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It's party time at The Café (wooo hooo!), and we're so excited. Can you tell? The celebration is for .... our little Emery Kate, who turned one year old this week. Little did we know that an ordinary day last March would bring such an extraordinary little blessing into our lives. We're having a birthday party for her on Saturday, and have invited family and friends.
We've been busy as little bees this week; cooking, cleaning and tidying up The Café. A party is such a wonderful motivation to get things in order, isn't it? And this part of the year is the perfect time to plan a festivity to welcome spring and chase away the winter doldrums. I tend to be a bit negligent about things around the house in the cold months, but the thought of Spring gets me organizing, cleaning out drawers and spiffing things up.
Our party for Emery is a brunch, as we have family that will be traveling from out of town. We'll be sharing more fun details in the days ahead (even a few really cool craft/decorating ideas), but I wanted to give you a sneak preview of the party with a delicious salad dressing we'll be serving at the this special event. I wanted something light and spring-like, so I tried a few concoctions before making the final decision on this delightful Strawberry, Grapefruit and Sweet Basil Vinaigrette.
It's sweet, tangy, fresh and bursting with bright flavor. It pairs well with so many ingredients. This dressing is delightful with baby spinach, strawberries, red onions and shredded roasted chicken breast (our dinner tonight). It would also be wonderful with ribbons of Romaine, diced mango, thinly sliced English cucumber and crumbled Gorgonzola. I'm also imagining it drizzled over grilled boneless chicken breast - delish! I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture; it's super versatile.
I've got a fun, Spring salad planned for the party, but that's a story (post) for another day. In the meantime, be sure to whip up a batch of this wonderful dressing - it won't take more than 10 minutes, and I think you'll see why we're so crazy about it. Stay tuned for more fun celebration ideas and recipes.
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Sweet Basil Vinaigrette with Strawberry and Grapefruit
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fresh grapefruit juice, from 1 fresh grapefruit
- 2 teaspoon grapefruit zest, finely zested
- 2 cups sliced, fresh strawberries
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper, a generous grind
Instructions
- Place grapefruit juice a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, uncovered, until mixture is reduced to about ⅓ cup, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- When grapefruit juice has cooled, place in blender with zest, strawberries, garlic honey, rice vinegar and lime juice. Mix until well combined then transfer to a medium size jar and add oil in a slow, thin stream whisking continuously with a small whisk or a fork. Add chopped basil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper and stir. Keeps well for several days in the refrigerator.
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Hi,
My husband with the medication he has to take can’t have grapefruit anymore, so I sub with lemon juice and used this dressing over my spinach salad. Strawberries. Pecan and feta cheese….grilled salmon on the side….wonderful. Thanks for the recipe.
That's awesome, Vivian! You're good at improvising! Sounds like a wonderful salad!
Was wondering if you strain the pulp from the grapefruit? I did when I made it and was curious if you strain it? So good!
Thanks
Hi Yolanda, I don't strain it. I don't think you'd see a difference. Just saves a little time.
Chris thanks so much, you were absolutely right! Vinaigrette was thicker by adding the oil in the blender but still delicious! I made it again without adding the oil in the better and prefer it that way. Thanks for the tip. Getting ready to try the Sweet Basil Vinaigrette!
Thanks
Yolanda
Hi Chris,
Can't wait to make this! Do you think I could and the oil in a stream on the blender?
Thanks!
Hi Yolanda, you definitely can do that but the dressing will be more creamy and a lighter pink in color. The taste should be the same though!
Hello Chris!
I just made the dressing and.........i want to drink it!!!
It's delicious!!!!!
I would love to post it in my blog if it is ok with you!
Thank you!
Thank you Peps, of course you can post it!
What a sweet photo of your sweet little one! The years pass quickly, don't they?
Ah... this dressing! I love all the flavors in it and it just screams spring. Which I'm fully embracing!! Happy birthday to the little one!!
Thanks so much for great spring recipe! My salad dressings were starting to get as old as this interminable winter, this was just the fix! It was delicious!
Thanks for letting me know Stephanie, I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
Love your recipes, this one is easy and seems delicious.
How long do you think it could last at the refrigerator.?.
Tons of happiness to the beautiful baby girl.!
This will last 3-4 days without any problem, maybe longer but I haven't tried it.
Beautiful dressing for a perfect birthday brunch for a beautiful and perfect little girl,
I love fruity vinaigrettes like this one -- a perfect way to brighten any salad. And the photo of that baby girl is beautiful!
I love this vinaigrette for spring salads, so pretty! Happy Birthday to Emery! 🙂
Cute baby:) Delicious vinaigrette with strawberry.
Time flies when you're having fun! Hard to believe it's been a year already since Emery was born. Looking forward to hearing about the party and trying this dressing. My girls are big basil fans and I know they will love it.
What a lovely salad dressing. I can't wait to see the cake that the birthday girl gets. 🙂
Chris, the birthday party for sweet Emery Kate sounds like a lot of fun - how nice to celebarte her first birthday with family and friends. The brunch sounds like a perfect setting to serve this delicious vinaigrette at. The recipe sounds fabulous and looks so bright and fresh and colorful - perfect for serving to a crowd and with the new fresh spring greens and veg!
Looking forward to upcoming posts about the party and all the very best to the cute birthdy girl!
Love homemade salad dressings - they are so refreshing and natural! This one look so delicious - love the color!
Oh Chris, this has my name all over it! Congratulations on the birthday, I can't wait to read all about the party! Your photos are truly stunning, I'm sharing, pinning, and wishing I had this here with me today!
Happy Happy Birthday to sweet Emery!! You’re so right about parties being great motivators to get things done! Your vinaigrette sounds wonderful…so fresh and spring like!
the récipe look amazing! and Emery is cute, happy birthday to her!!
Oh my!! She is so beautiful!! Happy birthday to Emery!! And this dressing look AMAZING!!! So healthy and delicious! and your pictures of it are just so beautiful as well!
😉
The vinaigrette looks so refreshing and tasty, Chris.
There is no way she's one already?! Where did the year go?! Have a wonderful party little one. With your Grammy hosting I know it will be spectacular!
Wishing a very happy birthday to little Emery...This vinaigrette sounds divine, Chris!
Congratulations...and Happy Birthday to your beautiful and sweet Emery! I love the pretty colored strawberry vinaigrette with the fresh basil, and it looks so pretty, and totally inviting!
Happy Birthday^^ And what stunning dressing is this? amazing!!
Gorgeous!!! I've been loving grapefruit recently so I'm excited to give this a whirl. Also looking forward to celebrating sweet Emery. Hip hip Hooray!!!
That sweet pretty baby face is already a year old. How can that be possible? Can't wait to see how pretty she os now when you post more pics. Hint Hint!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMERY!!!
I love grapefruit, it's always nice to find new ways to use it:@)
Yum! Looks absolutely delicious!!
Could I substitute orange juice for the grapefruit? Grapefruit can affect one of my medicines..
Carolyn, I know there are several medications that don't do well with grapefruit. I think it would be fantastic with orange juice. I love the strawberry and orange combination, they pair beautifully!
This recipe looks absolutely delicious! And little Emery Kate is beautiful! Happy Birthday to her. I will be trying this recipe soon...sounds wonderful!
Can a dressing be described as stunningly beautiful? I think so! Chris, this special vinaigrette is just perfect to celebrate spring's arrival a bit early. I'm with you about getting clean and organized at home right now. 🙂 Cannot wait to try this refreshing salad dressing! Thanks for sharing. Pinning tonight!
Oh, happy, happy birthday to sweet little Emery! I think you need to slip a few 'stop-grow' pills into her piece of cake though, anything to make her stay the cute little package she is now. I wish I had thought to do it for Dudette when she was a chubby-legged, one year-old. I love this dressing, Chris. It's so light and refreshing, perfect for our finally-arriving spring.
Love this recipe! All the best to little Emery!
We have a new computer..not only does she look beautiful but if possible all yours shots are even more gorgeous...
Have a fun fun week..darling blessing that she is♥
A year old already?! Wow - hard to believe. Where does the time go. While you're getting in the mood for spring cleaning - keep us in mind if you are looking for something to do! Love this dressing - it is lovely!
I can't wait for strawberry season here.
I gasp at Emery's photo. She is perfection. Happy Birthday little girl.
Happy Birthday to Emery! Glad you invited all of us to the party. 😉 Love this salad dressing -- so perfect for this time of the year. Thanks.
definitely will be adding to our list of salad dressings!
Sounds wonderful, but I am confused about the "sweet basil" in the name. It doesn't appear in ingredients or directions.
Thanks so much, that a crucial part of the recipe, I fixed it. I appreciate your attentiveness, do you need a job as an editor? 🙂
I was looking at it closely because I can't wait to make it! I have a salad I like with greens, strawberries, toasted pecans and blue cheese and I thought it would be delicious with this dressing. Really love your blog. The recipes and the gorgeous photos make my mouth water as I sit at my desk.