Basil is a fresh herb that makes the flavor in several iconic dishes, and it’s a perfect backup character in others. You can add it to pizza, pasta, sauces, cocktails, and salads to add a burst of peppery, fresh flavor. Here are the top 10 ways to use basil in your cooking!
What flavor does basil add?
Sweet basil has a fresh aroma with a subtle peppery flavor and a hint of mint. Other varieties taste of citrus and spice. Thai basil is more savory with a spicy licorice flavor.
What is the importance of basil?
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. Basil is also a common culinary ingredient used to add flavour to dishes.
What was basil originally used for?
Basil has been around for over 4,000 years. Throughout history, basil was believed to have almost magical powers. It was used as an antidote for snake bites, and was believed to give strength during religious fasting. It was found in mummies in Egypt because the ancient Egyptians used this herb for embalming.
What meat 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.
Where is basil most commonly used?
Italy
Basil is undoubtedly the most loved and popular herb in Italy. Although we tend to associate it with Italy and other Mediterranean countries, it actually originated in India, and was brought to the Mediterranean via the spice routes in ancient times.
What happens when you eat too much 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 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.
Is basil better cooked or raw?
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. Thai basil is stronger, with an anise flavor, while lemon and cinnamon basil are aptly named for the flavors they bring to the table.
Do you cook pizza with basil?
Fresh basil should go on pizza after it’s baked, not before. Dried basil can go on before and/or after baking. What an easy question to answer! Of course, if you do put fresh basil on your pizza before it goes in the oven it’s not the end of the world — at the end of the day, pizza is still pizza.
Is basil a spice or herb?
Basil, rosemary, and parsley are often found in a kitchen’s spice rack but actually qualify as herbs because they are aromatic leaves. Spices tend to be stronger in flavor than herbs, because they are made from crushed portions of plants that are especially rich in essential oils.
What are some fun facts about basil?
Native to Africa and Southern India, basil is a sacred herb in the Hindu tradition and used in burial ceremonies in both India and Egypt. The name basil comes from the Greek work “basileus” or “king”. It is also attributed to the word “basilisk” a legendary dragon who could slay a person with just one glance.
Do basil and garlic go together?
We know it’s delicious with tomato, garlic, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. But that’s just the tasty beginning. Here are 10 flavors that compliment basil you may not immediately think of.
What spices go best with basil?
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.
Is basil healthy to eat?
Basil contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Many of basil’s health benefits come from these antioxidants, as well as its essential oils.
Can you eat basil raw?
The leaves are also commonly used in cooking, though some people eat the leaves raw.
Is drinking basil water good for you?
Holy basil has been shown to boost your body’s health in a variety of ways. It can help protect against infection, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, ease joint pain, and protect your stomach.
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 basil good for your lungs?
A tea made with leaves of holy basil is a common remedy for cold, cough and mild indigestion. Holy basil has diverse actions on the respiratory system. It effectively liquefies the phlegm and is effective for cough due to allergic bronchitis, asthma and eosinophilic lung disease.
Does basil leaves help in weight loss?
Consumption of Holy Basil or Tulsi leaves everyday will help rev up your metabolism. Thus, it also helps to burn a lot of calories at a faster pace. It converts the food into energy and enhances the nutrient absorption from food in body.
Is basil good for diabetics?
Chronic hyperglycemia marked as elevated advanced glycation end products plays an important role in complications of diabetes. Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) originating from India and commonly found in Southeast Asia, is widely used empirically to decrease the blood sugar in diabetic patients.