Best Fresh Basil Vinaigrette Recipes

TORTELLINI SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl large enough to hold the salad.
• Cook the asparagus in 4 quarts boiling water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the asparagus to a colander using a slotted spoon (do not discard the boiling water).
• Shake out any excess water and toss with the vinaigrette.
• Return the water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until tender, following the package directions.
• Drain the tortellini thoroughly, then toss while hot with the asparagus and dressing.
• Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Just before serving, stir the toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and Parmesan into the salad and season with salt and pepper.

TORTELLINI SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• 1. Whisk the olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta salad. 2. Cook the asparagus in 4 quarts boiling water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a colander using a slotted spoon (do not discard the boiling water) and run under cold water until cool. Shake out any excess water and toss with the vinaigrette. 3. Return the water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until tender, following the package instructions. Drain the tortellini thoroughly, then toss while hot with the asparagus and dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. 4. Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, stir the toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and Parmesan into the salad and season with salt and pepper.

TORTELLINI SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL AND TOMATOES IN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the Vinaigrette: Whir first five ingredients in blender until smooth. Drizzle thin stream of olive oil in until all is emulsified. Set aside.
• Boil tortellini according to directions, drain, rinse in cold water to stop the cooking. Spread cooked pasta out on a jelly roll pan, drizzle with the good olive oil and sprinkle with pepper; stir up to coat tortellini with oil. This prevents the pasta from going glue-y when added to the rest of the salad ingredients. Set aside, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to a couple hours.
• In a very large bowl, place quartered tomatoes, feta cheese crumbles, scallions, and pour about half the vinaigrette over, tossing gently. Refrigerate the tomato mixture until 2-3 hours before serving.
• About 2-3 hours before serving, toss the oiled tortellini with the tomato mixture, add a bit more dressing, if you think it needs it. Refrigerate. Just before serving, toss the fresh basil with the tortellini-tomato mixture. Serve.

PASTA PRIMAVERA SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Salad: Cook pasta in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes.
• Drain.
• Rinse pasta with cold water and drain again.
• Chill.
• Blanch broccoli and summer squash by immersing in boiling, salted water for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Rinse in cold water and drain.
• Combine all salad ingredients.
• Just before serving, drizzle with Vinaigrette Dressing and toss.
• Arrange on a serving platter lined with leaf lettuce.
• Vinaigrette: Add garlic and basil to blender container.
• Process on Chop.
• Add salt, pepper and mustard; process a few seconds.
• Add lemon juice and vinegar and blend.
• Add olive oil and process until smooth.

FRESH MOZZARELLA WITH RED AND YELLOW TOMATOES AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange the cheese and tomatoes on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette, to taste, and garnish with basil leaves.;
• Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.

TORTELLINI SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta salad.
• Cook the asparagus in 4 quarts boiling water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a colander using a slotted spoon (do not discard the boiling water) and run under cold water until cool. Shake out any excess water and toss with the vinaigrette.
• Return the water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until tender, following the package instructions. Drain the tortellini thoroughly, then toss while hot with the asparagus and dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, stir the toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and Parmesan into the salad and season with salt and pepper.
• To Make Ahead
• The salad can be prepared, covered, and refrigerated a day in advance. Before serving, freshen the salad with a spoonful of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

WARM OCTOPUS AND SWEET ONION SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL AND LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Place lemon juice, shallot, garlic and honey in a medium saucepan and reduce to 1/2 cup. Place reduced syrup into a blender, add olive oil and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and fold in the basil.
• For the salad: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and caramelized. Add the vinegar and cook until reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the octopus, water, vinegar, garlic, wine corks, bay leaf and peppercorns. In a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until tender, about 3 hours. Remove the octopus from the water and place on a platter lined with paper towels. Heat the grill or grill pan. Cut the octopus into pieces, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
• Assembly: 2 cups mixed greens Lemon vinaigrette Chopped fresh basil and parsley
• Toss greens in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons lemon vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Place the greens on a large platter and top with the grilled octopus. Drizzle with more of the vinaigrette, top with the onion slices and sprinkle with the fresh herbs.

FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil with 1 cup basil in medium saucepan over medium heat until basil turns bright green and small bubbles appear, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn off heat and steep 5 minutes.
• Process shallot, garlic, vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and mustard in blender until garlic and shallot are finely chopped, about 15 seconds.
• With blender running, slowly add remaining oil and steeped basil oil and continue to process until dressing is smooth and emulsified, about 15 seconds.
• Pack remaining basil into blender and process until dressing is smooth, about 15 seconds.
• Dressing can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days.

FRESH MOZZARELLA WITH RED AND YELLOW TOMATOES AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange the cheese and tomatoes on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette, to taste, and garnish with basil leaves. For the vinaigrette, combine ingredients and blend until smooth.

PAN SEARED SUMMER SQUASH WITH FRESH BASIL AND LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh basil and salt.
• Slice the zucchini into large rounds.
• Warm a 10-inch skillet (Whole Foods suggests cast iron) until very hot.
• Place the zucchini in pan and sear over high heat, until blackened, 2-3 minutes.
• Flip onto other side and sear additional 2-3 minutes, until both sides are blackened.
• Place zucchini on a large platter. Spoon vinaigrette over zucchini. Serve warm.

FRESH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil with 1 cup basil in medium saucepan over medium heat until basil turns bright green and small bubbles appear, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off heat and steep 5 minutes. Process shallot, garlic, vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and mustard in blender until garlic and shallot are finely chopped, about 15 seconds. With blender running, slowly add remaining oil and steeped basil oil and continue to process until dressing is smooth and emulsified, about 15 seconds. Pack remaining basil into blender and process until dressing is smooth, about 15 seconds.