Mom’s Simple Sweet and Sour Dressing

Mom’s Simple Sweet and Sour Dressing

By Nancy Erickson

This is the basic Midwestern sweet and sour dressing I grew up eating on green salads and coleslaw.

Serves 6
Prep Time: 10 min 
Total Time: 10 min 

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar (regular white vinegar will do, and that's what my mother uses)

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• A pinch of salt

• A few grinds of pepper

Instructions

1. Place the vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a quarter mason jar, screw the lid on tightly, and shake vigorously.

2. Once the sugar dissolves add the oil and shake again to mix.

Notes

1. Traditionally this dressing is made with equal parts sugar, vinegar, and oil, but my mother and I agree that we prefer it a little less sweet these days, so we've backed down to 1/4 cup sugar. You can also try it with honey or agave syrup instead of white sugar.

2. My mom uses this dressing on tossed salad and cole slaw. And when she uses this same dressing for cucumber salad (cucumbers with sliced sweet onion) she replaces the oil with water for a very light marinade.