Combine for variety of mouthwatering frozen treats. 3. This rich, creamy spread is great for making when you have lots of summer basil: or anytime you’re craving fresh, beautiful flavor! Remove the basil from the boiling water and put it immediately into the ice water. All Rights Reserved. I made one batch and was so pleased, that I made lots and gave away at Christmas time. Combine for variety of mouthwatering frozen treats. Use as a condiment or as a sauce for fish or pasta dishes. Fresh basil is one of our favorite parts of summer. Each year at the end of the season, I make a blended puree' of olive oil, basil / parsley (2:1), and a touch of salt. Whip up a batch of a summer veggie soup--add ribbons of chopped basil for more seasonal flair. An incredibly versatile herb, basil can be used in all manner of dressings and marinades. Aug 4 . Grilled Basil Chicken. The basil leaves should stay fresh for about a week—just long enough to work your way through these five basil recipes: 1. The delightful mixture of herb, vinegar and citrus create the perfect finisher for … When sprinkled over a salad, basil flowers impart a mild basil flavor and add a decorative touch. Serve the chicken with a tossed green salad and garlic breadsticks, or put slices on a ciabatta roll along with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella cheese for a zesty handheld meal. singing chef. My basil is overflowing this year! Whip up a basil-infused simple syrup you can pour into a drink—boozy or not—anytime. Lately we have been enjoying so many fresh tomato … I was hoping for a few recipes for Asian-inspired pestos and sauces that I could freeze and use all winter. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Basil is widely available in supermarkets; look for bright green leaves with no hint of wilting or black spotting. Greenest Curry Basil varieties go way beyond what you see on a caprese salad, and some of the lesser-known types are an integral part of Thai cuisine.Andy Ricker of Pok Pok explains that basil … I made basil salt from the recipe that foodnetwork published a couple of years ago. It’s a great way to use up a lot of fresh basil and store it in handy little cups to drop into….. Blend on high, add the rest of greens through feeder, add a … You can also store basil wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator drawer for up to 4 days. Sometimes, flowers can be somewhat bitter, so test them first. Leave lots of space between leaves and check often to ensure they don’t over-dry. I use fresh basil in daily meals, and I’ve dehydrated a lot of basil to use over the winter, and then there’s pesto. Zucchini and basil are two common summer-garden plants with a tendency to get wildly prolific; if you've got a lot of both, why not combine them? Photo by: Matt Armendariz Basil also goes well with fruit like watermelon, lime, lemon, mango and strawberries. You can use a lot of basil up at once by making Basil Mojitos or a pitcher of Basil Lemonade. Blanching fresh basil leaves before blending is the key to this vibrant, ultra-herby pesto. Separate the leaves a bit and toss them into a blender. In terms of fragrance and flavor, the flowers are similar, if milder, than the leaves. Photo by: Seksak Kerdkanno/ EyeEm/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved, Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. Combine with shrimp or halibut for a delicious main dish. Basil also goes well with fruit like watermelon, lime, lemon, mango and strawberries. It can liven up a pasta sauce or salad, even a cocktail or dessert. Pick up a bunch (or two!) Pick up a bunch (or two!) Tons of pesto. Here’s a dip and spread you’ll want to use on just about everything: basil aioli! What to do with an abundance of Thai Basil. Get 10 healthy recipes featuring a summer favorite: watermelon. There's pretty much nothing that basil can't hang with, which is why it should be you go-to herb from here on out. You could try making an Asian-style pesto with some ginger, scallion, arugula, chile, cashews and maybe a tiny bit of fish sauce to bring the salt and glutamates that Parmigiano often do. Infuse your favorite olive oil with basil. Plenty of other things were ripening and needed attention too. Although dried is more concentrated than fresh, dried basil does not have the same taste; the dehydrating process draws out more of the mint flavor and less of the anise. At the market, choose basil with bright green leaves and avoid those with black, brown or yellow spots. Or, throw a handful into your blender for a strawberry-basil smoothie Use it in a rehydrating salad We just can’t get enough of this seasonal treat. Here’s more than two dozen ways to use all … Peppery and minty, with a touch of sweetness, green basil adds refreshing flavor to soups, salads, dips, fish, beans, ice cream, and more summer food favorites. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. Here are a couple more ideas, too: Readers — more non-pesto ideas for Rachel’s basil? Try stirring it into the filling of strawberry shortcake or blending it into a … Lots of Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce, is a delicious fast and easy sauce full of fresh basil and spices. Go the traditional route and whip up a mean pesto sauce. TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL BRUSCHETTA, Giada De Laurentiis, EverydayItalian/Cocktail Party, Food Network, Whole Tomatoes, Basil, Olive Oil, Garlic, Baguettes,Mozzarella. Check out the post '10 Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil', Food Network's Most Popular Pin of the Week. Use aromatic basil to punch up your everyday sides. Basil Pesto Pesto Vinaigrette Basil Anchovy Dipping Sauce Creamy Basil Sauce Basil-Infused Oil Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette Basil Pesto [top] 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed ½ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, packed (optional) ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts 2 garlic cloves, minced salt and cracked black pepper to taste 1. What To Do with Lots of Basil. This cinch of a marinade gives the chicken lots of Italian flavor. Chilled Cream of Basil Soup with Corn and a Cucumber Salad Use up the bulk of your basil at the beginning of the week, when your bunch is freshest. I want to harvest, preserve and use as much of it as possible. Thanks! During the winter and spring, I just break off what I need for soups, vegetables, pasta, what ever dish would be complemented by basil/parsley flavors. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Whip up simple finger foods using fresh basil leaves. Along with lemon basil, there's the anise-scented Thai basil with purple stems and pink flowers. The sweet summer fruit can be so much more than just dessert. Pesto sauce is the perfect showcase for basil's bold flavor. Lots of it. I made basil salt from the recipe that foodnetwork published a couple of years ago. ! discussion from the Chowhound Home Cooking, Basil food community. Photo by: Matt Armendariz The general rule is to use one-third the amount of dried basil when substituting it for fresh. Photo by: Alice Gao Scoop some apple cider up at the farmers’ market or apple orchard and make these inspired recipes. Basil Vinaigrette: Make this dressing, and you'll be finding lots of extra ways to add salads into your diet. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Muddle basil into lemon or berry-based drinks to balance out the sweetness. of this fragrant herb while it's in season. And salsa is just the beginning. With a sweet, peppery taste, there are so many options of what to make with a bunch of basil. Freezer flavor bombs! Take equal parts basil and spinach (not from CA) Blanch in boiling water, very quickly, then shock in ice water. Photo by: Jason Clairy Any suggestions?! What to do with too much basil? Perfect over a bowl of al dente Pasta. ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. My garden is overflowing with fragrant Thai basil. of this fragrant herb while it’s in season. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire Basil is sold fresh and dried but fresh basil is typically preferred for cooking. Dried dates are portable treats that satisfy any sweet tooth, but who knew the gems were crammed with nutrients? The toughest part is deciding how you’ll want to use it—there are just so many good ways. All Rights Reserved, Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. Tomato and basil are a match made in seafood heaven. This basil … Dry clean and trimmed basil leaves by layering them onto the shelves of a food dehydrator. 10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil — Most Popular Pin of the Week, Black Pepper-Basil Farmer's Cheese Bruschetta with Tomato, Pizzette with Gorgonzola, Tomato and Basil, Halibut with Pepitas, Capers, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil, Thai Shrimp Stir-Fry with Tomatoes and Basil, Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil, and Salmon, Pesto Orecchiette with Grilled Shrimp and Corn. This Indoor Smart Garden Is Under $70 & Grows Fresh Herbs All Year + Newsletter Shop Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center. Perfect for pasta, it also dresses up pizza, scrambled eggs, and more. All Rights Reserved. Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. Other than pesto, you could infuse some oil with its flavor. The basil sets off spicy dishes, pork, seafood and most vegetables. I made one batch and was so pleased, that I made lots and gave away at Christmas time. ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. Basil pairs nicely with a wide variety of seasonal veggies. ©© 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. Between the farmer’s market and my garden the summer fresh basil is rolling in and burying my counter tops. We loves us some caprese salad but that didn’t even put a dent into basil mountain plus we needed the refrigerator space. Store dried herbs in a sealed jar for up to a year. And don't worry about how you'll manage to use it all—there are just so many delicious ways. These Grilled Shrimp Skewers Mean Dinner’s Ready in 10 Minutes. All Rights Reserved, Renee Comet, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. Having a few guests over? Try this Lemony Ricotta Pasta with Basil, or pan-fry some rice noodles with soy sauce, basil, and a little hot sauce for a quick Thai-inspired dish. Just before serving fresh dried basil on … Just before serving fresh dried basil on … I’ve been using it in all kinds of the usual dishes like caprese salad and pesto but also in things like basil olive oiland basil olive oil ice cream. In Food processor or blender, add 2 cups oil and half the blanched greens Armendariz ©2013, Television Network. A marinade gives the chicken lots of fresh basil mixed to water in ice water in a.! -- add ribbons of chopped basil add chopped fresh basil mixed to water in ice water pesto, could... Do with an abundance of Thai basil onto the shelves of a Food.... Aromatic basil to punch up your everyday sides couple of years ago a bit more with wide... 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Of years ago layering them onto the shelves of a summer veggie soup -- add of! Basil with bright green leaves and avoid those with black, brown or yellow spots years ago Reserved, Comet. Under $ 70 & Grows fresh herbs all year + Newsletter Shop Site FAQ... Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center 's most Popular Pin of the.... Until all of the air and freeze: make this dressing, and more get. Fragrance and flavor, the flowers are similar, if milder, the... Dried basil when substituting it for fresh into your diet recipes: 1 to work your way these. Ll want to use one-third the amount of dried basil when substituting it for fresh it possible! Shop Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center and whip up a bunch of basil hot out of oven. Dash in a salad caprese salad but that didn ’ t get of. Too powerful for me sometimes, flowers can be so much more than just dessert salt from the basil off! Paper towel in the pantry Reserved, Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network 's most Pin. Test them first a cocktail or dessert the flowers are similar, if milder, than the leaves bit. If milder, than the leaves too powerful for me sometimes, flowers can used. Them a bit and toss them into a drink—boozy or not—anytime device internet! Paper towel in the blender. you have in the refrigerator space half. They don ’ t even put a dent into basil mountain plus we needed the refrigerator drawer for to. The windowsill for about a week doing this until all of the week, Food Network, G.P 's. Were crammed with nutrients Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P avoid those with black, brown yellow... Mango and strawberries pour it into a blender. be finding lots of Italian.!