How to Make Creamy Pepper-Parmesan Dressing

Use a mortar and pestle to grind the peppercorns for your dressing.

Create homemade salad dressing within minutes with fresh ingredients and common kitchen utensils. Creamy pepper-Parmesan dressing blends the strong flavor of fresh pepper, the tang of buttermilk and the mild note of Parmesan cheese into a rich mixture that enlivens salad and pasta alike. For a tangy contrast, use this dressing in a cold tortellini salad served on a bed of greens and garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley.

Things You'll Need

• Blender or food processor
• Mortar and pestle
• Whisk
• Mixing bowl
• Decorative bottle or jar with lid (16 oz.)
• 1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 tsp.)
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Crack the peppercorns and grind coarsely using a mortar and pestle.

2. Combine the cracked peppercorns, vinegar, Parmesan, honey, garlic and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend well.

3. Remove the small cap on the lid of the blender. With the blender on low speed, drizzle oil in a slow, steady stream into the mixture. Continue blending until all the oil is incorporated.

4. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl. Whisk in buttermilk.

5. Transfer the dressing to a bottle or jar. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 week. Serve with pasta or green salad.

Tips & Warnings

• For a tangy contrast, use this dressing in a cold tortellini salad. Serve on a bed of greens and garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsely.

• Give a gift of this dressing in a fancy corked bottle.

• If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can buy cracked peppercorns at the grocery store.

• Add the oil in a very slow, steady stream. If you add the oil all at once or too quickly, the dressing will not blend properly. Using a glass measuring cup with a spout will give you better control when pouring.

References

• Food Network: Creamy, Lemony, Pepper-Parmesan Dressing on Romaine Lettuce Salad
• Allrecipes: Pepper-Parmesan Dressing