SALADS: This vinaigrette recipe has been the family's favourite dressing for salads for many many years. It never fails to please.

BASIC DRESSING:  FRENCH VINAIGRETTE:

3 parts oil                                                        

1 part vinegar, preferably good balsamic vinegar

½ tsp. each salt & freshly pepper

½ to 1 tsp. sugar                                              

½ to 1 tsp dry or fresh mustard

chopped herbs                                                

1 clove garlic

Crush garlic.  Whisk mustard with a bit of oil into a thin paste. Add salt, pepper, sugar and the herbs. Add rest of oil and whisk together. Vinegar is added last and the whole mixture is whisk well together.

Some people prefer olive oil, but other oils may be used, or a combination of 2 oils.

There is a wide variety of vinegar to choose from---cider, red wine, white wine, tarragon and other flavoured vinegars, as well as balsamic vinegar. Lemon juice may be used with some salads, particularly seafood salads.