Toss Your Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

What better way to celebrate New Year's Eve than popping open a bottle of champagne. Of course if there is a large dinner or cocktail party planned for the evening there will most likely be more than one bottle of champagne present.

The party will be so much fun with all your friends and family present. Some may be spending the night or the weekend with you. There was so much to do to get the party ready. Food shopping at SuperValu in Winona and party favors, plates and napkins from Party City in Flowood too.

The whole day was spent in preparation for tonight's fiesta. The table is set, the hors d'oeuvres are all prepared and a nice garden salad is in place in the center of the buffet table. New Year's Eve parties are not always just about drinking.

Salads require a dressing and simple vinaigrette gives all the fresh produce a flavorful facelift. So which one do you choose? There are so many variations in the store. Not to worry, make your own dressing and celebrate not only New Year's Eve but also the special food holiday that shares the same date. National Champagne Day! You have the champagne for toasting and now you have a champagne vinaigrette or salad dressing to ring in the New Year with a different pop.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of champagne
• ¼ cup of champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of seasoned salt
• ¼ teaspoon of tarragon
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon or Kosciusko mustard
• 2 medium sized shallot bulbs, minced
• 1 large clove of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

Directions:

1. Take out the blender and place the ingredients in when they are prepared as follows:
2. Clean and mince the clove of garlic.
3. Clean the shallots and remove the stems. Cut the bulbs up into small chunks.
4. Now add the olive oil and turn the blender on to get a good shredding on the garlic and shallots.
5. Add all the ingredients on the list with the exception of the champagne.
6. Turn the blender on and mix well until dressing is thin and creamy.
7. Add the champagne and the vinaigrette will thin out some more and finally be ready to place on the table.
8. Pour some into a fancy dressing bottle and add some to a shallow dip dish.
9. Now the salad and the vegetable platter are ready to be placed on the buffet table for everyone to dig into.
10. Enjoy!

Suggestions:

• Make some extra and place the bowl next to the vegetable platter. Guests may want to dip into the salad dressing for extra flavor than hit the onion or vegetable dip again.
• Spicier mustard gives the dressing more of a kick and the Polish mustard does have some heat to it. Milder mustards can also be used if you prefer a calmer flavor.
• Our preference is the olive oil - use the oil that that you like best. The consistency of the vinaigrette will remain intact.
• Change up the dressing slightly if you prefer or stay alcohol free due to medical reasons. Substitute the champagne with a sparkling cider. This is also a great substitute when children are present at the party. They may not make it to midnight but will be enjoying all the food you supply at the party.

Since it is New Year's Eve and many, many people will be having parties and out drinking. Remember to be responsible and bring along a designated driver or call for a cab to usher you home. Don't insist on driving; remain at your host's or hostess' house that night. Sleeping on the couch or even the floor is preferable to getting arrested or getting into an accident for having too much to drink. A great resolution is to not drink too much and be able to get home safely to enjoy this New Year with all your loved ones.

Happy New Year!