What Makes a Great French Salad Dressing?
A favorite in American households for decades, French salad dressing boasts a tangy flavor and thick appearance all its own. The best kinds will balance a variety of ingredients — from tomato to vinegar — along with sweetness and just enough sourness. No other dressing adds as much zing to so many of your favorite salads. A great French salad dressing begins by offering a rich color that can range from bright orange to dark red. It will often appear rather shiny, with many visible specks of spices, especially black pepper. Look for a moderately intense, but complex aroma in the best French salad dressing. It should include a host of aroma notes: tomato, vinegar, mustard, and onion, plus seasonings such as paprika and black pepper. Despite the aroma’s complexity, each individual element should be discernible, with none particularly dominant over the others. Moderate sweetness should be the most notable basic taste in a top-quality French salad dressing, with enough sourness and saltines
