Making Bean Salad - Ratio Oil to Vinegar?

Question

I want to duplicate the recipe from my favorite health food store for making a confetti bean salad (cold). They probably use balsamic vinegar ( or red wine vinegar) and olive oil. I don't want it too sour or too sweet.

So would the proportions be 2 olive oil to 1 red wine vinegar or balsamic??? What's the taste difference between red wine vinegar vs. balsamic?

If you have a fav recipe for that, please feel free to post it. Thanks.

Answer 1

Generally, for vinaigrettes the ratio is 3 parts oil to one part vinegar. But this is not written in stone by any means. Even "The New Professional Chef" the CIA's (Culinary Institue of America) bible has recipes ranging from 1:1 to 4:1.

But the 3:1 ratio is a good jumping off point. As far as the sugar goes you really just want to use enough to offset the acid in the vinegar/mustard/citrus juice. This is done more by taste than measure.

There is a HUGE difference between red wine and balsamic vinegars as there are between one brand of balsamic to another.

True Balsamic comes from Modena in Italy. It will say "a product of Modena" right on the bottle if it is such. From here it is aged in casks (wooden barrels) just like wine. And just like wines they use different woods for different flavors (usually oak, though). And the aging has a large effect on the finished product. There are some Balsamics (private family stock) that are over a hundred years old and sweet enough to put on ice cream as a syrup!

Find a balsamic you like and do some trial and error. You will develope the perfect dressing for your taste and have one to share for many years to come...

1C Balsamic Vinegar
1T whole grain mustard (with or without white wine)
a pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1T honey
3C Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Combine these ingredients in a food processor and blend until thoroughly incorporated. While the machine is running (on low) VERY SLOWLY add the olive oil so that it will emulsify. If you choose to refrigerate this dressing be sure to pull it out of the cooler 1 hour before service. Chilled olive oil will "set up" like butter. It may require shaking or blending before using if refrigerated.

Answer 2

Hi!

1/4 cup red wine vinegar (I add a little extra vinegar but make it red wine so it is not too harsh - if you want it sweeter use balsamic)
2 tbsp. water
2/3 cup oil
1 packet italian seasoning mix (for extra zing)
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) cut green beans, drained
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained
1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained (green or black depending on what kind of flavor you want)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley


This is so easy this will take you 5 minutes :)

Answer 3

I use a 1 oil to 2 vinegar ratio. You should be able to tell which vinegar the health food store uses---Balsamic would have a darker color and stronger flavor...

Red wine vinegar has a mild pungent flavor.
Balsamic vinegar has a strong sweeter flavor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

NANCY's ITALIAN BEAN SALAD
1 large green pepper, sliced in strips
2 small onions, sliced thin
1 medium can chick beans, rinsed - drained
1 medium can kidney beans, rinsed - drained
1 medium can cannellini beans, rinsed - drained
1 small can string beans, rinsed - drained
1 small can wax beans, rinsed - drained
1 small can lima beans, rinsed- drained
1/3 cup oil
2/3 cup white vinegar
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
In large bowl, mix together beans with peppers and onions. In small bowl whisk oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Add dressing over beans. Toss to coat. Cover. Refrigerate. Marinate overnight.

Answer 4

Use a mix of rwv and balsamic, water, and olive oil

The ratio mix should be about 1:1:1 for vinegar/water/oil, siimilar to salad dressing

Answer 5

The usual ratio for any dressing is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. A little dijon mustard will help hold it all together in suspension for a few minutes while you mix it on your salad.

Answer 6

Mix 2 oo to 1 rwv and add Italian seasoning into the mix

Answer 7

google it or ask the store