Tomato Basil Garlic Butter Sauce (Paleo, Gluten-Free)
Experience the essence of summer with this delightful Tomato Basil Garlic Butter Sauce. Bursting with fresh flavors, this simple yet elegant sauce is perfect for adding a gourmet touch to your favorite pasta, fish, or chicken dishes. Plus, it's Paleo and gluten-free, making it a healthy choice for everyone!
Ingredients:
1 cup cherry tomatoes (preferably organic)
Small handful of fresh basil leaves (about 20 leaves)
Zest of one lemon (preferably organic)
1-2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (preferably organic)
2-3 fresh garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
3 tablespoons butter (preferably grass-fed)
¼ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Preparation Steps:
Prepare Ingredients:
Wash and Dry: Rinse the cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and lemon. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
Slice Tomatoes: On a cutting board, slice the cherry tomatoes in half and set them aside.
Mince Garlic: Finely mince the garlic cloves using a chef’s knife or a coarse microplane grater and set aside.
Zest and Juice Lemon: Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, making sure to only zest the yellow part of the peel. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice into a small bowl.
Cook the Sauce:
Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over low heat, add the butter and allow it to melt, which should take about 1 minute.
Combine Ingredients: Increase the heat to medium and add the sliced cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the melted butter.
Cook: Stir the mixture and cook for about 5 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes begin to break down.
Finish the Sauce:
Add Basil: Add the whole basil leaves to the saucepan. Stir several times until the basil leaves have slightly wilted into the sauce.
Season: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Season with sea salt and, if desired, freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
Serve:
Immediate Serving: Serve the sauce immediately over your favorite pasta, or use it as a flavorful topping for fish or chicken.
Tips for Perfect Sauce:
Tomatoes: Use the freshest cherry tomatoes you can find for the best flavor.
Basil: Add the basil leaves at the end of the cooking process to maintain their vibrant color and fresh taste.
Butter: Grass-fed butter adds a richer flavor and more health benefits compared to regular butter.
Nutritional Benefits:
This Tomato Basil Garlic Butter Sauce not only enhances the taste of your dishes but also comes with several health benefits:
Cherry Tomatoes: Packed with antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and lycopene.
Basil: Contains essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Lemon: Rich in vitamin C and aids in digestion.
Garlic: Known for its immune-boosting properties and heart health benefits.
Butter: Grass-fed butter provides healthy fats and is a good source of vitamin A and butyrate.
This sauce is a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dish for guests, this Tomato Basil Garlic Butter Sauce is sure to please. Enjoy the vibrant flavors of summer in every bite!
