The Simple Secret To Super Salad Dressing

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Okay. It’s time to share some secrets. Like my absolute favorite, go-to salad dressing. This has nothing to do with Osmia or skin care, except that there is some cool emulsion chemistry involved, and you can apply the chemistry piece to any salad dressing you make. I make this dressing almost nightly, and my kids won’t touch dressing from a bottle. Smart lil’ buggers.

So, here is the secret recipe:

  1. Start with a very good quality balsamic vinegar. If you are going to splurge on one of the three ingredients, this is the one. I like Fini (black label)—very nice, yet still relatively affordable as balsamic vinegars go. Don’t use a balsamic reduction, just a good quality, aged balsamic. Pour 1/4 cup into a small jar (you will need a lid).
  2. Add two generous pinches of coarse sea salt. I like pink Himalayan salt, but any coarse salt will do, just not boring old table salt.
  3. THIS IS THE KEY STEP: WALK AWAY FOR 5-10 MINUTES! Here is where the chemistry magic thing happens. You need to let the salt sit in the vinegar and get completely dissolved in the acid. When you come back, give the jar a gentle swirl to make sure you don’t hear any crystals scraping the bottom. If you do, keep swirling until it goes away. (This will work with any other vinegar, or lemon juice. It's the combination of acid and salt that makes the next step happen.)
  4. Add 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (I choose organic, cold-pressed). If you don’t feel like measuring stuff, just make sure the balsamic and the oil are in equal parts. Ish.
  5. Put the lid on the jar and SHAKE (not you—shake the jar) for about a minute.

OTHER SALAD DRESSING TIPS 

Et, voila, c’est ca! You've created a strangely thick emulsion that will make you want to eat salad all day, every day. Or at least once a day. If it’s too tart you can add a teaspoon of organic maple syrup. If you like a little kick, add a bit of dijon. (Add these things to the vinegar and salt step, allowing them to sit before adding oil.) The dressing will keep for three days at room temperature. If it separates a little, just shake again before serving, though it should stay fairly emulsified if you followed all the magic instructions.

Try it, and let us know how it goes. Hope it makes you eat your greens with a big fat smile!

With love and a HUGE salad from us to you, 

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OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.