Besides eggplant, zucchini and squash, basil pairs well with artichokes, mushrooms, and green vegetables including salad greens. Tear basil into shreds or roughly chop it and add to a salad with mixed greens, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, frisee or watercress.
What is basil good for in cooking?
This popular herb is used in a variety of Mediterranean and Asian dishes, ranging from creamy sauces to light, herbaceous salads and spicy curries. Ingredients that are complimented by the addition of basil include meats like chicken and beef, olive oil, eggs, tomatoes, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
What can I do with lots of basil?
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 flavor does basil add?
What does 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.
Is basil better cooked or raw?
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 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.
How long does basil last in the fridge?
How long does basil stay fresh in the fridge? This depends on how you store it. It will last up to 2 days when wrapped in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag. If you cover the leaves with olive oil, they can last up to 2 months.
Can you eat too much basil?
Basil is generally safe when consumed in small amounts, but a few precautions are warranted. Basil leaves are high in vitamin K, which helps blood clot. High intakes could interfere with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin ( 37 ).
Does basil make poop?
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study.
What cheese goes well with basil?
Mozzarella
Mozzarella works nicely with both basil and rosemary, but basil and mozzarella are one of the most iconic cheese and herb pairings out there. When the two are combined they are called a caprese salad!
Is eating fresh basil good for you?
Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese; a very good source of copper, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids such as beta-carotene), and vitamin C; and a good source of calcium, iron, folate, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids making it quite nutrient rich!
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.
When should basil be added to a dish?
Add basil at the beginning of a long simmer and by the time you serve your dish, you’ll only taste a shadow of what it once was. That’s why it’s best to add the basil only in the last minute or so of cooking.
Is basil good for high blood pressure?
Basil contains compounds, such as eugenol, that may help reduce blood pressure, according to animal studies.
Does basil go with beef?
Basil is a bright and powerful flavor that pairs well with the deep flavors of beef dishes. It is delicious when cooked into a recipe, but best if added towards the end of the cooking time to brighten the dish and add a new facet of flavor. Basil does not dry well, it becomes black and tasteless when dried.
Which herbs do not go together?
Which Herbs Do Not Go Together? | Garden Guide
- Fennel.
- Rue, Anise and Dill.
- Garlic.
- Mint.
- Chives.
- Rosemary.
- Basil.
What herb is best with steak?
Here are my favorite herbs that work really well with steak:
- Rosemary.
- Basil.
- Parsley.
- Oregano.
- Chives.
- Green onion.
- Fennel.
- Tarragon.
How do you clean fresh basil leaves?
Carefully remove herbs from any packaging, including twist ties. Remove any damaged leaves or stems. Rinse herbs under cool running water, turning constantly until thoroughly clean. Let herbs drip-dry for a moment over the sink.
Can I freeze basil leaves whole?
Freeze leaves whole.
You don’t want to cook them. Blanching helps retain basil’s nice green color. Use a strainer or slotted spoon to remove them and place in the cold water for several seconds to cool down and stop the cooking. Remove the leaves from the cold water bath and dry well on paper towel.
Should you refrigerate fresh basil?
To keep basil fresh, trim the stems and place them in a glass or jar of water, just like cut flowers. Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and leave it on the counter. Although certain herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, can be stored this way in the fridge, basil does better at room temperature.
Which disease is cured by basil?
Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.