With all the choices and availability of pre-fabricated aka prefab sauces and dressings it is indeed easy to grab a bottle and use, but it never beats the home-made product. Even better once you understand the technique and mastered the basic recipe you can tweak to your culinary heart adding your favorite taste and flavor personal preferences. This is my Balsamic Mustard dressing recipe.

• 1/2 small onion diced finely
• 1 clove garlic minced finely
• 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin or light
• 1 tablespoon mustard wholeseed mustard, dijonaisse
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar red/dragon vinegar, Chinese black vinegar, rice vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon honey or fine sugar
•  salt & pepper to taste
• handful mix fresh herbs 2 sprigs each; oregano, rosemary, basil, chopped finely

Balsamic-mustard dressing: Cut the onion and dice finely, mince garlic, slice finely all the herbs. In a bowl add the onion and garlic pour the vinegar on top and let it blend first, than add the mustard, olive oil followed by the chopped herbs. Whisk to emulsify everything together or give it a good shake in a jar. Taste, add salt & pepper to taste and any adjustments if needed.

Instead of my homemade Balsamic Mustard Herb dressing, you can opt for a much easier American Honey Dijon dressing recipe as published on About.com, which I often make as well.

For 2 cups of Honey Dijon dressing:

• 1/4 cup Dijon Mustard
• 1/2 cup Honey
• 1/2 cup Cider Vinegar
• 2/3 cup Olive oil
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk vigorously until emulsified or have everything in a jar and shake vigorously till combined and dressing consistency.
2. For a creamier touch add 2-3 tablespoon of mayonnaise.
3. Use this as your basis and add fresh herbs or other ingredients to give it your own twist, you can easily leave out the honey if you like a sharper taste.