Asked by: Kattie Seyfried
food and drink non alcoholic beverages

What foods can I use basil in?

22
As a Food
  • Classic Pesto. One of the best known sweet basil based recipes, pesto alla Genovese is fantastic on pasta, pizza and salads, or served with meat or fish.
  • Dressings and Marinades.
  • Vinegars and Oils.
  • Herbal Butter.
  • Basil Salt.
  • Sauces and Soups.
  • Salads and Sandwiches.
  • Breads and Pastas.


In this way, what do I do with all this basil?

10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil

  1. Pesto.
  2. Infused Oil.
  3. Appetizers.
  4. Vegetable Soups.
  5. Salads.
  6. Pizza.
  7. Fish & Seafood Dishes.
  8. Sides.

Beside above, what should I use basil for? The most common use of basil is for cooking, such as in tomato sauce, pesto, or vinegars. But it also can be sprinkled over salads and sliced tomatoes, either whole or chopped. Actually, don't chop the leaves, but tear them instead for the most flavor.

Also asked, what can I do with too much fresh basil?

Even when you buy fresh basil there is too much of it. I pinch off all the leaves and put them in a sealed plastic container in the freezer. When I make a sauce from tomatoes I take a handful of frozen basil leaves and quickly crush them. They shatter into small pieces which I drop in my sauce.

Can I freeze basil leaves whole?

How to Freeze Basil: To preserve some of the appealing green color when freezing whole leaves, steam them, pat dry and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, the leaves can be transferred to a freezer bag (get as much air out of the bag as possible) and stored for about 6 months.

Related Question Answers

Yuzhen Baurenschmidt

Professional

Is Basil good for weight loss?

Basil for weight loss: Basil leaves help to lose weight by boosting the metabolism of the body. Consumption of Holy Basil or Tulsi leaves helps to improve the metabolism of the body. Thus, it helps to burn the calories at a faster pace. Not just this, it converts the food into energy.

Dinah Coaquira

Professional

What is the best way to preserve fresh basil?

Freeze Basil Leaves
Remove basil leaves from the stem and toss them in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer the leaves to a bowl of ice cold water. Dry the leaves completely and store in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.

Kasie Nurmuhametov

Professional

How do I use fresh basil in my garden?

Puree and freeze fresh basil in these 3 easy steps:
Prep: Remove the basil leaves from the stem, then wash and dry completely. Puree: Use a food processor to puree the fresh basil leaves with olive oil. Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil per 1 cup of basil.

Anatolii Quinzin

Explainer

What meat does basil go with?

Basil: tomatoes, tomato sauces, peas, squash, lamb, fish, eggs, tossed salad, cheese, potatoes, pasta. Bay leaf: vegetable and fish soups, tomato sauces, poached fish and meat stews.

Guilermo Almritter

Explainer

How do I use fresh basil in pasta?

Usually, fresh basil has to be added to a fresh sauce (means a sauce made by fresh tomatoes, to serve it "today") just at the end of cooking, 3-4 minutes before you turn your fire off. Then let it rest some minutes more, while you cook the pasta.

Marcell Marunin

Explainer

What foods go well with basil?

The most commonly known pairing of basil is with tomatoes, but here are other foods that go well with basil along with recipe ideas and links.
  • Tomatoes. Tomatoes are the most classic pairing with basil.
  • Olive Oil.
  • Garlic.
  • Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Fruit.
  • Mint.
  • Lemon.
  • Eggplant.

Norma Noggins

Pundit

Is Basil a laxative?

Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study. Basil is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach.

Crispina Alcedo

Pundit

Yossra Yenapa

Pundit

How do you freeze basil without turning it black?

Chop and Freeze
Use a food processor to coarsely chop washed basil leaves. Add a drizzle of olive oil and pulse to lightly coat the leaves with oil; this will keep the basil from turning black in the freezer.

Dieng Eicker

Pundit

What is the side effect of basil?

In some people basil can cause low blood sugar. The above-ground parts of basil and basil oil are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, long-term. These contain estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

Salomia Galy

Teacher

Can I eat fresh basil leaves?

The fresher it is, the better it is. The fragrance of basil is never as seductive as when it is first plucked from a live plant and eaten raw, as quickly as possible after plucking. Basil pesto too, should always be used raw, never warmed up or cooked.

Roseli Konang

Teacher

How do you dry fresh basil leaves?

Lay each leaf in a single layer on the racks and allow them to dry in the machine until completely crisp. A super fast method of drying basil uses the microwave. Use caution to prevent the herbs from scorching. Lay the leaves in a single layer on paper towels and microwave on low for up to 3 minutes.

Azad Maeztu

Teacher

Is fresh basil good for you?

Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. When basil's oils are extracted to make an essential oil, it is used for treating cuts, wounds, and skin infections.

Wassima Ajila

Teacher

What does basil taste like?

Taste Of Basil
Basil is associated with a strong, pungent and sweet smell. It has a peppery taste, and there are over 60 varieties of basil with differences in flavor. Basil is used for adding flavor to various types of food such as Presto.

Adeodato Primitivo

Reviewer

What is dried basil used for in cooking?

Culinary Uses
Dried basil is used to flavour pizza sauce along with other dried herbs like oregano, thyme etc. It is a wonderful seasoning for salads and pastas. Add it to herbal teas for health benefits. Can be used in marinades too.

Brinda Tikhomirov

Reviewer

How do you keep freshly picked basil leaves?

Trim the cut ends, put the bunch in a glass, jar, or vase of water that will fit in the fridge, and cover the whole thing, or at least the basil leaves, with a plastic bag. Put the whole in in a refrigerator. Basil kept that way will stay vibrant and green for up to a week.

Lupicina Vanitchev

Reviewer

How do you prepare fresh basil?

Preparing Basil
Wash basil just before using and blot dry with paper towels. When chopping or slicing basil, make sure the leaves are thoroughly dry to prevent them from sticking to the knife. To chop, use a chef's knife on a cutting board. To thinly slice fresh basil, stack several leaves.

Barbaro Shakhmin

Reviewer

What is Rosemary used for in cooking?

The herb contains substances that are useful for improving digestion and increasing circulation. In cooking, rosemary is used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, such as soups, casseroles, salads, and stews. Use rosemary with chicken and other poultry, game, lamb, pork, steaks, and fish, especially oily fish.

Lancine Grigoriev

Supporter

Does basil go with oregano?

One of the most compatible herbs - goes well with basil, bay, chives, cilantro, garlic, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. Cool and refreshing 'minty' flavor. Use carefully with other herbs, can be combined with basil, lemon balm, nasturtium, parsley, tarragon, and watercress.