amazing salad or salad dressing made with fresh basil?

[prima]

Anyone have a recipe they love?

[valerie]

I haven't made this but I saw it mentioned in another thread and I think it sounds good...it is served at room temp, so I guess it could be considered a salad.

Brown Rice, Tomatoes and Basil

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/in...

[Isolda]

We have two favorite basil dressings, healthy and unhealty.
Healthy: handful of basil, small shallot, sugar, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil
Unhealthy: handful of basil, a few leaves of mint, small garlic clove, grated lemon peel from about half a lemon, juice from that lemon, salt, pepper, and...mayo to make it nice and creamy. Great on chicken salad, asparagus, potato salad

[JungMann]

Basil goes surprisingly well with watermelon and feta cheese. You can also add onions along with a bit of balsamic to dress. Otherwise I prefer Thai flavors with basil, combining it with oil, vinegar or lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and Sriracha to make a dressing.

[mookie4177]

Stolen from Mark Bittman and tweaked:

Romaine, Shredded Basil, Thin Red Onion, Tomato Wedges (lots)
Toss with Balsamic Viniagrette
Top with a Grilled Cheese sandwich cut into croutons.

[njmarshall55]

Bittman's good. But I go for a basic caprese salad, my way. Alternate slices of fresh mozz, slices of VERY ripe tomatoes...usually Ugly tomatoes., minced red onion sprinkled over the top, olives strewn over it, shredded fresh basil leaves, either red wine vinagrette or balsamic vinagrette, salt/pepper to taste, with GOOD Italian bread for sopping.

[sparkareno]

When I can get nice tomatoes from the farmer's market, I slice them and put a slice of goat cheese on each one and then a dollop of black olive tapenade on top of that. I made a dressing with red wine vinegar, dijon, olive oil, honey & basil (whip it up in the mini food processor) and drizzle it over the tomatoes. Then I sprinkle some more fresh basil over the top & if I am feeling wealthy I might even sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top. The colors look really pretty plus the honey is good with the peppery basil.

[peppermint_sky]

Yum sparkareno, can't wait to try that! Thank you for the idea.

I made a new basil dressing today -- as you say, great to whirl together in the mini food processor. A few handfuls basil, some olive oil, a little good vinegar, a touch of sugar, salt, and pepper. Served with a grilled vegetable salad.

And sparkareno, your talk of that divine honey/basil combination reminds me of one of my favorite dressings -- this honey vinaigrette from epicurious. I always serve this over arugula. so the honey offers the ideal contrast to the peppery arugula. I play around with milder vinegars b/c I am not really a fan of sherry vinegar.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

[blinknoodle]

lightly steamed asparagus + strawberries + basil leaves + baby greens + good quality balsamic vinegar. add edamame if you want a meal-like salad.

you can also make a lovely dressing with avocado + olive oil + lemon juice + garlic + salt + basil in a blender

[prima]

wow- thanks for all your suggestions so far!

[iL Divo]

sour cream
mayonnaise
dijon
olive oil
crushed garlic
hot pepper flakes [only a few]
handful of basil
salt and pepper
it's a thinner dressing, so you may need to add a little bland vegetable broth.
the consistency is just beyond half and half

[onrushpam]

A local pizza place makes ones of my favorites...
They grill a humongous portabella, plonk on bits of fresh mozz, small slices of tomato (usually cut up grape tomoatoes) and a bunch of basil. They serve it on a bed of fresh spinach and drizzle with vinaigrette. The bed of spinach usually has a fair number of basil leaves mixed in. I think the kids in the kitchen get lazy and just mix the spinach/basil together, rather than cutting up the basil to sprinkle on top. I love it that way! The hot shroom kinda wilts the spinach/basil and really brings out the flavor. It's simple, but so good. Think I may need to go there soon! Or, make it at home. :-)

[escondido123]

If you make a salad using baby lettuce or spinach and add basil leaves, it comes as a surprise to people when they get a leaf of the basil...I like that a lot.

[rasputina]

Green Goddess dressing, check out Ina Garten's recipe on food network.

[ctfoodie]

this salad is my summer staple and I am asked to bring it everywhere i go. Sorry that amounts are not exact i just do it to taste.
Boil or roast 6 ears of farm fresh corn. (i like mine pretty crunchy)
Chopped heirloom, vine, or cherry tomatoes

Dressing
1 head of Basil (leaves picked off)
2 tbs Lemon juice
1 tbs dijion
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Put first 3 dressing ingredients in a blender. Blend for a few secs. Slowly drizzle in Olive oil until thin enough to pour ( probably 1/2-3/4 cup. I have never measured)
Cut kernals off the corn. Toss with tomatoes. Pour dressing over and salt and pepper to taste. The bite of the dressing contrasted against the sweet of the corn and tomatoes is amazing. You can add fresh mozzerella, arugala, roasted zucchini...the possibilities are endless. Enjoy.

[KayceeK]

I love to do a roasted sweet potatoes salad. You roast them with oil, seasonings, bit of cayenne. Add some diced pears and continue roasting. Toss with fresh basil and splash of lemon juice at the end and let it come to room temp. Yum!

[fourunder]

Classic vinaigrette....oil, vinegar, mustard, basil, salt & pepper....garlic, onions or shallots optional.

[iheartcooking]

I basically make a traditional basil pesto, but a little thinner, add some parsley or other fresh, grassy herbs, and blend with a bit of mayo. Makes a creamy green dressing that's as pretty as it is tasty. (It's pretty much my own version of Green Goddess, as I made the true recipe for GG and thought it was just awful.) Lazy version=fresh store bought pesto+lemon juice+mayo.

My friend has made a vinaigrette with fresh basil and the basil got really slimy.