Whenever I’m at the grocery or TJ’s and I see that big ol’ box of basil I always want to buy it. There are two things that I love love love that can be made from all that yummy fresh basil and one is Fresh Basil Vinaigrette salad dressing and the other is Pesto. Problem is, both of these things typically go on pasta (carbs!) and it’s a defect for sure, but the hubster doesn’t like basil. So when I commit to that big ol box – you know it is ON ! And, I need some friends to share with since the hubster won’t be going in on this yumminess!
Despite Dave’s disinterest in basil, this recipe is a staple in my house (because I love love love basil) and I’ve shared it previously on my FB page and it got a few followers over there. I would very much like to claim credit for this recipe but I can’t. I got it off Pinterest a few years ago – and make it as written – essentially… All the credit goes to Two Peas and Their Pod and the original recipe / link is here.
This dressing takes literally about 10 minutes to make and is as fresh as summertime and it just makes me feel young and healthy when I take a whif of this stuff – like it’s transforming me back to when I was 25. I know that sounds crazy or corny or both – but this dressing is so light and fresh and delicious maybe it will transform you too ?
Buy the BIG box of Basil
Yes, the ENTIRE box of basil goes into this salad dressing. No, it isn’t too much.
Use a blender or your baby food processor or your immersion blender to zip it up !
My immersion blender is one of my very favorite kitchen tools. I use it so much that I’m on my second one because the original motor gave out. If you use your immersion blender on this salad dressing – it will take about 10 minutes total. Five of those minutes is spent cleaning and preparing the basil…
This dressing can be used on :
Almost anything. Yesterday I made this dressing and the Tortellini Salad with Basil, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepper and Corn, but then I also used the dressing on some air fried croutons. You could also use this dressing on a regular green salad – add lots of tomatoes, and maybe some baby mozzarella balls. Or go straight to the Caprese salad with this one? I have never done it but I bet this dressing would be an excellent sauce or marinade on Chicken! Once you make this dressing I bet you too will have a thousand ideas for what to do with it!
So let’s get to it !
Fresh Basil Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 4 oz Fresh Basil Leaves – washed and de-stemmed (~ 2 C packed)
- 2 cloves Garlic – smashed
- 2 Tbl Shallot – peeled and rough chopped
- 2 tsp Fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbl White balsamic Vinegar – or Champagne Vinegar or similar (in a pinch could use red wine vinegar)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ C Olive Oil – high quality….
- Fresh ground Pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Get your ingredients ready.
- Peel skin off garlic and shallot and rough chop.
- Pour olive oil into the container you are using to zip up (blender / immersion container etc.)
- Put shallot / garlic, lemon juice, salt and vinegar into the container and zip up.
- Add all the basil – a bit at a time – zipping up in between adds until all of the basil is added and combined.
- Add some fresh ground pepper to the dressing / stir. Taste – determine if you are happy with the result or need slight modifications. It should be delicious as is…tho…
