A new love affair with Shallots....

One day I just woke up and said "Jen, you're going to start incorporating Shallots into all of your meals now".  Seriously, that's about how it happened. :)  Actually, I was making that Potato Soup that I posted last week, that I actually made over a month ago, and thought that shallots would be a nice pairing with the leeks.  Since then they're in my "essentials bowl" after every trip to the grocery store.  Lets back up, what is my "essentials bowl"?  I have a bowl on my counter that always has a good grouping of the following.....

1.  Lemons- I always have tons of lemons around.  Fresh lemon juice makes everything taste better.

2.  Garlic-  I have 3 to 4 garlic bulbs around at all times.

3.  Red Onion & Yellow Onion-  Onion goes in just about everything I make, or it's paired with it.

4.  Now, Introducing to the bowl....Shallots!!!  :)  Such a great sweet but pungent flavor.

Anyway, this bowl is great to have around and really helps me add a little depth of flavor to every meal I make. It's pretty too!  Piled high with citrus and garlic and colorful onions etc. Better than any centerpiece I could ever put out!  Let me know if you think there's anything else I should add to the bowl?  Maybe you have an essential that I've overlooked! 

So, the moral of the story is that I'll be using Shallots a lot more in my recipes and thought I'd share the Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe I came up with on Monday night.  I made an AMAZING spinach salad with eggs, bacon, onion, chicken and toasted PINE NUTS, which were a great addition by the way.  But, the Shallot Vinaigrette "made" the salad.   Super, super easy and you could put it on any salad or use it as a marinade.  I may whip up a big batch and put it in individual mason jars and give it away as holiday gifts to my neighbors!  Cheap, easy and thoughtful :)  OH!  And yummy.....

HOUSEPITALITIES SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

• 1 small Shallot finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Dijon or Grainy Mustard
• 3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar   (normally you want some sugar in a dressing like this and balsamic is a great replacement!)
• About 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Directions
Place Shallot, Mustard, Vinegar in small bowl.  Whisk in Olive Oil slowly.  I'm not a measuring kind of gal so if the tartness is a little off, add a little more Red Wine Vinegar.  If it's too tart, add a Little more Oil :)   Salt and Pepper to taste.

Enjoy!  It has a richness and thickness that most vinaigrette's don't have.  SUPER DELICIOUS.....