Tomato-Infused Sherry Vinegar Dressing
Kickin' Up the Flavor Game: Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette
Whip up this luscious, tangy concoction with overripe tomatoes, perfect for adding a unique twist to your steak salad, hearty greens, or grilled poultry! Keep your eyes peeled, as the tomatoes may burst when heated!
The Lowdown: Be cautious when working with this vinaigrette! Due to its tomato-heavy composition, it can explode when it's heated.
Store your fresh vinaigrette in the refrigerator in an airtight container for around a week.
- Servings: Approx. 1.5 cups
- Difficulty Level: Simple Simon
- Total Time: Sets you back 10 mins
Ingredients (7)
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- 1 cup cherry or pear-shaped tomatoes
- 1 medium garlic clove, chopped rough
- 1 medium shallot, chopped rough
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley or chives
Directions
- Fire up your medium frying pan over medium-high heat, adding a splash of grapeseed oil until it shimmers. Toss in the tomatoes and sear, stirring occasionally, until those skins pucker and begin to brown, approximately 2 minutes (Watch out—when they get warm, some might pop!). Add in the garlic and shallot and cook until softened, around a minute longer.
- Transfer the tomato mixture to a small, deep mixing bowl, combine with vinegar, and pureé with an immersion blender. Alternatively, you can blend the tomato mixture in a blender, but use extra caution when blending hot items to avoid a tragic lid explosion.
- Gradually pour the remaining 1/2 cup grapeseed oil and the olive oil in a thin, steady stream, blending continuously with the immersion blender, until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper, mix in herbs, taste, and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Extra Insights: To maintain the flavor and texture of your vinaigrette, proper storage and reheating are vital. Since the Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette isn't extensively covered in search results, I'll provide general advice based on comparable vinaigrettes:
- Refrigerate: Store the vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week[3][5].
- Avoid Sunlight: Keep your vinaigrette out of direct sunlight to prevent flavor degradation.
- Room-temperature Salvation: Vinaigrettes typically don't need reheating, as they are served cold. However, if you've added a thickened or separated tomato component, you can warm it slightly by letting it hang out at room temperature for about 30 minutes prior to use.
- Gentle Warming (if needed): If you need to gently warm your vinaigrette (for example, if you've added ingredients that have caused it to thicken), heat it gradually over low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches room temperature. Avoid overheating, as this can lead to separation or flavor loss.
- Pro Tips:
- Shake and Stir: Before using, give the vinaigrette a good shake or stir to re-emulsify it if it has separated.
- Texture and Flavor Check: If the vinaigrette has thickened too much or the flavors seem off after refrigeration, you might need to adjust it with a bit more vinegar or oil.
Crafting Your Own Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette
If a specific Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette recipe isn't in hand, you can whip up your own by blending:
- Sherry Vinegar (like in a standard vinaigrette)
- Tomato Puree or Fresh Tomato Juice
- Olive Oil
- Dijon Mustard (optional)
- Garlic (minced)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Adjust the proportions until it comes out to your taste preferences. Your homemade vinaigrette can then be stored as indicated above.
- This hearty Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette, with its luscious texture and tangy flavor, can enhance the taste of your steak salad, hearty greens, or grilled poultry.
- Proper storage is essential for preserving the flavor and texture of the vinaigrette, so store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately a week.
- To make your own Sherry-Tomato Vinaigrette, blend sherry vinegar, tomato puree or juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard (optional), minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, and adjust the proportions to suit your taste preferences.
