Everything about food, from matching food and wine to recipes, techniques and trends.

Question about salad dressings

Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker

no avatar
User

Carrie L.

Rank

Golfball Gourmet

Posts

2476

Joined

Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:12 am

Location

Extreme Southwest & Extreme Northeast

Question about salad dressings

by Carrie L. » Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:19 pm

How long do you keep homemade salad dressings with fresh garlic or shallots in them? Does the vinegar (and/or oil) preserve them, or do they build up bacteria relatively quickly?
I tend to keep mine for a few weeks, but wondering if that is too long...
Hello. My name is Carrie, and I...I....still like oaked Chardonnay. (Please don't judge.)
no avatar
User

Karen/NoCA

Rank

Hunter/Gatherer

Posts

6325

Joined

Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:55 pm

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Karen/NoCA » Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:25 pm

I do the same thing Carrie, usually keep leftover vinaigrette a week to ten days in the refer. I've read something about garlic being a problem, but never have had one myself. I would suspect the vinegar takes care of that. However, I am sure one of the science guys will chime with a better explanation. :wink:
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42547

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Jenise » Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:44 pm

I'm not a science guy but I have a sensitive nose and palate, and have never noted an issue, Carrie, with dressings based on oil, vinegar, garlic and salt. Other fresh ingredients can introduce things with a shorter shelf life, but think about the fact that oil in itself is something of a preservative--keeping an oil film on top of newly opened jars of anchovies, sun dried tomatoes and a number of other things of that type preserves those items where if exposed, they grow mold.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

Carrie L.

Rank

Golfball Gourmet

Posts

2476

Joined

Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:12 am

Location

Extreme Southwest & Extreme Northeast

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Carrie L. » Mon Dec 31, 2012 4:29 pm

Jenise wrote:I'm not a science guy but I have a sensitive nose and palate, and have never noted an issue, Carrie, with dressings based on oil, vinegar, garlic and salt. Other fresh ingredients can introduce things with a shorter shelf life, but think about the fact that oil in itself is something of a preservative--keeping an oil film on top of newly opened jars of anchovies, sun dried tomatoes and a number of other things of that type preserves those items where if exposed, they grow mold.


So you think it's safe to keep them longer? A few months maybe? (I will not hold you responsible for any potential, future illness based on your response.) :lol:
Hello. My name is Carrie, and I...I....still like oaked Chardonnay. (Please don't judge.)
no avatar
User

GeoCWeyer

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

839

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:24 pm

Location

WoodburyMN

Re: Question about salad dressings

by GeoCWeyer » Mon Dec 31, 2012 4:48 pm

I think it is safe because of the acid of the dressing. I always try to add all my dry and fresh ingredients including the salt to the acid, stirring the blend until the solid ingredients are covered and have had a chance to soak up some of the acid. Then I add the oil. IMHO this mixture can be kept for quite a while in the frig.
I love the life I live and live the life I love*, and as Mark Twain said, " Always do well it will gratify the few and astonish the rest".

*old blues refrain
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42547

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Jenise » Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:51 pm

Yeah, if there were fresh fruits or cheeses in there, I'd worry a little more about shelf life, but I make dressings that often sit in the fridge for 2-3 months and have NEVER had any problems.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

Paul Winalski

Rank

Wok Wielder

Posts

7974

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:16 pm

Location

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Paul Winalski » Tue Jan 01, 2013 4:05 pm

The problem with garlic would be botulism. You're safe with salad dressing because Clostridium botulinum can't grow in the presence of either oxygen or an acidic environment, and the vinegar provides both. What's dangerous is to keep garlic cloves in vegetable oil. The oil completely seals out oxygen from the air, providing just the environment that the bacteria need. EVOO might have sufficient acidity to guard against the bacteria growing, but I personally wouldn't risk it--the downside if you get it wrong is really horrible.

-Paul W.
no avatar
User

Jo Ann Henderson

Rank

Mealtime Maven

Posts

3920

Joined

Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:34 am

Location

Seattle, WA USA

Garlic

by Jo Ann Henderson » Tue Jan 01, 2013 4:55 pm

Interesting that you would state that about garlic, Paul. I roast garlic and keep preserved in a jar of EVOO with a bit of cracked black pepper (sometimes salt and/or herbs) all the times. Often for months, replinishing and using off it as needed. Never had any gastrointestinal problems. Now you will have me worried! :?
"...To undersalt deliberately in the name of dietary chic is to omit from the music of cookery the indispensable bass line over which all tastes and smells form their harmonies." -- Robert Farrar Capon
no avatar
User

Christina Georgina

Rank

Wisconsin Wondercook

Posts

1509

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:37 pm

Garlic

by Christina Georgina » Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:30 pm

Heat in the roasting process should inactivate the clostridium spores. Raw garlic preserved in oil would be a problem.
Mamma Mia !
no avatar
User

GeoCWeyer

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

839

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:24 pm

Location

WoodburyMN

Re: Question about salad dressings

by GeoCWeyer » Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:28 pm

The old fashioned oven/oil canning method was done for years by many with no negative results. It was also done by the few with deadly results.
I love the life I live and live the life I love*, and as Mark Twain said, " Always do well it will gratify the few and astonish the rest".

*old blues refrain
no avatar
User

Paul Winalski

Rank

Wok Wielder

Posts

7974

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:16 pm

Location

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Paul Winalski » Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:54 am

Unfortunately the roasting process might NOT kill the Clostridium spores--they're extremely hardy. But the acidity of EVOO may be sufficient to kill the bacteria from any spores that activate. There have been cases of botulism from roasted garlic cloves stored in oil. It's rare (as is botulism in general), but it has happened.

-Paul W.
Last edited by Paul Winalski on Sat Jan 05, 2013 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
no avatar
User

David Creighton

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

1217

Joined

Wed May 24, 2006 10:07 am

Location

ann arbor, michigan

Re: Question about salad dressings

by David Creighton » Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:44 pm

for me, garlic vinagrettes seem to take on a rancid like character fairly quickly - don't know why.
david creighton
no avatar
User

Jenise

Rank

FLDG Dishwasher

Posts

42547

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Location

The Pacific Northest Westest

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Jenise » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:44 pm

David, I agree with you. Growing up, my family ate salad with every dinner and it was my job to make it. I was trained by my mother to make our standard everyday dressing in a big jar, just garlic+oil+vinegar that we would then use up over the next month-ish, and it definitely changed from first to last. I always thought of it as a tinny flavor. Still love the combination, but I make it fresh in the bottom of the bowl each time we want that salad.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
no avatar
User

Mark Lipton

Rank

Oenochemist

Posts

4285

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:18 pm

Location

Indiana

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Mark Lipton » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:28 pm

Jenise wrote:David, I agree with you. Growing up, my family ate salad with every dinner and it was my job to make it. I was trained by my mother to make our standard everyday dressing in a big jar, just garlic+oil+vinegar that we would then use up over the next month-ish, and it definitely changed from first to last. I always thought of it as a tinny flavor. Still love the combination, but I make it fresh in the bottom of the bowl each time we want that salad.


Jenise,
My job was to make the salad dressing, too (as well as the coffee for my father and setting the table). Unlike you, I made it fresh every night: oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, garlic and dried tarragon. I'd make it in a small jar and dress the salad when it was on the table. I wasn't clever or creative enough to try storing it, I guess.

Mark Lipton
no avatar
User

Dale Williams

Rank

Compassionate Connoisseur

Posts

11125

Joined

Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:32 pm

Location

Dobbs Ferry, NY (NYC metro)

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Dale Williams » Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:52 pm

Mark Lipton wrote: My job was to make the salad dressing, too (as well as the coffee for my father and setting the table). Unlike you, I made it fresh every night: oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, garlic and dried tarragon. I'd make it in a small jar


Voila, the birth of a chemist! No chemistry set with test tubes required.
no avatar
User

Mark Lipton

Rank

Oenochemist

Posts

4285

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:18 pm

Location

Indiana

Re: Question about salad dressings

by Mark Lipton » Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:46 am

Dale Williams wrote:
Mark Lipton wrote: My job was to make the salad dressing, too (as well as the coffee for my father and setting the table). Unlike you, I made it fresh every night: oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, garlic and dried tarragon. I'd make it in a small jar


Voila, the birth of a chemist! No chemistry set with test tubes required.


No doubt that helped, Dale, but the chemistry set in the basement also did its job. :D

Mark Lipton

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Majestic-12 [Bot] and 2 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign