Angie’s Basic Salad Dressing – (Homemade vinaigrette for few dollars)

I stopped purchasing salad dressings so many years ago. I grew up making my own vinaigrettes. Main caveat, when you juggle a full day of work and family, you don't have much time to make fresh things at home. Instead, it is easier to purchase products already made from the grocery store. There are few problems with salad dressings, though, they are expensive, unhealthy and loaded with stuff you do not need to eat.
 
Today, I want you to take about 10 minutes of your time to work with me. We are going to make your own salad dressing for this week. Trust me, it will taste amazing, it will be fresh, natural with no preservatives and hey, you made it yourself! Let’s do this now!
 
Ingredients: TOTAL COST ($2.95)
1 lemon (.50)
1/2 orange (.40)
3/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($1.15)
1/4 tsp. Salt (you can add more salt if you prefer) (0)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper (0)
1/4 tsp. Spanish paprika (0)
5 tbsp. parmesan cheese (.40)
1-2 med. size garlic cloves chopped (if your prefer less garlic flavor, just cut in half) (.20)
1 tbsp. capers (.20)
Chopped chives to taste (.10)
 
Directions
In a glass jar with lid, mix all the above listed ingredients. Shake real well to allow the ingredients to release the favors.
 
You will get an emulsion of all these ingredients, but they will separate again. Therefore, shake well before using all the time.
 
Refrigerate for at least 8 hour. (I usually make it the day before) Before using it let it rest on your counter top for up to15 minutes.
 
When ready to serve, shake it well again and you are done.
 
Angie's Hack:
Every week I change few ingredients to give my basic dressing a different flavor. You can do the same by:
 
1. Use only lemon or orange, not both. Or instead, use red wine vinegar.
2. Instead of chives, use Basil, a spring of Thyme or ground oregano.
3. Or, do not add parmesan cheese into the jar that week and instead, give it a Greek flavor by using feta cheese directly in your salad.