Two words:  Smoked Paprika.  Where did I first see this recently?  I honestly can’t remember because I would certainly post the link here to give credit where it’s due.  I’d never, ever heard of smoked paprika until just yesterday and for some reason got intrigued.  I had to find out more about this spice!

I enjoy cooking with the more typical sweet paprika for sure…quite a few of the various South American soup recipes I’ve posted in here call for paprika.  I smile and remember the thrill of two trips to Budapest, Hungary in my lifetime (SUCH a beautiful city – very highly recommended) and picking up some tins of paprika in the busy markets on the Pest side of the (Danube) River.  Great gifts and souvenirs; after the paprika is used up the tins are so pretty for decoration or re-using.

It was meant to be.  I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store today and ta daaaa…many of the spices at the Albertson’s down the street are half off for the next few days!  I don’t mind splurging on food at all – I budget quite a bit toward eating out and grocery shopping actually – but stocking up on spices can add up!  I will likely now go do the “smell test” on every other spice I haven’t replaced recently to see if they’re still fresh.  And I’m a bit of a goofball because I alphabetize my spices in my pantry.  But how else can you quickly find what you need?  Smoked paprika, welcome to my spice shelves!

I found this recipe in an online search and just whipped it up in my mini Cuisinart (the one small appliance that doesn’t have a broken latch or leaks).  This makes about 1 1/2 Cups so the mini food processor is a perfect size.  The vinaigrette is a beautiful, deep rich orange color…so pretty to look at and the flavors are incredible!

Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

• 1/2 C red wine vinegar
• 1/3 C honey
• 1 T stone-ground mustard
• 1 T lime juice
• 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt (I used my standard grey Celtic sea salt)
• 1 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 T chopped onion
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1 pinch white sugar (optional)
• 1/2 C olive oil

Blend all ingredients except the olive oil in a blender or food processor until thoroughly mixed. Drizzle the olive oil into the mixture while blending on low.  Cover and chill at least one hour before serving.

Fivenineteen notes:  taste the vinaigrette and add a tiny pinch of white sugar if it’s too tart for your taste.  If you’re using a food processor, the little hole at the top is perfect to slowly infuse the olive oil with the rest of the ingredients. 

I was a little nervous about using the honey in my pantry because it’s raw.  It doesn’t flow out of the jar like typical honey does – it’s so thick you need to scoop it out with a spoon…you can turn the jar upside down and it won’t come out.  But it turned out great!

This is also a wonderful choice for a marinade…I can’t wait to try this tonight!

Buon appetito!