Don't you love it when someone makes a pretty, thoughtful salad for you? I'm usually in such a hurry that, if I do make a salad for lunch or a solo dinner, it involves haphazardly tossing a bunch of ingredients in a bowl and drizzling them with balsamic vinegar and then olive oil (because who has the 20 seconds that it takes to make a proper vinaigrette?)
The salad ends up being fine. I mean, it suits its purpose in the sense that it makes me less hungry. Honestly, it usually ends up being a C- salad, with too much balsamic vinegar that stings my taste buds and essentially masks the flavor of every other ingredient.
Which doesn't make me very happy. You know what does make me happy? A pretty salad with a well-balanced, zesty vinaigrette.
I usually end up wishing that I had taken a bit more time preparing a meal that is as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate. I think I at least owe that to myself, right? Right.
With this recipe, I've officially turned over a new lettuce leaf. Inspired by the abundance of fresh basil that we've had in our garden (who knew basil grows so well in the desert?), this salad has "summer" written all over it. Rows of grilled peaches, corn, asparagus, potatoes, and mushrooms lie next to ripe tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella atop a bed of mixed greens. The vinaigrette is a lemony basil pesto: something that is just as good spread on a turkey sandwich as it is tossed in a salad (which is why this recipe makes enough for leftovers.)
The result is a vibrantly-colored, healthy salad that would be a lovely al fresco lunch and dinner entree or a popular side dish for your next picnic or barbecue. I ate it for lunch and dinner the day that I made it. So, technically, this salad was so delicious that it actually ended up saving me prep time in the long run. That means it's a keeper.
Do yourself a favor and make this pretty, delicious salad and addictive pesto vinaigrette. I promise, you'll be happy you did.
Jersey Girl Cooks
Great salad! I do the lazy way often...lol. Then too much vinegar. Will have to give this vinaigrette a try!
Julie @ Peanut Butter and Julie
Thanks so much, Lisa! Then you know what I was talking about. Don't you hate that? It always burns my taste buds and covers up the flavor of the salad. I hope you love the vinaigrette as much as we did!