This is the fourth and last recipe in a series of meals that I put together using a minimum number of ingredients. I know you might consider pasta and strawberries to be an odd mix but if you look around google you’ll see that folks have been using these two ingredients quite often and they seem to be very popular.
My friend, Michelle, over at Healthy Recipe Ecstasy, made an amazing Strawberry Pasta with Pecorino last summer and I couldn’t believe how delicious it was! So be adventurous and start mixing these delicious berries with pasta!
I promised to introduce you to shiso and here it is! I saw this at Barrie Hill Farms and had to take out my phone and google it before I took it home just to be sure I knew I could do something with it. It’s such a lovely looking plant that I knew it would make a great addition to any number of meals.
Shiso is an easy to grow herb in the mint family and is planted in the spring and harvested in the summer and fall. Originally from Japan, it was brought to North America in the late 1800’s and has since naturalized and grows wild in pastures in many southeastern states.
Shiso has two varieties – green leaved and red leaved – and can be used in many diverse ways. Why not try:
- Toss the leaves in a pot of green tea
- Use the green leaf to serve up wasabi with sushi
- In scrambled eggs
- Whole leaves can be used with shrimp dishes
- Red leaves can be used with pickled plums or eggplant
- Julienne the leaves and scatter on salads
- Used to make pesto (my next dish!)
It’s uses are only limited by your imagination!
This salad has just a few ingredients so the shiso is perfect with it’s powerful flavor. For the readers who do a lot of gardening, you might want to try this next spring because it’s very easy to grow and you’ll love experimenting with it.
You know I love my crunch so some toasted sunflower seeds were a perfect addition. I think walnuts would be great as well.
Here’s the links to the 3 other dishes that I made with the same ingredients. Adding different fresh herbs and veggies can open up your options and save you money at the same time. If you’ve got some tips to stretch your grocery dollars, I’d love it if you’d share them with us. Cheers!
Balsamic Chicken with Strawberries, Basil and Feta Cheese
Spinach Salad with Roast Chicken, Strawberries, Watermelon and Feta
- 2 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta. Cooked, rinsed and cooled.
- 8 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup shisho, slivered
- 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
- DRESSING
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Combine first 6 ingredients, tossing gently.
- Combine dressing ingredients, drizzle over salad and mix until ingredients are coated. Serve.
14 Comments
GiGi Eats
July 8, 2015 at 11:41 pmStrawberries and Pasta! Now that is definitely a NEW combo I have not heard of!!! I will take your word for it! ha ha.
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Robyn
July 9, 2015 at 7:57 amLOL, You have to try it, GiGi – it’s a delicious surprise!
Robyn recently posted…Strawberry Basil and Shiso Pasta Salad
Anita Rivera
July 9, 2015 at 5:47 amGood morning, Robyn! I love recipes with the minimum of ingredients so that the fullness of flavor can be enjoyed. It’s a trick to find combinations that actually work together and not against each other! Strawberries have been a featured goodie lately here, and I am IMPRESSED with how you are showing us how these gems can be used…..I would have NEVER THOUGHT of pairing then up with pasta and an herb!
There are so many fun recipes to try. HEY, do you ever grow basil in a pot? I had a great basil plant and one hail storm bruised it up, but it seemed to stay OK….I’ve been using the leaves for my pesto, but now, it’s looking pretty bad! I am thinking that our cooler than normal summer is not allowing it to bounce back as it should…OH WELL!
Enjoying any boating? Oh the water, how I miss the beach, but the lakes have been stunning. Enjoy your Thursday my friend! Anita
Robyn
July 9, 2015 at 8:01 amHa! Hi Anita! I knew a lot of people would be surprised by this recipe and some will not like it at all but that’s ok because I really want to share new ideas here and hopefully some will catch on.
I haven’t put my basil pots outside this year – it’s just been too cold, as you say. I’ve been making pesto though, and even made it with the shiso!
No boating! No time for anything it seems but I hope that will all change at the end of the month 🙂
Hope your day is fabulous, sweet lady!
Robyn recently posted…Strawberry Basil and Shiso Pasta Salad
Bam's Kitchen
July 9, 2015 at 8:11 amI love shisho leaves! I think they kind of taste between a basil and mint leaf combined. Do you remember the shrimp boat with pickled relish I made? Those shrimp were on a shisho leaves… Well maybe you don’t remember the shisho but I know you remembered the shrimp… LOL I love this dish so simple and so easy to make. This would be perfect for packed lunches! Your photos a so beautiful, just stunning. I can’t wait to pin, share and send smoke signals with them… Wishing you a super weekend!
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Framboise Osmanthus Rose Vinaigrette
Robyn
July 9, 2015 at 12:09 pmI knew that you would know about shiso, Bobbi! And now I do remember them with the shrimp dish, lol. Thanks for the sweet comments. Your photos of your latest dish need to be published in a magazine. I was awestruck!
Take care!
Robyn recently posted…Strawberry Basil and Shiso Pasta Salad
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
July 9, 2015 at 12:11 pmYeah for strawberries and pasta!! But I’ve never heard of shisho….! I’ll have to check that out!
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy recently posted…Roasted Garlic and Chive Cauliflower Mash (GF, DF, V, Paleo)
Linda
July 9, 2015 at 4:17 pmWhat a surprise…pasta and strawberries. who knew? Shiso is new to me, but something minty sounds lovely with strawberries. Leave it to you for some new recipes and combos. Much love to you from W.W. xo
sue
July 10, 2015 at 11:39 pmTo me it seems like a strange combo strawberries, basil and pasta but it looks delicious. #FoodandFitnessFriday
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Marla
July 11, 2015 at 4:28 pmHi Robyn,
I always look forward to see what new recipes you come up with and you never fail me with something that sounds tasty and so healthy. This is a unique recipe combining strawberries and pasta but sounds great. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Marla
July 11, 2015 at 4:37 pmHi Robyn,
My first comment for some reason didn’t take so here I go again. I always look forward to seeing what interesting new recipes your going to post and I never am disappointed. Strawberries and pasta are an unique combination but it sure sounds tasty to me. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #96 – Sharing Good Health
Gourmet Getaways
July 12, 2015 at 8:52 amWhat a great experiment this is! Never thought strawberries would be involved in a healthy pasta this way :). The ingredients are well chosen, including the Shiso. Excellent idea! 5 stars 🙂
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
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Jebbica
July 12, 2015 at 10:27 amAnother extremely colorful and yummy-looking recipe! Thanks so much for sharing on #FoodandFitnessFriday!
Jebbica recently posted…Food & Fitness Friday: 07-10-2015
Stephanie
July 16, 2015 at 11:12 amI am loving these recipes with fresh strawberries! I was at the grocery store yesterday and just had to get some more 🙂
Thanks for sharing your sweetness with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you, Robyn!