How Do I Use Fresh Basil Leaves?

10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil

1. Pesto.
2. Infused Oil.
3. Appetizers.
4. Vegetable Soups.
5. Salads.
6. Pizza.
7. Fish & Seafood Dishes.
8. Sides.

Can you use basil straight from the plant?

You can pick basil leaves as needed at any time – in fact, harvesting encourages the plant to produce more leaves. Morning is the best time of day, but don’t hesitate to pick basil whenever you need it. For best results: Harvesting Small Amounts: Pick a few leaves off each plant, rather than cutting off a whole stem.

What part of fresh 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.

Do you just use the leaves of basil?

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.

What can I do with extra basil leaves?

Here are some other everyday ways to use it:

1. Top whole leaves onto pizza.
2. Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
3. Blend it into sauces.
4. Puree it into soups.
5. Chop it up to add to a salad.
6. Use it to garnish avocado toast.
7. Turn it into an ice cream topping!

Should I pick basil from the top or bottom?

It’s best to harvest leaves from the top of the plant, which will lead to bushier, fuller growth. If you harvest the bottom leaves, the plant will grow lanky and thin, and it might not be as healthy or productive.

Should fresh basil be refrigerated?

Store refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.
You also can store the basil at room temperature, which keeps it fresh for about 3 to 4 days.

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.

Should I wash fresh basil?

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.

Can you eat all parts of basil?

You can expect the blooms to taste similar to the leaves, but with a milder flavor. If, however, your intent when cultivating basil is for a big batch of pesto, you’ll want to pinch back the herb to encourage leaf growth. Pinch off the flower buds as soon as they emerge.

What are the benefits of basil?

Benefits of basil leaves you must know

• Good For Digestion.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Fights free radical activity.
• Skin Benefits.
• Fights Depression.
• Diabetes Management.
• Supports Liver Function and Helps Detoxify the Body.
• Promote healthy gut.

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 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.

Can you freeze fresh basil for later use?

ANSWER: Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves, but they just need a little help. Basil is a particularly delicate herb because it hates the cold and darkens when cut. Keep in mind any fresh herbs that you freeze will not be entirely the same as fresh. Freezing will change the texture and it won’t be as stable.

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.

What meat goes well with basil?

Sweet and fragrant basil complements tomato-based dishes including pizza, pasta and marinara sauce. It also pairs well with vegetable, chicken, pork or seafood.

Will basil grow back?

Basil Plants Do Not Come Back Every Year
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb in the culinary herb garden. New seeds, plants, or cuttings need to be planted each spring. Basil plants grow from seeds in the spring, produce basil leaves in the summer, and eventually flower and grow seeds as fall approaches.

Why is it bad to refrigerate basil?

Should you refrigerate fresh basil? No, refrigerating fresh basil is not recommended, as it can cause the leaves to turn black.

Why should you not refrigerate basil?

Refrigerating basil will not only make it wilt faster; it will also absorb all of the other smells around it. If you want to store the herb in the best way possible, sit it inside a cup of fresh water, like flowers.

Is basil good for high blood pressure?

Basil contains compounds, such as eugenol, that may help reduce blood pressure, according to animal studies.

How many basil leaves can I eat daily?

The suggested dosage ranges from 300 mg to 2,000 mg per day for general preventive purposes. When used as a treatment, the recommended dosage is 600 mg to 1,800 mg taken in multiple doses throughout the day. All parts of the plant might be used in supplements and topical ointments.