Stacked Tomato Salad With Black Olive Tapenade And Basil Pesto Dressing Recipes

STACKED TOMATO SALAD WITH BLACK OLIVE TAPENADE AND SWEET BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Place a tomato slice on a plate and spread with some of the tapenade. Then place a slice of the mozzarella on top, add a few basil leaves, and finish with another tomato slice. You can add another layer to make Napoleon as high as you desire. Top with another small spoonful of the tapenade and then drizzle the Sweet Basil Dressing over the tomato and around the plate. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and repeat to make 4 to 6 plates.
• Combine olives, garlic, anchovies and pine nuts in a food processor and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Whisk together vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and then stir in the basil.

FRESH BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend the basil, oil, mayonnaise, vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

STACKED TOMATO SALAD WITH TAPENADE AND BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Place a tomato slice on a plate and spread with generous tblsp of tapenade. Top with cheese round. Repeat layering. Top each stack with a third tomato slice. Chop remaining tomato slices; place in bowl and toss with 2 tblsp of dressing. Drizzle the Sweet Basil Dressing over the tomato stack and around the plate. Garnish with chop tomatoes and a sprig of fresh basil. **For Jamie's shower I did-- tomato + tapenade + cheese, repeat. Over the tops of the cheese I spooned the chopped tomato mixture. They looked and tasted great!

STACKED TOMATO SALAD WITH TAPENADE AND BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• For tapenade: Blend olives, garlic, anchovie, and nuts in processor until almost smooth. With machine running, add oil; process until blended. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to a bowl; cover and chill.) For dressing: Whisk vinegar, honey and mustard in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Stir in basil. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.) For salad: Place one tomato slice on each of 8 plates. Spread each with generous tablespoon tapenade; top with cheese round. Repeat layering. Top each stack with third tomato slice. Chop remaining tomato slices; place in bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons dressing. Spoon some dressing over each stack, and spoon chopped tomatoes alongside.