Fruit Salad with Sweet Basil and Lime Dressing

Tags

basil, dessert, dressing, fruit, gluten free, lime, salad, summer

I love good fruit but sometimes it gets old eating the same old apples and bananas. This fruit salad tastes fancy but is a snap to toss together. And the lime/basil combination is delicious. You could substitute the basil for mint or thyme too. Yum!

Fruit Salad with Sweet Basil and Lime Dressing

• 1 cup of 4 kinds of fruit (I used grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and kiwi)
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 5 to 8 leaves of basil, julienned

In a bowl, combie the lime juice, zest, and sugar. Pour over the fruit. Toss lightly. Sprinkle with basil. Serves 4.

Basil and Peach Bourbon Fizz

Tags

basil, bourbon, cocktail, fizz, Kentucky Proud, peach, Southern

After a Bourbon Series, I think it might be appropriate to show you at least one way I enjoy my bourbon. I especially like that it incorporates the seasonal ingredients of peaches and basil. Don’t be put off by crushing the peach. It only takes a minute and having the smoothness is essential to me. I don’t like chunky drinks. I do like this though! And you will too. Promise.

Basil and Peach Bourbon Fizz (inspired by this recipe)

• 1 peach
• 4-5 basil leaves
• 2-4 ounces Sprite
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce sweet bourbon (think Makers’s Mark or Woodford Reserve)

Pit the peach and press it through a small screened strainer or a Foley mill. Muddle the basil leaves and the peach together. Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and ice. Top with Sprite. Garnish with a basil leaf. Makes one cocktail.

Other bourbon recipes you may like-

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Cherry Bourbon Fizz

Bourbon Truffles

Bourbon Cherry Lemonade

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

 

Strawberry Basil Martini

Tags

basil, cocktail, gluten free, herbs, martini, strawberry, summer, vodka

Strawberries were on sale this week at my grocery. My garden is overrun by basil. The perfect opportunity to create this cocktail. I love the fresh, herby-ness of the basil and the sweet of the strawberries. Maybe this is a “girly” drink but I love it. Next time I think I will try raspberries and rosemary… The fruit/herb possibility are endless.

Strawberry Basil Martini  (from Cin Cin Let’s Eat)

• 7-8 fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• handful of basil leaves
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz lime juice (I added an oz)
• 4 oz vodka (I use Rain Vodka, a gluten free vodka that is tasty!)
• Ice

In a a cocktail shaker, muddle together the strawberries, basil, and simple syrup. Add lime juice, vodka and ice. Shake and pour into a martini glass garnished with a strawberry. Serves 2.

Blackberry and Basil Gin and Tonics

Tags

adult, basil, beverage, blackberry, cocktail, gin, lemon, tonic

I love a good gin based cocktail. Most every bartender can make a basic Tom Collins without screwing it up too bad. Which is good for you on dollar well drink nights at your local watering hole. This cocktail is a little more mature than those watered down cheapies. It’s perfect for those who love herbs or gin or citrus.

Blackberry and Basil Gin and Tonics (a variation of this recipe)

• 12 blackberries
• 12 basil leaves, torn
• 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 12 ounces gin
• Tonic water
• Ice

Set out four high ball glasses. Place 3 blackberries, 3 basil leaves, juice of ½ lemon, and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in each glass and muddle together. Fill each glass with ice, followed by 3 ounces of gin. Top off each drink with tonic water, stir and serve. Makes 4 drinks.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Tags

appetizer, basil, caprese, food, fresh, fruit, salad, strawberry

LOVE THIS SALAD!

Thanks to Rufus for posting this recipe a couple of weeks ago on his blog. It is so tasty and fresh. And I have decided I like goat cheese. The first time I tried goat cheese, I thought it was horrid. So musky, rank even. Bleck! Goat cheese tasted just like billy goats smell. No thank you!

I have tried a couple of goat cheeses since then and I think I like it. I must have had a bad batch or milk from an old goat (hehe!). The goat cheese in this recipe is perfectly paired with the sweet of the berries, the tang of the vinegar, and the herby wonderfulness of the basil. And it looks so fancy!

Strawberry Caprese Salad

• Goat cheese log, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 10 basil leaves, torn
• Black pepper, to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
• Balsamic vinegar, to taste

Place the goat cheese in the freezer for a bit (30 minutes maybe). This will help it slice easier; otherwise it will be a crumbly mess. On a plate, arrange the cheese, strawberries and basil in a repeating row. Top with desired amounts of pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. Enjoy!

Tomato Basil Bisque

Tags

basil, Dinner, garden, soup, summer, Supper, tomato

This time of year, my tomatoes are really cranking them out. Rather than let them go to waste, I have been on the lookout for new ways to put them to use. One of my favorite soups is tomato bisque. It tastes like it is hard to make but this recipe proves it is not.

Tomato Basil Bisque

• 4 tomatoes – peeled and diced
• 4 cups tomato juice
• 14 leaves fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons onion, chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, chopped
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• 1 dollop of bacon grease or butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat.  In a small skillet, saute onion, garlic, and pepper flakes. Add to tomatoes and juice. Simmer for 30 minutes.  Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot. Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.

Insalata Caprese

Tags

appetizer, balsamic vinegar, basil, Dinner, Italian, mozzarella, salad, Supper

The perfect summer time salad/appetizer. All the ingredients are in abundance this time of year and meld together perfectly. The classic salad consists of only 6 ingredients but does not include balsamic vinegar- one of the ingredients that most people associate with the salad. Other variations include this vinegar as well as sweet or red onions.  Below is the most traditional recipe but if you like the vinegar or onions then you should use them.

• 8 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt, preferably sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

On a platter, alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella. Garnish generously with basil leaves, tucking some underneath the tomatoes. Drizzle the olive oil over all, and then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 6.