This is a print preview of "Romaine Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing" recipe.

Romaine Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing Recipe
by John Spottiswood

Romaine Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing

The crisp inner leaves of romaine lettuce goes wonderfully with this light and creamy basil-infused dressing. We served the same dressing the following night with a more traditional mixed green salad with lettuce, avocado, tomato and cucumber, and that was delicious too. If you're looking for a tasty alternative to a caesar dressing, give this a try! I've made a lot of salad dressings, and this is one of my few unqualified successes.

Rating: 4.9/5
Avg. 4.9/5 7 votes
Prep time: United States American
  Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 5 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons aged Spanish sherry vinegar or other wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped shallots or onions
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 3 hearts of romaine lettuce or whole heads

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients (other than the romaine) in a blender and blend to a smooth consistency. Taste and adjust salt to taste.
  2. If you have only whole heads of romaine, remove the dark
  3. green, coarse outer leaves, saving them for another use, leaving the lighter colored, crisp ones at the core for the salad. Trim and discard the core. Figuring six to eight medium leaves per person, separate enough of the leaves. Wash and dry them well.
  4. Arrange the leaves slightly overlapping on plates, stir the dressing to
  5. recombine if it has separated, and drizzle it over the lettuce. Grind a little pepper over the top of each salad and serve right away.
  6. Alternatively, for a less dramatic presentation, cut leaves into thirds, place in a large salad bowl, and mix with dressing. Then serve. Either way the dressing is delicious!