Mixing It Up: Vinaigrettes and Dressings

In the simplest terms, a vinaigrette is a combination of oil and vinegar which is typically used on salads and other cold dishes. The ratio for a basic vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. The vinaigrette can be flavored with any type of ingredients from herbs to juices to nuts. The word dressing is often used interchangeably with vinaigrette and while it serves basically the same function, a dressing is often more thick and creamy than a vinaigrette.