Other Basil Plant Uses Use basil in place of lettuce on sandwiches or even as a wrap. Add basil (a little dab is all you need) and the juice of a lemon to an ice cream base for homemade ice cream. Make basil herb butter which can be frozen for later use. If you want a DIY gift project, try making soap from the herb.
What can you use basil for besides cooking?
Here are some other everyday ways to use it:
- Top whole leaves onto pizza.
- Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
- Blend it into sauces.
- Puree it into soups.
- Chop it up to add to a salad.
- Use it to garnish avocado toast.
- Turn it into an ice cream topping!
What can I do with too much fresh basil?
Too Much Basil?
- Dipping Oil – Chop finely and mix with other herbs such as thyme, oregano, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Pizza Topping – Try adding torn basil leaves as a pizza topping.
- Caprese Salad – Nothing says summer like a Caprese salad.
Can you eat basil without cooking?
Raw or cooked, fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It’s one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.
What is the most common use for basil?
Culinary Uses
Pesto — a creamy, green sauce — is one of basil’s most popular uses. It’s typically made from crushed basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil and pine nuts, though dairy-free options are also available.
Can you eat basil like salad?
There’s always pesto, and we put basil leaves on sandwiches and in cocktails, but we’re really loving it in our salads right now. It’s perfect with tomato, and with tomatoes being so ripe and delicious at the moment, any salad that combines the two gets high marks in our book.
When should you not use basil?
Some common traits of bad fresh basil are discoloration, a moist texture and a rotten smell. Basil will first become limp and then the green leaves turn black. Dried basil that is going bad will change color from dark green to brown as it looses its natural oils with age.
Why should you not refrigerate fresh basil?
Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and leave it on the counter. Although certain herbs, such as parsley and cilantro or coriander, can be stored this way in the fridge, basil does better at room temperature. Refrigeration can turn the leaves black.
Why should you not cut basil?
Both destroy the flavor. The wonderful basil scent and flavor comes from the oils. These evaporate quickly — even more so when exposed to heat. And chopping basil tends to expose more of the oils to the air.
Can you freeze fresh basil for later use?
Simply chop leaves, stuff them into ice cube trays, cover with cold water, and freeze. The frozen basil bits will turn black as soon as they thaw, but they will still taste like basil. Frozen basil cigars are a great way to store basil with large leaves that can hold up to brief blanching.
Is drinking basil water good for you?
The eugenol in basil can block calcium channels, which may help to lower blood pressure. The essential oils in the herb can help to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Basil also contains magnesium, which can help to improve blood flow by allowing muscles and blood vessels to relax.
Is basil good for your stomach?
Basil is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. Carminatives (also called aromatic digestive tonics or aromatic bitters) may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas.
Why shouldnt you cut basil with a knife?
Avoid cutting basil with a knife
The best way to use basil is to tear the leaves. Cutting them with a knife, like most are prone to do, causes the edge of the knife to blacken, rendering it a sore sight to behold.
What does basil do for your body?
Having antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties, basil helps maintain skin health, boosts digestion and detoxifies the body. It also helps in the prevention and cure of diseases like cancer, diabetes and other heart conditions. Fresh basil contains Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Iron, Manganese, Calcium, and essential oils.
Is basil good for high blood pressure?
Sweet basil is high in eugenol. Research has linked this plant-based antioxidant to many health benefits, including lowered blood pressure ( 3 ). Studies suggest that eugenol may help reduce blood pressure by acting as a natural calcium channel blocker.
What food does basil go with?
Sweet and fragrant basil complements tomato-based dishes including pizza, pasta and marinara sauce. It also pairs well with vegetable, chicken, pork or seafood.
Is basil healthier than spinach?
In mineral content, basil is the winner, being richer in copper, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. Basil is also lower in sodium. Spinach, however, contains more potassium and magnesium.
Is basil healthier than lettuce?
Basil is higher in Vitamin K, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Folate, and Zinc, yet Lettuce is higher in Vitamin A RAE. Basil’s daily need coverage for Vitamin K is 240% more. Basil has 13 times more Copper than Lettuce. While Basil has 0.385mg of Copper, Lettuce has only 0.029mg.
Can you eat basil straight off the plant?
Once your basil plant is grown, you should feel free to pick off leaves whenever you want a fresh garnish. Remove a few leaves from each section of the plant without cutting off any stems.
Does basil have side effects?
Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. Bleeding disorders: Basil oils and extracts might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Low blood pressure: Basil extracts might lower blood pressure.
Should I take basil from the top or bottom?
When you just need a few, the best way to harvest basil leaves is to pinch off each leaf at their base, where the leaf meets the stem. Start harvesting basil leaves from the top of the plant where more foliage will quickly fill in. If you harvest the bottom leaves first, the plant will likely look lanky and thin.