Basic vinaigrette

Today, I used my measuring spoons for the first time in about six weeks. It was like meeting up with some old friends.

Basic vinaigrette

Cooking has been one of the casualties of my “morning sickness”:/news/2007/our-little-announcement these past few weeks, and our whole family has felt it. We have been exploring the riches of frozen foods available to middle America — and I’ve been grateful to not have to suffer through the smell of sauteing garlic (something I usually *love*). But my nausea is abating just enough right now to drive me to eat a fresh salad — complete with this homemade dressing, modified somewhat from Nigella Lawson’s standard recipe in “_How to Eat_”:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0470173548/octothorppres-20.

p{color:gray}. Photo: A recent meal — which Ann absolutely loved — of frozen chicken nuggets, instant potatoes, and canned green beans. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

*Basic Vinaigrette*

scant 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
a few drops of cold water
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar (other varieties work well, too)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
a good grinding of black pepper
6-8 tablespoons olive oil

Measure all ingredients into a small jar with a tight lid. (Old jam jars work well. I’ve tried baby food jars, but I always have trouble sealing them tightly enough.) Shake vigorously until well-combined. Add more salt and pepper to taste, then toss with greens. (I like adding lightly toasted walnuts, too.) Store leftover dressing in the fridge — and bring to room temperature before using again.

3 Replies to “Basic vinaigrette”

  1. Isn’t it funny how morning sickness completely dictates how both you & the rest of your family eats? The little one is asserting his/herself already :) Things I normally don’t eat when not in the first trimester become my favorite things!

    Congrats again!

  2. I would have to say morning sickness this time around was way worse…maybe because Maddy “HAD” to be with mommy when she was gracing the toliet, or the cooking, or the jumping on mom’s tummy (which she still does). But at least this time it is going away, with maddy I was sick ALL 9 months. I hope yours will go to. We just moved and have a new awesome kitchen I am thinking of you lots as we try new foods…although the one scheduled for tonight is a fish dish and I can’t find flounder….HMMM. I aslo was thinking I should make some cup cakes to frost when I am laboring!!

    We have a doula this time (no midwifes to be found around here) and as I was persuading (sp) Brian to foot the $$ for the doula I made him read about your experience!! so thanks for that post.

    So will name and sex be a surprize this time? We have 11 days to decide if we want to know the sex. I don’t, Brian does. Hard call!

    We are so excited. Get rest and enjoy the growth!

    OH…we are potty training next week (she is 20 months and does go on the potty…even poop, but I need to get it consistant….I can’t handle the poopy diapers right now), have you read on this or researched? Wondering your thoughts, if so.

  3. We are planning to find out if this one is a boy or girl. A co-worker of mine couldn’t decide if she and her husband wanted to know, so they had the ultrasound technician write it on a piece of paper and they sealed it in an envelope — which they didn’t open until the baby was born! That is major willpower, in my opinion, but a fun idea too. :)

    I have NO THOUGHTS on potty training, only that I figure we won’t get serious about it until after the baby is born so that Lucy has time to get used to one big change at a time. But if she shows signs of readiness before then, maybe I’ll change my mind. Good luck with it!

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