Healthy Salads Panama City FL

As with yesterday's recipe, fresh basil complements its costars. Yesterday, it was Thai basil, chosen for its mint and licorice flavors. Today, we're using sweet basil (purple or green), the "regular" kind used in Italian and some Southeast Asian cuisines.

St. Andrews Waterfront Market
(850) 872-7208
3151 West 10th Street (U.S. hw 98, turn south on Beck Ave., then turn right
Panama City, FL
Zen Garden Market
(850) 234-1651
707 Richard Jackson Blvd.
Panama City Beach, FL
Eau Gallie Farmers Market
(321) 917-0721
Corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and Highland Avenue
Melbourne, FL
Okaloosa County Farmers Market
(850) 689-5850, (850) 689-5727
1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard; Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Hillcrest Plaintation Growers
(352) 591-2079
Micanopy, FL
Bay County Farmers Market
(850) 769-2645, (850) 785-0524
2230 East 15th Street; at the Fairgrounds
Panama City, FL
Mr. Cannoli!
(727) 723-3202
P.O. Box 15035
Clearwater, FL
Sweet Wheat, Inc.
(888) 227-9338
527 Cleveland St.
Clearwater, FL
City Island Farmers Market
(386) 671-3272
Jackie Robinson Stadium parking lot in City Island
Daytona Beach, FL
Bradenton Old Main Street Market
(941) 322-2446
Old Main Street; between Manatee Avenue and Barcarrota Blvd.
Bradenton, FL
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provided by: Organic Food and Green Living

Fresh Mozzarella Watermelon Salad with Basil

Feta cheese added pizzazz to yesterday’s recipe for Watermelon Salad with Thai Basil and Feta . Today, milder mozzarella takes center stage in our second featured organic watermelon salad.

As with yesterday’s recipe, fresh basil complements its costars. Yesterday, it was Thai basil, chosen for its mint and licorice flavors. Today, we’re using sweet basil (purple or green), the “regular” kind used in Italian and some Southeast Asian cuisines.

Other types of basil include:

  1. Lemon basil, whose citrus notes complement African and Southern Asian dishes
  2. Holy basil, popular in Thai meat dishes (but different from Thai basil)
  3. African blue basil, known for its oddly camphor-like scent; often used in salads

Use a melon baller , readily available at supermarkets and mass merchandisers, to create perfectly round melon balls.

Fresh Mozzarella Watermelon Salad with Basil

Makes 6 to 8 servings

2 cups seeded small watermelon balls
2 cups fresh mozzarella pieces
1 cup freshly chopped sweet basil (purple or green)
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Assorted baby greens (lettuces)
8 pieces crostini (lightly toasted bread)
Balsamic vinegar, as desired

  1. Toss together the watermelon, mozzarella, basil, scallions and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Serve over a bed of baby greens, with crostini on the side.
  3. Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over the top, if desired.

Recipe an...

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Fresh Organic Basil Oil View More
Written by Laura Klein   

Ingredients:

1 cup packed fresh organic basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt plus 1/4 cup of salt for every quart of water used to blanch the basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil

Method:

Bring large pot of water to a boil with salt according to the above proportions. Blanch the basil leaves for one minute in boiling water (use a strainer for ease of removal from the water). Remove leaves from water, drain well and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. Place the basil leaves in the blender with 1/4 teaspoon salt and oil and blend until smooth.

Remove the puree and store in a glass container and refrigerate for at least one day to intensify the color. Strain oil through a fine chinois when ready to use. For ease of use put into a small plastic squeeze bottle for garnishing dishes.

Chef's note: A chinois is a fine mesh sieve that you use to pass liquids through to strain. This puree can be stored for up to one week. Once the oil is strained, it will begin to discolor in about two days. You can also store the oil in the freezer.

Written by Laura Klein    ...