This is an Italian inspired vinaigrette that is zesty yet subtly sweet from the sun-dried tomatoes..
Our friends are coming to visit this weekend for a beach day/picnic and I thought I would make a potato salad with this vinaigrette. It has been so sunny and warm lately and this is the perfect compliment to this weather we are having.
Recipe: Approx. 1 1/2 Cups
- 1/3 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil – packed
- 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/3 Cup Champagne Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Filtered Water
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 2 Small Garlic Cloves
- 3/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- Dash Black Pepper
Instructions:
Measure the tomatoes and add to the bowl of a food processor or blender and turn on until the tomatoes are minced. Add the garlic. and lemon juice then turn on the processor for at least a minute. Add the oil, vinegar water salt and pepper, then puree. Lastly, add the basil and puree.
Health Benefits:
Sun-Dried Tomatoes are very high in anti-oxidants; just one cup has 23 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and 16 percent of vitamin A. The Vitamin C in dried tomatoes helps your body absorb the high iron content as well. They are high in potassium which helps prevent and lower high blood pressure. These tomatoes are very high in dietary fiber compared to raw tomatoes.
* If you have diabetes be careful before adding sun dried tomatoes to your diet as they are high in natural sugars.
Fresh Basil has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A and is rich in zea-xanthin an anti-oxidant that helps protect age-related macular disease. It has a good amount of Iron and also helps to detoxify the liver. It contains phytochemicals that may lower cortisol, a hormone secreted when you’re stressed that causes weight gain, so add some fresh basil to you water or tea.
