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June 21, 2011

Organic, Real Food on a Budget – Caprese Salad with Basil Pesto

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I love using fresh herbs to make caprese salad with basil pesto.

Plants don’t really grow for me. I’m not a great gardener. I wish I was. Moving around every couple of years doesn’t help because once I finally figure out what grows in that specific region, we pick up and move. One thing I do grow, despite my black thumb, is herbs. I have a few pots and each year in early summer I plant basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, mint, and cilantro. Each little plant costs about $2 (the same price I’d pay in the store for a few sprigs) and I have herbs for about six months out of the year. If you use herbs often in your cooking, growing your own can save you quite a bit of money at the grocery store.

One of my favorite things to make with fresh herbs is pesto. Basil is the most popular, but I like to change it up with chard, kale, olives, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes. I like to get creative for summer picnics by bringing “salad in a jar.” Pair this light, flavorful salad with some fruit, cured meat, and something bubbly and you’ve got a recipe for an enjoyable time with nature, even if you can’t grow your own garden.

For some gardening help, check out this excellent post:

How to Grow Your Own Indoor Culinary Herb Garden by Gourmande in the Kitchen

Serves: Serves 4

Caprese Salad with Basil Pesto

You can also make this salad in a large bowl instead of individual jars.

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Ingredients

    For the Pesto:
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • For Salad:
  • 8 ounces penne pasta (whole wheat or rice pasta), cooked, drained and cooled
  • 16 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, cubed
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Place the basil, walnut, cheese, garlic and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. With processor on, slowly add olive oil. Adjust salt to taste.
  2. Divide pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil into 4 bowls or jars. Divide pesto evenly among jars. Shake or toss salad before serving.
7.8.1.2
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https://deliciouslyorganic.net/organic-real-food-on-a-budget-caprese-salad-with-basil-pesto/
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Filed Under: Egg-Free, Gluten Free Recipes, Sides and Salads, Uncategorized | 23 Comments

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23 Comments

  1. marla {family fresh cooking}

    June 21, 2011 at 7:18 am

    Fun twist to serve up salad in a jar. As far as green thumb(s) not me either ;)
    to marla {family fresh cooking}" aria-label='Reply to this comment to marla {family fresh cooking}'>Reply to this comment
  2. Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media]

    June 21, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I would pack a salad in a jar for lunch everyday! It's so easy. I'll certainly work on that. Inspiring post!
    to Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media]" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media]'>Reply to this comment
  3. Nancy@acommunaltable

    June 21, 2011 at 8:39 am

    Such a great salad for picnics and putting it in a jar is the perfect way to transport it!
    to Nancy@acommunaltable" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Nancy@acommunaltable'>Reply to this comment
  4. Lucy Lean

    June 21, 2011 at 9:34 am

    This is coming with us to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night for the Grease sing-a-long! Genius! I like to use pine nuts instead of walnuts in my pesto but will give this a try.
    to Lucy Lean" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Lucy Lean'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 23, 2011 at 5:59 am

      A Grease sing-a-long!? Oh, if we weren't out-of-town I'd totally go to that. Have fun!!
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  5. the urban baker

    June 21, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Nothing says summer better than pesto on everything!! This is such an incredibly adorable idea. Wish I could pull this off for Eli's bar mitzvah - however 275 jars - seems a bit extravagant! x
    to the urban baker" aria-label='Reply to this comment to the urban baker'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 23, 2011 at 5:59 am

      Haha...Yes, all those jars might be a bit much! :) How much would that even cost? I don't want to know. . .
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  6. Katrina

    June 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Yum! This is a fantastic idea. Your basil looks perfect. Great recipe!
    to Katrina" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Katrina'>Reply to this comment
  7. Stancie

    June 21, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    This looks amazing! I love Caprese salad! Thanks for sharing your recipe :)
    to Stancie" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Stancie'>Reply to this comment
  8. Gaby

    June 21, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    love these cute little caprese salads! I think a beach picnic with these is in order soon!
    to Gaby" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Gaby'>Reply to this comment
  9. Mairi @ Toast

    June 21, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Beautiful looking herbs! And a delicious salad...caprese one of life's simple pleasures, a favourite of mine.
    to Mairi @ Toast" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Mairi @ Toast'>Reply to this comment
  10. Georgia Pellegrini

    June 21, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    I would love to pack a lunch for myself this way, it looks so inspiring. Way better than plastic. And beautiful too. Thanks for such a great idea!
    to Georgia Pellegrini" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Georgia Pellegrini'>Reply to this comment
  11. Lynda@Me and My Pink Mixer

    June 22, 2011 at 6:13 am

    Love this idea! I have basil growing in a pot on my deck and can't wait to make these for my next cookout! Where did you find the wooden forks and jars?
    to Lynda@Me and My Pink Mixer" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Lynda@Me and My Pink Mixer'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 22, 2011 at 7:17 am

      I got the jars at Sur La Table and the forks at Whole Foods.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  12. Karen

    June 22, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I'm going to a BBQ this weekend and this one is coming along for the ride. Awesome! You're so creative!
    to Karen" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Karen'>Reply to this comment
  13. Kristen

    June 22, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    Such a gorgeous, garden fresh recipe!
    to Kristen" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Kristen'>Reply to this comment
  14. Andrea

    June 9, 2013 at 12:32 am

    How delicious that sounds! I'd be omitting the pasta for something gluten free... hmm what to use?
    to Andrea" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Andrea'>Reply to this comment
  15. Maryea

    May 30, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    Basil is my favorite! Cannot wait to try this!
    to Maryea" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Maryea'>Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Carrie Vitt says:
    June 21, 2011 at 1:42 pm
    [New Post] Caprese Salad with Basil Pesto: http://su.pr/1h4snU #organic #realfood #glutenfree #gf #recipe
    to Carrie Vitt" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carrie Vitt'>Reply to this comment
  2. Favorite Herbs, Spices, Seasonings: Recipes, Cooking and French Fries — Family Fresh Cooking says:
    July 3, 2011 at 7:41 am
    [...] Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto Deliciously Organic [...]
    to Favorite Herbs, Spices, Seasonings: Recipes, Cooking and French Fries — Family Fresh Cooking" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Favorite Herbs, Spices, Seasonings: Recipes, Cooking and French Fries — Family Fresh Cooking'>Reply to this comment
  3. 15 Tips for Buying Organic on a Budget says:
    August 4, 2011 at 8:21 am
    [...] Grow your own herbs. [...]
    to 15 Tips for Buying Organic on a Budget" aria-label='Reply to this comment to 15 Tips for Buying Organic on a Budget'>Reply to this comment
  4. 15 Tips for Buying Organic, Real food on a Budget | Fit Food Coach says:
    August 17, 2011 at 2:50 pm
    [...] Grow your own herbs. [...]
    to 15 Tips for Buying Organic, Real food on a Budget | Fit Food Coach" aria-label='Reply to this comment to 15 Tips for Buying Organic, Real food on a Budget | Fit Food Coach'>Reply to this comment
  5. Back to School Lunch Ideas and No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies says:
    August 31, 2011 at 5:53 am
    [...] and place it in a small paper bag (to avoid sogginess) and it’s a great treat for the kids. Caprese Salad - We prefer to eat this at room temperature. Homemade Beef Jerky Pizza Roll-ups – Spread [...]
    to Back to School Lunch Ideas and No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Back to School Lunch Ideas and No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies'>Reply to this comment

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