Healthy Eating: A French Dressing For All Seasons.

The summer after I graduated from high school I went on a summer exchange  program to France. Why France?  I'd taken French in school and wanted a chance to test-out my new language with people that knew it a little bit better than I did- like a whole country full of them.  I had heard all the horror stories about how rude the French were to Americans abroad, but I was prepared to steel myself against the Gallic hordes and dazzle them with my new-found language, such as it was.

To my amazement I found that the French were actually encouraging once I began to stumble through the most elementary of phrases, which usually had to do with where I could find things, like public toilets.  I was going to need all the French I could get since I was destined to try my words and phrases out on a real family.

So, off I went to Lyon to live with a family for a month.  Looking back on it now I would have to say that they were both gracious and patient with my halting language capability and I must confess my great capabilities brought forth great gales of laughter from the whole family from time to time.
Such is the burden carried by a freshly-minted world traveler.

Language exploits aside, I did cultivate an understanding relationship with my French "mother" who took great pride in her cooking abilities.  The one secret she gave me, which I use to this day, is how to make a real French salad dressing- just like they do in homes throughout France.  It's simple and easy to make, and tastes formidable!  

How to make an authentic Dijon Vinaigrette dressing:

1. Measure out three tablespoons of olive oil (your preference; mine is extra virgin)
2. Measure out one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
3. Add one line of Dijon mustard (use a squeeze bottle of Dijon and, starting from the base of the tablespoon run a smooth line of mustard to the front of the lip, about one inch)
4. Mix the oil, vinegar, and mustard with the tablespoon until it is blended.
5. Sprinkle with pepper and salt to taste. 
6. Remix the dressing right before you add the salad makings.

The secret is to do the above mixing in the bottom of the salad bowl and then add the salad ingredients immediately on top of the dressing.  Then toss lightly until all of the salad is lightly coated.  This will help in getting the salad uniformly coated and reduces the chances of premature wilting if the salad has to stand before serving.  

Try this simple, unpretentious salad dressing in your home.  You can tweak the ingredients as needed to suit your taste, and I guarantee once you try it, you will feel the caress of the Mistral at your back and hear the soft soothing notes of an accordion playing in the streets below your open window.