Marjoram-Basil Dressing

For those of you who don't have the time to wiki "marjoram", I did it for you. I was looking for oregano yesterday at Whole Foods (to make beef & zucchini meatballs), picked up a bunch, smelled it, and red the tag: marjoram. Hmm... smells like oregano, looks like oregano, I'm gonna get it. 

Wikipedia says that oregano and marjoram are synonymous, which is why my clever little nose got confused and assumed Whole Foods was mismarking their herbs.  I always think an exotic name either encourages people to spend more on something or totally discourages them from trying it. Its like "haricot vert" vs "string beans": to you tell me which ones makes you drop the dough at a restaurant. duh.

So here's a simple recipe with marjoram, or oregano, whichever you chose to drop your dough on:

Fresh basil, 6-7 big leaves

Fresh marjoram or oregano, 10-12 small leaves

A small, freshly picked lemon from the tree outside (a small but notable pleasure of mine since moving to California, actually introduced to me early while watching Cher pick a lemon through an open window in Clueless)

Organic extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons

Hawaiian sea salt (if your best friend's aunt doesn't live in Hawaii and make homemade seasalt for fun, you might have to get store-bought salt), JUST A TINY PINCH

Freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon

Optional: Dijon mustard, nonfat plain Greek yogurt

I have always wanted a mortar and pestle, so here's a great chance to use it. Chop the herbs and grind with the pestle in olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice and churn more. Its really fun, I promise. If you don't have a mortar and pestle you can totally use a a fork in a bowl. 

Once its nice and muddled, add about a teaspoon of Dijon and a teaspoon of Greek yogurt, if you'd like.  This recipe makes about 2-3 tablespoons of dressing, so augment the proportions if you want to make a delicious fish or chicken marinade, pasta or potato salad dressing, or larger salad for a group.  Another interesting fact about marjoram/oregano is that in Greece and Turkey its a symbol of joy, so share with friends and spread joy!