Whisk a smooth dressing

What this skill is for

A separate dressing bowl lets you combine the recipe's oil, acidic ingredients and other flavorings before coating a salad or beans. A tahini dressing and a simple oil-and-lemon dressing need different adjustments.

How to do it

1. Measure the dressing ingredients from the chosen recipe into a stable bowl, following its order of mixing.
2. Whisk until the visible texture is even. If the recipe uses gradual oil addition, add it gradually while continuing to whisk.
3. For a tahini dressing, use the recipe's liquid adjustment rather than assuming a thick paste is finished.
4. Taste as directed, then coat the food at the stage the recipe specifies. Whisk again first if the dressing has separated.

Recognize success

• The dressing is evenly mixed when you use it.
• Its consistency suits the food: the tahini dressing coats the beans and remains slowly pourable.

Common mistakes and what to do

• Pouring unmixed ingredients directly over the food makes even seasoning harder. Mix the dressing separately when instructed.
• Adding too much liquid at once can overshoot a tahini dressing's texture. Adjust in small additions as the recipe directs.