stop there. These blends of oil, vinegar and seasonings make taste spectaculars of otherwise boring and/or bland dishes.

Italian dressing makes a terrific marinade for grilled chicken and steaks and can turn a cheap steak cut into something that's actually worth eating. Mix it into ground beef for a boost in flavor and a change-of-pace burger. It can also turn potato or pasta salad into a star when it's mixed with more mustard, olives, and red onions.