Total Time

　　5 minutes

　　From here grow all other vinaigrettes. Use your instincts to vary the basic recipe. My everyday dressing almost always includes a bit of mustard which helps emulsify the dressing while adding tang.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 3/4 cup

　　1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

　　3 tablespoons good wine vinegar, or more to taste

　　Salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1 large shallot (about 1 ounce), cut into chunks (optional)

　　

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients except the shallot in a blender and turn the machine on; a creamy emulsion will form within 30 seconds. Taste and add more vinegar a teaspoon or two at a time until the balance tastes right to you.

　　

Step 2

Add the shallot and turn the machine on and off a few times until the shallot is minced within the dressing. Taste, adjust the seasoning , and serve. (This is best made fresh but will keep, refrigerated, for a few days; bring it back to room temperature and whisk briefly before using.)

　　Text excerpted from How To Cook Everything Vegetarian © 2007 by Mark Bittman. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.Buy the full book from Amazon.