Here's an episode from the first time my husband (who is French) cooked me dinner.
Of course, we started with aperitif, then had appetizers, followed by a main dish, and finally had a salad, the dressing of which was delicious. (By the way, it seems that the timing of eating salad varies depending on the region in France. It can be at the beginning or end.)
In fact, the dressing was homemade by my husband. I still remember being impressed by how elaborate it was. There are a wide variety of dressings available at Japanese supermarkets, so I don't think many people make their own. I was even more surprised because I was using store-bought dressings at the time.
On the other hand, I later learned that in France, making your own dressing is a very normal thing to do in an average household, and it's nothing special at all. It's as common and simple as cooking rice in a rice cooker for Japanese people.
By the way, here is a quick guide to dividing up kitchen roles in France (by age) that I learned from Chloé:
Age 8: Making dressing and topping apple cake with apples
Age 12: Making mayonnaise and cutting bread
15 years old: Cutting bread and vegetables
In Japan, children can probably wash and cook rice by the age of 8. By the age of 12, they can use a knife and help cut ingredients.
In this way, making dressing is naturally incorporated into the division of family roles in French households, and here we will introduce some dressing recipes that have been handed down in each household.
First of all, oil and vinegar are essential in any household. Using these as a base, mustard, finely chopped onions and garlic, black pepper, squeezed lemon, honey, nuts, herbs, etc. may be added depending on the arrangement and preferences of each household.
In addition, even though they are all called oil and vinegar, there are many different types in France, so the combinations are endless! Another fun thing is being able to change the flavor depending on the type of vegetables you use in your salad or your mood that day.
It's very simple to make: just put your favorite ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon.
You can easily make it at home because it does not require the use of complicated herbs or blending in a blender. By the way, my family has recently become obsessed with tomato vinegar, and we always use this vinegar for dressings. Even adding a little soy sauce adds a fragrant and rich flavor, making it delicious.
In France, salads are the main dish, and they are hearty and full of ingredients, such as duck, gizzard, chicken, salmon, fruit, etc. Each region has its own local salad, so perhaps that is why dressings are so familiar and pervasive in daily life.
Please find your favorite dressing recipe!