With the 4th of July holiday weekend approaching, I am already in festivities preparation mode, planning out the delicious food we will be enjoying. Traditionally, we attend fireworks with friends on July 3rd. Everyone brings some food to share, and we picnic on the shore of the lake, catching up with everyone’s lives and their families while we wait for the fireworks to begin. This simple, quickly put together, and delicious mixed berry salad is perfect for just such a gathering or for a backyard cookout with a group.
Fresh strawberries and blueberries are tossed in a light balsamic vinaigrette. Fresh basil is then sprinkled over the berries. Balsamic vinegar brings its own unique, sweet-and-sour flavor to the berries. It enhances the natural sweetness of the berries while creating a complex and balanced taste. Basil contributes a sweet, yet pungent and slightly spicy flavor to the fruit salad, complementing the natural sweetness of the strawberries and blueberries.
This refreshing and summery fruit salad is best made right before serving. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two but the berries will begin to soften after a few hours in the refrigerator.
Balsamic & Basil Berry Salad
Balsamic & Basil Berry Salad (adapted from barefeetinthekitchen.com) Total Time Required:15 minutes, Makes: 8 – 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- 12 ounces fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar (optional)
- 8 basil leaves, very thinly sliced
Directions:
Rinse the strawberries and blueberries and pat dry. Cut the strawberries into bite sized pieces. Combine the strawberries and blueberries in a medium bowl.
Wash the fruit & cut the strawberries.
Drizzle the fruit with the vinegar and oil. Sprinkle the salt over the berries. Add the sugar if desired. Stir it all together gently to coat the fruit.
Add the vinegar, oil, and salt to the berries.
Sprinkle the salad with the basil and gently toss once more.
Gently toss in the basil.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour.
So simply delicious!
This fruit salad goes with everything! ~Linda
Balsamic & Basil Berry Salad (adapted from barefeetinthekitchen.com) Total Time Required:15 minutes, Makes: 8 – 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- 12 ounces fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar (optional)
- 8 basil leaves, very thinly sliced
Directions:
Rinse the strawberries and blueberries and pat dry. Cut the strawberries into bite sized pieces. Combine the strawberries and blueberries in a medium bowl. Drizzle the fruit with the vinegar and oil. Sprinkle the salt over the berries. Add the sugar if desired. Stir it all together gently to coat the fruit. Sprinkle the salad with the basil and gently toss once more. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour.