We’ve all heard that word here and there: “emulsify.” Why do we need to emulsify a vinaigrette? It is simple, emulsify is just a sophisticated word used for saying that you are making ingredients that would not naturally mix together, like water (or vinegar or wine or citrus juice) and oil, come together. And we do want them to come together so that when we add the vinaigrette to a salad or a dish, we’ll be able to taste their combination and not their disparate routes. If you don’t make them mix, you may get one forkful of unappetizing oil-covered greens, and another that tastes overly acidic, making your eyes squint.
To make them mix, or to emulsify, all you need to do is whisk with a fork or whisk or puree in a blender. By mixing fast, the oil breaks into the tiniest of droplets so that it has no choice but to mingle with the other ingredients. However, as it is natural, with the passing of time, the oil will separate again.
In my kitchen, as in most Mexican kitchens, most of my vinaigrettes are oil based. I usually do a ratio of 1 vinegar (or citrus or fruit juice) to 2 or 3 of oil, depending on how acidic my vinegar or juices are and if I am adding other things.
The French are keen on emulsifying with a whisk; it is effective as its many loops help achieve a faster emulsification than a fork. But the most common way to do it in a Mexican home, is to either add all the ingredients in a jar and shake it like mad, or, if there are solid ingredients like herbs, onion or garlic, for example, to puree in a blender. Forget all that mincing.
You know a vinaigrette is emulsified when it tastes hom*ogenous, when you can’t feel the oil separated from the rest. A common vinaigrette, like my cilantro one above, when ready, will look a bit cloudy, frothy, and slightly thickened.
If you make a vinaigrette ahead of time, emulsify and then taste to see if it’s missing anything. You can store it in the refrigerator for later use, but just remember to give it a good shake before you pour it onto anything.
Salads are sometimes dressed with a few drops of vinegar and oil separately. But, the reward for taking the extra step to emulsify is the balance of flavors that come together and don’t reach for separate routes once in your mouth.
