Traditional Recipes

• Basil is more often associated with Italian cooking than Greek cooking, although it is used throughout the Mediterranean region. Traditional recipes for Greek salad dressing call for mint, parsley or oregano as seasonings, combined with olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice. For a traditional flavor, opt for parsley or mint, rather than basil. Fresh mint or parsley is preferable to dried.

Preferences

• Even though basil isn't the most common herb used in seasoning Greek salad dressing, there's no rule that says you can't use it. Fresh basil has an aromatic, clean flavor and a crisp fragrance that many people love. It's available year-round in the grocery store or you can grow it easily in your outdoor garden or on a sunny windowsill. Sow the seeds after the last expected frost in well-draining soil and keep the soil slightly moist. If you have basil in abundance and prefer its flavor to parsley or mint, by all means substitute it.

Method

• To use fresh basil in a Greek salad, whisk together the vinegar and oil until the two thicken and emulsify. Gently stir in fresh basil at this point. Wash a few unblemished basil leaves and pat them dry. You'll probably need no more than 2 tablespoons to add sufficient flavor. The basil can be diced or cut in thin strips. Use a sharp knife and add the basil at the last minute. Fresh basil darkens quickly and is highly perishable once cut. Wrap any excess basil in paper towels and place it in a perforated plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator and use it within three days.

Other Ingredients

• In addition to a zesty salad dressing, no Greek salad would be complete without feta cheese, red onions, olives, cucumbers and tomatoes. Use crisp romaine lettuce and season the salad with plenty of salt and black pepper. You can also add grilled chicken or fish for a main-dish salad. To make the dish ahead of time, wash the lettuce and cut up the vegetables. Whisk together the salad dressing ingredients. Chill the salad, vegetables and salad dressing separately and combine them just before serving for the crispest, freshest salad.