Name: Lemon Basil Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup packed fresh basil; 1/4 cup water; 1/4 cup white vinegar; 1 1/2 lemons juiced and zested; 1/4 cup raw blanched slivered almonds; 1 clove garlic; 1 Tablespoon Maple syrup

My herb garden is busting with basil. When I decided to make my green bean salad recipe today, I decided to pair it with my lemon basil dressing recipe. Since the produce was so beautiful at the market this week, I planned an entire week of salads for dinner. In Arizona, the temperatures are 100 degrees in the early evening. So, my lemon basil dressing is refreshing paired with my cold green bean salad.

Not only is lemon basil dressing refreshing, but it’s also oil-free and perfect for any summer salad recipe. And, it’s simple to make!

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE LEMON BASIL DRESSING?

First, fresh basil is necessary to make this refreshing lemon basil dressing. In Arizona, basil thrives in my garden in the 100-degree temperatures. In fact, all my herbs seem to grow at an increasing rate all year round compared to my indoor and outdoor gardens when we lived in Michigan.

Another suggestion is to use fresh lemon juice and garlic. Even though it would take a discerning palate to tell the difference between bottled and fresh lemon juice, most bottled juices contain preservatives. And, another bonus to fresh lemon is the lemon zest. Since I used lemon zest for this lemon basil dressing, make sure you buy organic lemons or scrub them before zesting.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

Raw blanched slivered almonds
White Vinegar
Water
Fresh Lemon Juice
Garlic
Fresh Basil
Maple Syrup

Additionally, you will need a quality high-speed blender. For instance, I use a Nutri-bullet, which is no only inexpensive, I’ve owned it for years. Despite popular belief, you do not need a blender similar to a car payment. Quality, for example, doesn’t always come with tehhgihest price tag.

Then, you simply blend the ingredients, refrigerate and use on your favorite salad, veggies, or pasta.

SUGGESTED RECIPES THAT GO WELL WITH LEMON BASIL DRESSING

Personally, I love lemon basil dressing so much, I often double the batch and put it on a variety of dishes. In fact, I think I would eat it with a fox, in a box, in a house…..it’s just that good! So, here are some of my favorite recipes: