Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella salad with Basil Vinaigrette

This is pretty much a caprese salad by another name. The basil Vinaigrette that is in this recipe will become a staple in my house from now on. Very easy and very fresh. The dressing would go well on any salad or with steak, chicken and possibly fish.

Ingredients:
For the dressing:
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
3 large basil leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

For the salad:
1 large ripe tomato, or 2 medium tomatoes
4-6 large basil leaves
1/2 lb fresh mozzarella cheese (regular or buffalo mozzarella)

Servings: serves 2 as a side

Instructions:
In a blender, combine the mustard, vinegar, garlic, chopped basil leaves, salt and pepper. Process until fairly smooth. Then, add the oil in a stream (through the hole in the lid of the blender), until all is well incorporated.

Cut the tomato into 1/4-inch thick slices. Wash and dry the basil leaves. Slice the mozzarella into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange the tomato, basil and cheese on a platter.

Pour as much of the dressing as you like over the top. Season with additional black pepper, to taste.

Recipe From: ThePerfectPantry.com

I love a good caprese salad, but it is something I have never tried to make at home. I also usually don't make my own dressings, just as easy to go out and buy one that is pretty tasty. But todays culinary adventure has me rethinking that strategy.

I used my immersion blender to whip up the dressing really quick instead of a food processor. Tossed all the liquids in the chopper attachment and rough chopped the garlic and basil. Pulsed the heck out of it until it was all nice and "whipped" up. No pesky streams of olive oil or anything like that. The chopper gets going so fast it all comes together just the same.

A great quick no fuss side. Comes together in maybe 15 minutes and tastes like you slaved over it. And make sure to use the best mozzarella you can find along with the best tomatoes, the dressing is amazing but the salad is simple and needs good ingredients for the base.

Avocado Blue Cheese Dressing

This heavenly dressing combines all the creaminess of avocados with the sharpness of blue cheese in every mouth watering bite. Goes well on a plain salad or kick up a main course salad with this dressing as it goes well with chicken and beef. Heck, using it as a sauce on steak or chicken to dress up the grill meat, fantastic all around.

Ingredients:
3 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 avocado
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots**
2 tbs. light sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
salt, pepper, olive oil

Servings: 2 generous servings, 4 if your stretching it

Instructions:
**Saute the shallot with a tsp. of olive oil until soft and fragrant. Let cool for a few minutes and transfer to a small mixing bowl.

Add all ingredients except avocado to the bowl with the shallots and mash/stir them together. It’s up to you how chunky you want it to be.

Slice the avocado and add to the mixture. Mash/stir to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. If it’s too thick, another tbs. of milk.

Recipe From: PinchOfYum.com

**I have made this 3 times now and never have I been able to get the shallots when I got around to making this. Everyone is out of shallots, every time. I think the shallots would make a great addition, but if you don't have them, don't let this stop you. It also cuts down on prep and makes this a no cooking at all recipe.

I also often throw all the ingredients into my KitchenAid immersion blender chopper attachment and pulse a few times. The blue cheese will be in small chunks but the avocado pretty much liquefies. I never need to add more milk when I make it with this method. But this recipe could just as easily be done with a potato masher or a fork!

Once this stuff is made, eat it right away. It has avocado in it, and even with the lemon juice and vinegar it is going to turn disgusting poo brown in a bit where it meets the air. Still tastes great when it is poo brown, but doesn't look all that great.

This stuff is sinfully delicious, melt in your mouth amazing. Best dressing I have ever made. You can also use it as a steak sauce, also, amazing. But I don't want to know how many calories are in it, no one ever tell me that fun fact.