2 Easy Basil Recipes

Basil is the king of herbs. It adds an unmistakable essence to anything it’s added to, and pairs especially well with tomato-based dishes. That’s why we’re cooking up two recipes that include basil: Caprese salad and pizza.

Fresh basil is in season now, with fragrant bunches of it available at farmer’s markets and grocery stores. It’s an Unlimited Vegetable on the Nutrisystem program, and has great health benefits like anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, and can even aid eye health. Always be sure to add basil at the end of any preparation that involves heating the food.

Recipe #1: Caprese Salad

First, we’re going to make a Caprese salad with julienned basil. Pull some of the leaves off of your basil plant and layer them one of top of each other. Then roll the leaves up into a little stick. This makes it super simple to cut the basil! Make little slits all the way down the basil. To assemble the Caprese salad, toss your basil, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese together in a large bowl. Add some fresh cracked pepper, a little bit of salt, then just drizzle it with a little balsamic. Then toss the salad together one more time before enjoying.

Servings: 1

On Nutrisystem, counts as: 1 PowerFuel

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. fresh mozzarella
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil, julienned
• Drizzle of balsamic vinegar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Place the basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese into a bowl. Toss to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
• Toss again to combine.

Recipe #2: Basil Margherita Pizza

We’re also going to use the basil to top our Nutrisystem Margherita Pizza and give it a fresh kick. You’ll first prepare the pizza according to the package’s directions. Let the pizza cool for 1 to 2 minutes before eating. When it’s done, all you have to do is top the pizza with fresh basil. We’ve already tried basil julienned, but you can also use the fresh whole basil leaves.

Servings: 1

On Nutrisystem, counts as: 1 Nutrisystem Dinner

Ingredients:

• 1 Nutrisystem Margherita Pizza
• Fresh basil

Directions:

• Cook Nutrisystem Margherita Pizza according to the package directions. Let pizza cool 1-2 minutes.
• Top with fresh basil leaves.