Ingredients

　　1 medium shallot, finely minced

　　2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar

　　1 tablespoon fig preserves, or 1 tablespoon honey

　　2 teaspoons chopped capers

　　1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

　　1/2 cup olive oil

　　Salt and pepper

　　Whisk together the shallot, vinegar, preserves, capers, and mustard in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Taste for balance, and add a little more olive oil, if you like. Season with salt and pepper.

　　From Crescent City Cooking by Susan Spicer Copyright (c) 2007 by Susan Spicer Published by Knopf.Susan Spicer was born in Key West, Florida, and lived in Holland until the age of seven, when her family moved to New Orleans. She has lived there ever since, and is the owner of two restaurants, Bayona and Herbsaint. This is her first cookbook.Paula Disbrowe was the former Cowgirl Chef at Hart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas. Prior to that, she spent ten years working as a food and travel writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Food & Wine, and Saveur, among other major publications.