Basil Vinaigrette

Basil is abundant in many kitchen gardens. Making it into a vinaigrette or pesto gives you a versatile condiment. Use on your favorite green, bean, grain salad. Drizzle it on pasta, flat bread or bruschetta. Baste your grilling vegetables with it.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basil leaves

• 2 Tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar vinegar

• 1/4 tsp fresh thyme

• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed or minced

• 1 small shallot, peeled and crushed or minced

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• squeeze of fresh lemon

• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a blender or using a mortar and pestle, blend or crush all ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

Drizzle over your favorite seasonal vegetable, grain, lentil or pasta salad. Use it as a baste meat or veg on the grill.

Energetics

Overall, this recipe nourishes Yin and strongly promotes digestion. Basil is clearing and invigorating. Vinegar’s sour flavor moves stasis and stimulates digestion. Walnut or olive oil both nourish Yin and Jing, as does salt. Pepper strongly warms Yang.