Fast and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

This fast and fresh basil vinaigrette is gooooooood and so versatile. Throw this zesty, fresh vinaigrette with some cantaloupe and watermelon skewers, vegetables, or pasta, and it won’t disappoint. It’ll be your official vinaigrette of summertime.

By now you recognize a theme, right? Particularly in the summer — I love throwing fresh, healthy, whole ingredients into a food processor and making a beautiful vinaigrette or pesto that doesn’t require any fuss. This vinaigrette is so simple but I promise will be such a versatile accompaniment, you’ll want to throw it with everything.

There are only a few basic ingredients in this fast and fresh basil vinaigrette, most of which you probably have in your pantry right now: basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

What can I do with my basil vinaigrette?

There are a million things to do with it, including:

• Toss it with a summer orzo, tomatoes (raw or roasted), corn, red pepper, and a protein of choice (or none at all) combo
• Drizzle over these cantaloupe, prosciutto and mozzarella skewers (see picture below)
• Use it as a finishing sauce for pizzas, pastas, eggs, vegetables, or meats
• Toss with a green salad
• Drizzle over a heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad (droooool)

Clearly my food processor is life. If you’re in the market for one, this is the one I highly recommend because it’s the one I own.

Other summer pesto-type things I make in a food processor:

• This pea and basil pesto is killer on pasta or on top of salmon.
• Avocado crema is perfect on top of fish tacos
• Did you know you could make pesto out of the tops of carrots? Yep. Check it this Carrot Top Pesto..
• My tried and true classic summertime basil pesto. Freeze it so you can taste summertime in the cold of February. Trust me.

It’s seriously so good.

I hope y’all enjoy!

xox