"Zesty Italian" dressing

 

No, no. I am well aware that this in no way resembles a classic Italian dressing...with its lovely simplicity of oil and vinegar. 

But a fit of summer nostalgia had me craving the Italian pasta salad you see at every grocery market deli and every summer picnic. You know the one? Rotini dotted with red pepper, olives, occasionally pepperoni and mozzarella and SWIMMING in "zesty Italian" dressing.  The dressing is key to the pasta salad. Only I didn't have any. I am not one prone to buying many oil and vinegar dressings, given how easy they are to make at home. This Kraft knock off is no different, and you probably already have most of these ingredients on hand. 

Adapted from thekitchn and pennilessparenting.com

 Yields about 1 1/2 cups

The Ingredients:

1 cup high quality extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

2 large cloves of garlic,minced

2 Tbsp shallots, finely diced

2 Tbsp red bell pepper, finely diced

2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp honey

1/2 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried marjoram

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp basil

Pinch of red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste

The Process:

Combine all of the ingredients in a 1 - pint sized jar. Cover and shake vigorously until thickened and well combined. Alternative, whisk all of the ingredients in a bowl, or give a whirl with an immersion blender.