Best 2 Fresh Basil Vinaigrette Recipes

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.

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.