Thanks! I'll try to make a vinaigrette this weekend! I want to stop buying salad dressing, but I've been hesitant to try to make my own.
Salad dressings are a great place to start to learn how to freestyle in the kitchen. You can experiment and make as much or as little at a time as you like. The basic ratio is 3 parts oil to 1 part acid (vinigar, lemon juice etc) I usually do enough for just a couple of servings or a serving bowl at a time so it is always fresh and can be changed depending on what you are making.
Have fun experimenting, the ingredient cost is so minimal, if it isn't perfect, it isn't a huge loss. Keep tasting as you go, trust your tastebuds, if it needs a crack of pepper, a little more acid, a bit of salt, a hint of sweetness. I add the ingredients and shake them up in a mason jar. It takes seconds and allows you to control your ingredients. besides being really expensive a lot of salad dressings have crap ingredients.
One of my favorites: Balsamic Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
3 parts cold pressed oil (usually olive, but any nut oils are very nice too)
1 part Balsamic Vinegar
1 squirt of grainy/dijon mustard (this primary acts as an emulsifier and makes the oil and vinegar blend into a silky dressing instead of separating like they naturally do)
To taste:
Maple syrup
Cracked black pepper
Salt (a little garlic salt is nice if you do not use fresh garlic)
Minced fresh garlic - I like the freshness a little goes a long way but makes it yummy
Shake it up, taste, adjust seasonings, taste again until you like it :)