Sweet basil has a special affinity for tomatoes and tomato-flavoured dishes, and it is an essential ingredient to make a truly wonderful pesto sauce. You can also add sweet basil to beans, cheeses, chicken, eggs, fish, marinades, marrows, mushrooms, pasta and pasta sauces and salads.
What do you do with sweet basil?
How to Use Basil
- 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! Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil, and a balsamic reduction.
What does sweet basil taste good 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 there a difference between regular basil and sweet basil?
Sweet basil is a sub-type of common basil with milder or licoricey taste. It is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Sweet basil leaves can sustain better in high-temperature cooking than common basil, so they are widely used in the South Asian cuisine.
Can you cook sweet basil?
If a recipe simply calls for “basil,” sweet basil is the way to go. Other varieties can have stronger flavors that can give you an unintended result in your recipes. Holy basil is best cooked (it can be bitter when raw), but purple basil is best raw as that pretty purple color turns black when cooked.
What are the health benefits of sweet basil?
It has compounds that can help to alleviate anxiety and depression, increase your ability to think clearly, and lower the risk for age-related memory loss. Essential oils in basil, including eugenol, linalool, and citronellol, can help to fight inflammation in the body.
How do you store sweet basil leaves?
Follow these simple steps for the best way to store your fresh basil leaves:
- Trim the Basil Stems.
- Put the Basil in a Jar or Glass Vase with Water.
- Cover with a Plastic Bag.
- Store Basil Jar at Room Temperature.
- Trim the Stems and Replace the Water Occasionally.
What spices go good with sweet basil?
Basil has a sweet, warm, peppery taste and is famous for its use in the Italian kitchen. Basil works well with most other herbs: Parsley, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, chives, dill, mint and coriander.
Do garlic and basil go together?
Basil, probably the most popular of fresh herbs, combines well with bay, garlic, marjoram, oregano, savory and thyme in cooked dishes. When used fresh, it goes well with chives, dill, garlic, mint, nasturtium, parsley and watercress.
What spices go best with basil?
Basil. Herbs and Spices: Pairs really well with thyme, cardamom, anise seed, rosemary, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, sage, corander, anise, ginger, cinnamon, and tarragon.
Which basil is best for cooking?
Sweet Basil
It is the most used and popular basil variety to grow. Sweet basil is used extensively in cooking for its aromatic foliage.
Does sweet basil lower blood pressure?
Sweet basil is high in eugenol. Research has linked this plant-based antioxidant to many health benefits, including lowered blood pressure ( 3 ).
What does sweet basil taste like?
Sweet basil has a fresh flavor, with a finish of black pepper and subtle anise and mint notes. It’s milder than the Thai variety, which has a strong black licorice flavor.
Can you eat sweet basil raw?
The leaves are also commonly used in cooking, though some people eat the leaves raw.
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.
What are the side effects of basil?
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.
Is basil good for kidneys?
Kidney Health
Basil leaves act as a kidney tonic by cleansing the kidneys and lowering uric acid levels, which is the root cause of kidney stones. Basil contains compounds like acetic acid which help in the expulsion of kidney stones via urine.
Is Sweet Basil good for liver?
Basil may help prevent fat build-up in the liver and keep your liver healthy. Basil may help prevent fat build-up in the liver and keeps your liver healthy. Basil also helps restore the body’s natural pH levels and feeds healthy bacteria within the gut microflora.
Is basil good for weight loss?
Basil seeds are very rich in fiber which promotes the feeling of fullness and reduces hunger pangs. This makes them great weight-loss food. In addition to that, high-fiber foods are also helpful in regulating bowel movements.
How long does a basil plant last?
Basil may survive for two years before replanting in warm climates. An indoor basil plant with full sun and steady warm temperatures may last longer as well. Basil plants are sensitive to cold weather and frost. Before the weather turns, take steps to preserve your plant for the next year.
Can you freeze basil leaves whole?
Once your leaves are dry, you’ve got two options. You can freeze the leaves whole (the quickest and cheapest option), or you can freeze sliced basil in olive oil.