While stems are too tough to use in a recipe that calls for leaves (and can be a little bitter), they make a good addition to soups, sauces and more. One option is to cut them fine and stir them into rice or couscous along with some butter and a little bit of salt.
Are you supposed to use basil stems?
THE BOTTOM LINE: While we don’t recommend using the thicker stems from a bunch of basil, it’s perfectly fine to make the most of your basil bunch and put the younger, more tender stems to use.
Which part of basil do you use?
The leaves are most often removed from the stem and either torn, cut into chiffonade, or finely chopped. They can also be used whole and added as a pizza topping or garnish. Thicker stems and stalks should be discarded because they tend to be bitter, but it is okay to include the small stems in dishes.
What can I do with leftover basil stems?
So here’s how you can make the most of your stems:
- Infuse Oils and Vinegars. If you feel weary about eating herb stems, or you only have hard herbs (like rosemary) on hand, then go with this approach.
- Blend Them.
- Use Them for Stuffing.
- Grill Them.
- Muddle Them.
- Chop Them.
Do you only use the leaves of basil?
If you have fresh basil, take only the leaves — not the stem. It’s generally best to add fresh basil at the final step of cooking because heat can diminish the flavor and bright green color (36).
Can I use basil stems in my pesto?
Can you use basil stems in pesto? Absolutely! The great thing about making pesto is that you can use the entire herb in the sauce. If you get a bunch of basil with extra thick stems, you may want to trim those off, as your blender or food processor might not be able to handle them.
What part of basil is used for pesto?
Fresh basil leaves
Basil: Fresh basil leaves are the base of this pesto recipe. Rinse and pat dry before using. Pine Nuts: Pine nuts add structure and a light nutty flavor to the pesto. If I’m having trouble finding pine nuts, sometimes I’ll swap them for walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
Can you eat all parts of basil?
Safe for Human Consumption. Basil is one of many herbs in which both the flowers and the foliage are edible. Like many pesto enthusiasts, you probably pinch the blooms from your basil plants to encourage lusher leaf growth.
Can you eat whole basil leaves?
You can eat dried leaves like lettuce if you want. Maybe with some olive oil and little balsamic vinegar, a pinch of fresh basil.
Can you freeze basil stems?
Wash and Freeze
Then discard the stems. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and flash freeze them. Transfer the frozen basil to freezer bags and use them as needed.
Should you eat herb stems?
But man, picking all those little leaves off the stem can be time-consuming, you know? But here’s the thing: You can skip that part. With soft herbs, including parsley, cilantro, and chervil, the stems are tender and flavorful enough to eat.
What to do with herb stems?
Chop tender stems and add them into (almost) everything.
Fold them into pesto or chimichurri. Go ahead and toss them in your salads. Or add them to frittatas, quiches, veggie burgers, fritters, and even dips. You can use tender herb stems anywhere you’d use the leaves.
Does basil regrow after you pick it?
Basil is a cut-and-come-again plant that you can harvest from again and again, all summer long. In fact, the more you pick them, the more the plant will produce. For the biggest bounty possible, be sure to pick the leaves or pinch out the flowers and tender tips as often as you can.
Should you wash fresh basil before using?
Before you go racing to the garden or farmers market and then put those delicious herbs into your next dish, you should always be washing your fresh herbs before cooking with them. No matter the type of produce you are going to be eating, herbs, fruit, etc., you should always carefully wash it before consumption.
Should I pick 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.
Should basil be washed before making pesto?
Yes, it’s important to wash your basil leaves before making your pesto. Don’t immerse the leaves in water, just rinse them and dry them immediately. You need to rinse the basil leaves to ensure that any dirt or bugs that may be on the leaves are washed off.
How do you get the bitterness out of basil pesto?
Add Lemon Juice – Adding an acidic element to pesto can balance the bitter flavour. The easiest way to do this is to add a squeeze of lemon juice. Remember to taste it regularly to avoid adding too much acid.
Are basil stems and flowers edible?
Is Basil Still Good Once It Has Flowered? Yes, your basil plant is still perfectly fine after it flowered since both the flowers, leaves, and even stems are edible. That said, the leaves will generally lose flavor and become a little bitter when the flower appears.
Can you cook with basil stems?
While stems are too tough to use in a recipe that calls for leaves (and can be a little bitter), they make a good addition to soups, sauces and more. One option is to cut them fine and stir them into rice or couscous along with some butter and a little bit of salt.
Why is my pesto bitter?
“Extra-virgin olive oil contains bitter tasting polyphenols coated by fatty acids, which prevent them from dispersing. If the oil is emulsified in a food processor, these polyphenols get squeezed out and the liquid mix turns bitter.
How do you wash basil?
To avoid getting sick from your herbs, wash them properly. The best way to do this is to dunk the herbs in a bowl or salad spinner full of of cold water. Dump the water and repeat this step a few times, swishing the herbs around in the bowl, especially if the herbs are caked with a lot of dirt.