Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can still taste a salad we served at our restaurant in Mexico. It was my favorite. Ripe slices of big tomatoes surrounding a mound of creamy strings of Oaxacan cheese dressed with a tangy but sweet basil vinaigrette. One of our signature dishes–a Mexican Caprese salad–was often what I had for dinner on a hot summer night. It was that good.
Aerial view of Zihuatanejo Bay, Mexico
Memories of Basil Vinaigrette
In the years since we sold the resort and returned to San Antonio, I have been challenged to find the perfect basil dressing recipe. The one that transports me back to Zihua. I have tried many times, but never quite got it. And gave up, which is not like me.
Fortunately, with all of the rain we have had in San Antonio, my herb garden is going crazy and there has been plenty of basil, which is what inspired me to try again to make the perfect basil vinaigrette.
Practice Makes Perfect
Obviously, the gods were shining on me the other day when I whipped up this basil vinaigrette. It looked right. The color was spot on. And the texture was right as well. It was completely emulsified, unlike other recipes I have made.
Before I opened the blender lid, I closed my eyes and, in one whiff, I swore I was in Zihuatanejo, where it seems like summer all year and the basil is absolutely stunning. Then I tasted it and I was immediately transported back to Mexico.
The Best Basil Vinaigrette Lives On
If you also have a prolific basil plant, the best way I can think of to save your basil plant from some of its heavy branches and lighten its load a bit, is to whip up this sweet, zesty and flavorful basil vinaigrette. It pairs wonderfully with ripe tomatoes and mozzarella, but can also be used to dress mixed green salads, drizzled on top of grilled chicken or fish or roasted ratatouille.
My vote is that you make a Caprese salad with juicy, heirloom or homegrown tomatoes, soft and fresh mozzarella (or stringy-Oaxaca) cheese topped with this incredible basil vinaigrette–and I bet you just might think you’re in Zihuatanejo, too.
Buen provecho!
Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 shallot peeled
- 1 heaping and packed cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- scant 2/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
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Place everything but the olive oil in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times to combine, using a spatula to scrape the sides and push everything together.
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In a blender, remove the cap on the lid. Slowly begin to drizzle the oil in the machine. If using a food processor, slowly pour the oil in while the machine is running. If using a blender, hold your hand over the lid as it will splatter if you don't.
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When oil is incorporated and the basil and shallot are pureed, turn off and scrape the sides again. Cover and blend or puree for 1-2 more minutes.
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Place in a glass jar, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. When using the leftover dressing, let it sit at room temperature about five minutes before serving. Shake well and use liberally.
Your recipe instruction #3 mentions shallots but the ingredients list doesn’t list them. Can you clarify?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for checking in and I am happy to clarify.
The first ingredient on the list is a shallot, which is added to the blender with the other ingredients. Step 3 merely mentions that you want the shallot and basil pureed fully.
You’ll find that the shallot brings a nice but subtle allium flavor.
Please let me know how it turns out and thanks for stopping by the blog.
Cheers,
Heather