Dress to thrill

I sometimes feel when I eat out in Portugal that I should carry a pochette of my own home made salad dressing in my man bag. The reason for this is the serious lack of dressings on offer in restaurants. A good quality olive oil and vinegar would be the norm.If you´re lucky.
Getting your greens can seem like a pious mealtime obligation. But drizzling a delicious homemade dressing over salad makes it something to savour.All it takes is as little as four ingredients and a jam jar.

Even a fairly basic green salad can be elevated to a higher level and take on a new dimension when anointed with a sweet dressing. Just by adding a little mustard and honey to a standard olive oil and lemon dressing can make it hit the spot. Perhaps a dash of fish sauce or soya or even a little Wasabi can tickle the erogenous zone of your salad.Bring out the detective in yourself and track down that elusive ingredient that will dress your summer salads to thrill.


O cozinheiro´s Classic Vinaigrette

Clove of garlic
1 dessertspoon Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
125ml white wine vinegar
300ml extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
generous sprinkling of Herbes de provence or dried oregano
generous salt and a little pepper

Blend all the ingredients in a processor until smooth and creamy

A simple Asian dressing

2 tbsp of lime juice
a pinch of caster sugar
1 tsp of dark soy
2 tbsp fish sauce
a small clove of garlic

In a small bowl mix the lime juice, sugar, soy and fish sauce. 

Peel and finely crush the garlic, then stir it into the dressing.

Vietnamese dressing

2 fresh chillies, seeded and finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

3 tablespoons lime juice

3 tablespoons fish sauce

3 tablespoons sunflower oil

2 spring onions, finely sliced

Combine all the ingredients in a jam jar. Shake well and leave for 30 minutes.