BLT SALAD WITH CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together basil, yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• In a skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes or until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• Meanwhile, cut baguette diagonally into 12 slices. Broil on a baking sheet, turning once, for about 1 minute or until golden. Rub both sides with cut sides of garlic. Arrange in serving basket.
• Cut tomatoes into 1/2 inch thick wedges. Peel, pit and cut avocado into 1/2 inch cubes.
• In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, onion and half of the dressing; arrange on large plates. Top with tomatoes and avocado; spoon remaining dressing over top. Sprinkle with bacon. Serve with garlic toasts.

CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, onion, basil and salt if desired; mix well. Serve over greens and tomatoes.

CREAMY BASIL SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Gourmet Magazine's notes:
• • Use dressing on mixed greens or sliced tomatoes or for chicken salad.
• • Dressing keeps, covered and chilled, 1 day.

CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• In blender or food processor, combine yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice, chopped basil, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper and pureé until very smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in sliced basil and serve.

PICANTE JíCAMA AND ROASTED CARROT SALAD WITH CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread carrots on sheet, then very lightly spray carrots. Roast until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool.
• In dry skillet over moderate heat, toast pine nuts, stirring constantly, until fragrant and light golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately transfer to plate and let cool.
• In small bowl, toss jicama with lemon or lime juice, chile powder, and cayenne, if using.
• To serve, divide mixed baby greens among 4 salad plates and top each with 4 carrots. Mound 1/3 cup jicama atop each portion. Sprinkle each salad with 2 tablespoons pine nuts and garnish each plate with 2 endive, radicchio, or red-leaf lettuce leaves; 2 orange slices; and 2 fig halves, if using. Drizzle 1 tablespoon basil dressing over each salad and serve immediately.

CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

CREAMY LEMON-BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• place egg yolks, pepper, salt, water, mustard and lemon juice in a plastic container. With a burr mixer on high speed, slowly emulsify oil into mixture to make mayo. Each day before use, add a chiffonade of fresh basil to each daily portion.

CREAMY BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• 1. Combine the shallots.basil,mustard,oil,salt and pepper in a blender.
• 2. With the machine running slowly, pour in the lemon juice. Use as a salad marinade or dressing.