Mediterranean Diet Friendly Basil-Pesto Endive Salad
Fresh basil, good olive oil, lemon, and garlic — this salad is built almost entirely from ingredients that feel right at home along the Mediterranean coast. The homemade pesto comes together in under a minute in a food processor, and because it skips the cheese and pine nuts entirely, it stays light and herb-forward in a way that really lets the greens shine. Belgian endive leaves do double duty here, acting as both the vessel and the vegetable — their gentle bitterness is a perfect counterpoint to the bright, garlicky pesto spooned along each leaf. Thinly sliced radishes add a satisfying crunch and a pop of color, while fresh parsley and lemon zest keep everything tasting clean and alive. This is the kind of dish that looks far more impressive than the effort it requires, making it ideal for a dinner party starter or a light lunch you actually feel good about. Every component — the olive oil, the fresh herbs, the citrus — earns its place on the plate and aligns beautifully with the whole-food, plant-forward philosophy that makes this way of eating so appealing.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 oz fresh basil leaves (about 2 packed cups)
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For the salad
- 3 medium heads belgian endive (about 12 oz total)
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- flaky sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Combine the basil leaves, garlic, lemon juice, and fine sea salt in a food processor. Pulse 6–8 times until the basil is roughly chopped and the garlic is minced.
- 2
With the processor running, stream in the olive oil in a slow, steady pour until the pesto is smooth and bright green, about 20–30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice as needed.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!