Italian Vinaigrette

Every single year.  I get lured in by the promises of longer days and warmer weather in early March, and I plant tender, young plants in my garden.  And without fail, every year, I spend at least one weekend running around the yard with pillowcases and sheets at dusk to try and protect those very plants from the cruel dagger of frost.  🪴

This year, I had every intention of waiting until the end of April, to put my precious plants in the ground.  And I really tried ... I did. 😬  Then we had 3 consecutive days of nearly 80 degree temperatures and I caught a massive case of Spring fever. 😂 Before I knew it, I was driving to the nursery, picking out plants and putting them in the garden - in early March.  🤦🏻‍♀️

So here we are, one week post basil planting and as I feared, temperatures will to be dipping into the 20's for the next 3 nights!  For anyone who happened to be driving past my house between 9:00 and 10:00 last night - that was me running around outside (in heels) covering my plants with sheets and blankets.  😅

Why do I do this to myself?  I'm fairly certain that repeating an act over and over and expecting different results is a definition of insanity.  😅 🤷🏻‍♀️  I just got so excited about Spring gardening that I couldn't wait even a couple extra weeks.  🤦🏻‍♀️

I love having fresh herbs to cook with in the summer.  They make pastas, marinades, not to mention salads, taste so much better - and fresher. And being able to pick those herbs from my own backyard is so rewarding.  A simple green salad with romaine lettuce, fresh basil and tomatoes and a classic vinaigrette is one of my all time favorite springtime treats.  🥗

​Maybe it's the Italian in me but, I feel like a simple, vinaigrette recipe is something that everyone should have in their back pocket. (not literally🤣)  It's so easy to whip up a homemade vinaigrette that there's really no excuse NOT too.  I make this so often that this Italian vinaigrette is one of the only recipe that I've committed to memory.  It truly is super simple and simply delicious.  

Italian Vinaigrette
1 Tablespoon wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons minced shallot
1/2 teaspoon mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
pepper
​3 Tablespoons olive oil

Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper.  

Drizzle in olive oil while whisking.  

Prepare lettuce in bowl.  

Drizzle over salad and toss.

Here's to tucking in my new plants under the sheets for the next several nights to protect them from frost. 🥶 Reminding myself that it will all be worth it when I have fresh basil to put in my salads next week.  🤣 🌿
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Ciao!

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