Rice Wine Vinaigrette - Cook With Brenda Gantt (2024)

• August 10, 2023
• 8:22 am

The Rice Wine Vinaigrette, a delicate elixir born from seasoned rice wine vinegar, is a testament to the art of simplicity in culinary crafting. This dressing transforms a handful of basic ingredients into a symphony of flavors that dances on the palate. With its ability to enhance the natural essence of fresh ingredients, the Rice Wine Vinaigrette beckons you to embrace the subtleties and nuances of your salad creations. In the world of salads, this vinaigrette stands as a versatile companion, offering a touch of elegance to a variety of greens and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt (for seasoning)

Preparations:

1. In a small bowl or jar, pour the seasoned rice wine vinegar and neutral-tasting oil.
2. Using the palm of your hand, smash the garlic clove and add it to the vinaigrette.
3. Stir or shake the vinaigrette to combine the ingredients.
4. Taste the vinaigrette with a leaf of lettuce and adjust the seasoning by adding salt or acid as needed.
5. Allow the vinaigrette to rest for a minimum of 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Prior to using the vinaigrette, remove the garlic clove.

Tips:

• The Rice Wine Vinaigrette pairs exceptionally well with an array of salads, including garden lettuces, romaine and Little Gem lettuce, shaved daikon radish, carrots, cucumbers, and any Avocado Salad creation.
• To add a touch of heat to the vinaigrette, incorporate 1 teaspoon of minced jalapeño.
• For a flavor profile reminiscent of Korean or Japanese cuisine, infuse a few drops of toasted sesame oil into the vinaigrette.

Yield: Makes about 1/3 cup

In the realm of culinary craftsmanship, where complexity often takes center stage, the Rice Wine Vinaigrette stands as a testament to the extraordinary impact of simplicity. It is a symphony of flavors conducted with finesse, transforming humble ingredients into a dressing that elevates salads to an art form.

This vinaigrette begins with seasoned rice wine vinegar—a key to its delicate and nuanced flavor profile. The vinegar’s subtle acidity offers a gentle tang that enlivens the palate without overpowering the dish. The dance of seasoned rice wine vinegar and neutral-tasting oil is a delicate waltz, each partner complementing the other to create a harmonious balance that enhances, rather than masks, the flavors of the ingredients it adorns.

The garlic clove, treated with respect as it’s smashed and introduced to the vinaigrette, contributes a whisper of earthiness that lingers in the background. It is a gentle reminder of the dressing’s origins, adding depth to each bite. The simplicity of these elements working together reveals the vinaigrette’s ability to transcend its basic components and create a symphony of flavors that resonates with each taste.

Tasting the Rice Wine Vinaigrette is an invitation to experience the harmony of flavors. The initial freshness of the vegetables is enhanced, rather than overshadowed, by the vinaigrette’s subtle magic. The seasoning is adjusted to taste, allowing you to create a perfectly balanced blend that suits your palate. It’s not just a dressing; it’s an experience—an exploration of taste that delights the senses.

As the vinaigrette rests, the flavors continue to intermingle, resulting in a symphony that deepens over time. This dressing is not meant to overpower; rather, it embraces and elevates the natural flavors of ingredients. Its versatility is a remarkable trait, allowing it to pair harmoniously with a variety of greens and vegetables. From garden lettuces to shaved daikon radish, romaine to cucumbers, the Rice Wine Vinaigrette shines as a versatile companion to a world of possibilities.

In the world of culinary variations, the Rice Wine Vinaigrette offers delightful choices. To add a touch of excitement, a hint of heat can be introduced with minced jalapeño. Alternatively, a few drops of toasted sesame oil transport the palate to the flavors of Korea and Japan, evoking a sense of adventure with every bite.

In conclusion, the Rice Wine Vinaigrette is a masterpiece of simplicity, where every element plays a role in crafting a symphony of flavors. It urges us to embrace the subtle magic that can be conjured from basic ingredients and offers a reminder that true elegance often lies in the uncomplicated. As you embark on your culinary endeavors, let the Rice Wine Vinaigrette be your guide—an invitation to savor the essence of freshness and simplicity in every bite.

I am a self-taught cook. I started cooking around 18 years old. I stood in the kitchen and watched my mother, who was my biggest inspiration at the time, cook.