Easy Recipe Boon to Basil Growers

A secret weapon is my "Four Ingredient Cooking" book. Here's a great solution for using up some of that basil that is growing like gangbusters in your garden. It's tasty and takes less than 10 minutes to make. I made it for the BTA BBQ tonight.

Tomato, Bean, and Fried Basil Salad

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
14-ounce can mixed beans, drained and rinsed

1. Reserve a third of the basil leaves for garnish, then tear the remainder into pieces. Pour the olive oil into a small pan. Add the torn basil and heat gently for 1 minute, until the basil sizzles and begins to color.

2. Place the halved cherry tomatoes and beans in a bowl. Pour in the basil oil and add a little salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss the ingredients together gently, cover, and marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Serve the salad sprinkled with the remaining basil leaves.