Tag: basil

Salads

Sweet Corn Caprese Salad

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Sweet Corn Caprese Salad is an end of summer delight. The fresh sweet tomatoes from the garden, the fresh sweet corn from the market, fresh basil and yummy mozzarella. The salad is easy to make and such a delicious main dish or side.

Sweet Corn Caprese Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese pearls, or an 8oz fresh mozzarella cheese ball cut into cubes
  • 2 cups raw sweet corn kernels, ~2 large ears
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 2 large green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup packed fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing, see notes
  • salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl then toss to combine.
  2. Let sit for 15-30 minutes then serve. Can be made several hours ahead of time.
  3. Notes
  4. I recommend using my Homemade Italian Vinaigrette for this recipe, or your favorite bottled Italian dressing. (I used Newman’s Own Vinaigrette dressing)

Attribution

Sandwiches

Bacon Caprese Open Faced Sandwiches

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What is better than fresh heirloom tomatoes paired with bacon…wowza! I had a baguette on hand and toasted the bread and served as an open faced sandwich. It was delicious and so easy. I purchase the balsamic reduction/glaze at the grocery store but you can also make your own as shown in the original recipe.

Bacon Caprese Open Faced Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:
  • 6 slices – bacon, cooked 
  • ½ cup – mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp – pesto
  • 4 slices – bread (i.e. sourdough, focaccia, ciabatta) (I used a baguette)
  • 6 slices – fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 4 slices – Roma tomatoes, sliced (I used heirloom tomatoes)
  • 1 cup – fresh arugula or spinach
  • 8 each – fresh basil leaves
  • To Taste – kosher salt
  • To Taste – ground black pepper
  • Balsamic Reduction
DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the bacon slices on medium to medium-high heat until crispy (about 5 – 7 minutes). Drain off the excess fat. 
  2. While the bacon is cooking, in a small saucepot combine the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Reduced the mixture by 1/2 over medium heat. Do not boil, turn to medium-low if needed. Set aside to cool.
  3. Combine the mayo and pesto in a small bowl. Season to taste with ground black pepper. 
  4. Toast the slices of bread in a toaster or toaster oven. Spread the pesto mayo on each slice of bread. Assemble the sandwiches in the following order: arugula, mozzarella, bacon, and tomatoes. 
  5. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper. Top with basil and drizzle a little balsamic reduction. Top with another slice of bread and slice! (I served open faced). Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe from BeGreedyEats

Vegetables

Basil Salt

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If you have a plethora of basil in your garden and aren’t sure what to do with it, try Basil Salt. I shared this recipe with my daughter, Megan, who had SO much basil. She made the salt and it is delicious!

Basil Salt

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups basil
  • 1 cup sea salt
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Wash and dry the basil leaves.
  2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Blend the dry basil leaves and salt until well blended.
  4. Spread the salt mixture on parchment paper in a baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  5. Once cool, break it up and blend the mixture again.
  6. Store in an air-tight container. Keeps well for a year.

Recipe from biancafrombrooklyn

Pastas · Salads

Peach Prosciutto Hot Honey Orzo Salad

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Do you have dishes that you dream about and can’t wait to have again? Peach Prosciutto Hot Honey Orzo Salad is one of mine. This dish is so easy to make and a wonderful cool salad for those hot summer days.

Peach Prosciutto Hot Honey Orzo Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • Hot Honey Vinaigrette 
    1/2 cup olive oil
    2-3 tbsp hot honey*
    1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    1 & 1/2 tsp dijon
    1 clove garlic, minced
    salt to taste
  • Orzo Salad
    4 oz prosciutto or pancetta, chopped
    4  cups cooked orzo
    2 large yellow peaches, chopped
    8 oz mozzarella pearls
    1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
DIRECTIONS:
  1. First make the honey honey vinaigrette by combining all of the ingredients in a jar or container. Mix well and taste. Add more hot honey or salt if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Add the chopped prosciutto to a skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy then set aside.
  3. Assemble your orzo salad by combining orzo, chopped peaches, crispy prosciutto, mozzarella pearls and chopped basil in a large bowl.
  4. Drizzle on the hot honey vinaigrette. Toss and enjoy!

Recipe from DashofMandi

Salads

Salad with Peaches, Blackberries & Basil Vinaigrette

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What a delicious summer salad! I love a salad with fresh fruit, nuts and cheese and this one did not disappoint. I took a few liberties with the recipe using endive instead of salad greens and fig goat cheese instead of feta. That’s the beauty of a salad, you can make it your own! I served this with a grilled steak and it was delicious!

Salad with Peaches, Blackberries & Basil Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS:
Basil Vinaigrette:
  • 3/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
Salad:
  • 10 ounces salad greens (I used endive)
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese or any blue cheese (I used fig goat cheese)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (halves or pieces)
  • 1/2 pint fresh blackberries
  • 3 peaches, sliced and tossed with citus/water mixture
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Shake all ingredients in tightly closed jar, or whisk in bowl until emulsified.
  2. Peel peaches, if desired.
  3. Slice peaches and let sit in a bowl with water and about 2 tablespoons of any type citrus juice (lemon, orange, etc.) while preparing the rest of the salad. (I skipped this step since the salad would be immediately consumed).
  4. Toss greens, blackberries, and pecans together. Top with peach slices and cheese.
  5. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.

Recipe from biscuitsandburlap

Fish · Pastas · Uncategorized

Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi

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Shrimp Scampi is a favorite for our family and daughter, Sarah, made this delicious dish. It was so yummy and the kids devoured it, too. Definitely worth a place in the recipe box (or in today’s term, digital file).

Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1-2 lbs fresh shrimp, cleaned and deveined
  • Angel Hair Pasta
  • 1 diced tomato
  • 6-8 whole cloves of garlic
  • 1 diced shallot
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh basil
  • Parsley

For the Shrimp:

  • Milk
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  • Pour enough olive oil in a large sauce pan to cover the bottom, turn to medium high heat. This is the only pot you’ll need for the sauce so it should be big.
  • Soak the shrimp in milk and combine the dry ingredients (flour, cheese, salt, pepper). Coat the shrimp with the dry ingredients and let them fry in the olive oil, About 2 minutes per side until golden brown. The flour that falls off the shrimp will add great flavor and consistency to the sauce. Add more oil as necessary, between batches of shrimp. Dab the shrimp with a paper towel and put aside.
  • Add the garlic to the oil, stir for a few minutes, then turn the heat to medium low.Taste the food and spice accordingly, you’ll definitely need some salt. Now add the wine and bring it to a boil. Then turn the heat to low and cover, let the wine reduce, about 10-15 minutes.
  • COOK ANGEL HAIR PASTA in a separate pot.
  • Add the cream, and bring it back to a boil, turn heat to low and simmer for 10 more minutes. Now add the fried shrimp, Basil, diced tomato, and parmesan cheese. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
  • To plate pour some sauce on a arange the shrimp around the bottom (10 or so), then take a ball of the pasta and plate that above the shrimp. garnish with a little parsley.

Recipe from Food.com

Salads

Peach & Roasted Beet Salad

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Fall is just around the corner and peaches are about gone. This recipe was the perfect addition to a late summer meal outdoors. While this salad is best when it is fresh, the leftovers are quite tasty! I served the salad on a few leaves of mixed greens.

Peach and Roasted Beet Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 4 beets, peeled and cut into wedges or sliced (I used lovebeets already roasted from the grocery store)
  • 2 medium-sized peaches, peeled and cut into wedges or sliced
  • 1 shallot or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped (I used red onion)
  • about 1/4 cup sweet bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
  1. If roasting fresh beets: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash each beet and remove any long strands. Wrap individually in foil and place on an oven-safe tray. Roast approximately 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of the beets). Remove from oven, unwrap the foil, and let cool completely. Once cool enough to handle, peel the skins off (they should slip off easily). Cut into quarter or eighth wedges (or slice).
  2. In a large bowl, toss the onion and pepper with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Carefully cut peaches into wedges and discard the pits. Gently ross in the beet and peach wedges, and add the basil leaves for garnish just before serving.

Recipe originally from grantfarms.com but recipe has been removed.

Salads

Napa Sweet Corn Salad

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Napa Sweet Corn Salad is an end of summer treat! The tomatoes from my garden, the fresh local sweet corn, crispy red apple, avocado, basil, onions, etc. What’s not to like! I would recommend eating this within a day or two and is definitely best when made fresh!

Napa Sweet Corn Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups sweet corn kernels, raw (~3 ears)
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
  • 3 small or 2 large green onions, chopped
  • 1 small avocado, chopped
  • 1 red apple, chopped
  • 1/3 cup sliced or chopped almonds
  • For the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette:
    • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon honey
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Combine ingredients for the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette in a jar or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Taste then add up to an additional 1/2 Tablespoon honey if desired – remember that the sweet corn and apple will add natural sweetness to the salad. Set dressing aside.
  2. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl then drizzle over desired amount of Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette and stir to combine. Serve immediately

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Garden · Italian Dishes · Sauces · Soups and Stews · Vegetables

Freezing Basil in Olive Oil

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What is better than having fresh basil! Unfortunately, when the growing season ends and frost is in the forecast, I pick all of the remaining basil leaves and blend with olive oil. It is frozen, flat, in a freezer bag for use all winter long. I just break off a piece and add to sauces, soups, and other recipes.

Freezing Basil in Olive Oil

INGREDIENTS:
  • Fresh basil of your choice (I used two handfuls of fresh basil)
  • Olive oil (I used 3/4 cup olive oil)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Rinse your basil well and shake off excess water. Remove all the leaves from the stems. Place leaves in the blender.
  2. With the blender on high (or the purée setting), begin to very slowly drizzle olive oil into the blender (using the removable section of the blender lid to reduce splatter).
  3. Stop the blender as needed and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender and/or stir up the leaves.
  4. Continue running and drizzling just until the mixture begins to purée and turn into a liquid. Run the blender until the mixture is smooth.
  5. Pour into an ice cube tray being careful to not over fill. Freeze for 3-5 hours, or until the cubes will easily pop out. Transfer the cubes to a freezer bag, label, and put in the freezer.
  6. Grab 1-2 cubes and place them into your dish towards the end of cooking to melt, as desired.

Recipe from SavoryMoments

Vegetables

Dehydrated Tomatoes in Olive Oil

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Sungold cherry tomatoes are my favorite and they produce for weeks. I often oven roast the tomatoes but I had access to my dear friend’s dehydrator and took advantage of it. The process took several hours and resulted in wonderful dried tomatoes. I followed the directions below to preserve the dried tomatoes with olive oil, fresh basil, garlic, oregano, salt. The result was delicious seasoned, dried tomatoes for pizza, chicken, and other dishes.

Title

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3-4 cups of olive oil depending on the size of canning jar
  • Fresh basil (you’ll need a good amount of leaves to include in each layer, more on this below)
  • 4-5 cloves of minced garlic
  • ½ cup of dried oregano
  • Kosher salt
  • 3-5 pounds of sun dried tomatoes (try and find the imported variety; here’s a link to some organic sun dried tomatoes just in case you can’t get them from Italy) (Note: I used my Sungold tomatoes from my garden)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Note: I used a dehyrator to first dry the Sungold tomatoes from my garden. It took several hours and did a great job.
  2. Start by finding a large, wide mouth, mason jar; pint size is fine, but if you can find larger jars they’ll store more tomatoes. Wash your mason jar very well and you can even go as far as sterilizing the jar. Moreover, it’s vital that your hands and any other tool used for the process are exceptionally clean.
  3. Next, begin layering your unseasoned sun dried tomatoes in the jar in the following order: 1. layer of tomatoes, 2. sprinkle of kosher salt, 3. garlic, 4. pinch of dried oregano, 4. layer of fresh basil leaves
  4. Repeat the above layering process until you’re nearly at the top of the jar (don’t over stuff the jar because your last step includes filling the jar with olive oil).
  5. When you’re finished with each layer push down with a flat object to compress the ingredients.
  6. Finally, fill the jar with olive oil, making sure that the tomatoes are completely submerged (note: the oil will need some time to settle so make sure all of the tomatoes are covered).
  7. Screw on the lid tightly and store the jar in a cool, dark, closet or cupboard.
  8. You’ll need to let the tomatoes sit 6-8 days before consuming them (the oil needs to soften the tomatoes and you also need to let the garlic, basil, and oregano do it’s thing).
  9. Note: I refrigerated the tomatoes to make sure they would not spoil!

Note and Disclaimer (viz a viz Clostridium Botulinum) It’s vital when you cure vegetables in olive oil that you thoroughly clean the jar itself as well as all the ingredients and utensils used in the preparation. My family has been curing and pickling vegetables (as well as tomatoes for tomato sauce) for well over 50 years and we haven’t had any health issues. Although our family has been doing this for many years without incident, there aren’t good studies establishing this practice as safe. Many food safety authorities advise against preserving tomatoes and garlic in oil due the risk of bacterial contamination and proliferation of spores, especially clostridium botulinum, which could be fatal.

Recipe adapted from Scordo.com