Frequent question: How do you cook with basil leaves?

What is basil good for in cooking?

The most common use of basil is for cooking, such as in tomato sauce, pesto, or vinegars. But it also can be sprinkled over salads and sliced tomatoes, either whole or chopped. … To make oil for salads, pound the fresh leaves and mix with a good salad or vegetable oil.

Can you cook fresh basil leaves?

Raw or cooked, fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It’s one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.

How do you prepare basil leaves?

Preparing Basil



To thinly slice fresh basil, stack several leaves. Roll stack lengthwise into cylinder. Cut cylinder crosswise at close intervals with sharp knife to form thin strips. Like many fresh herbs, basil tastes best when added near the end of cooking as it loses flavor when exposed to prolonged heat.

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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 goes well with basil?

Sweet, sweet basil



With Basil’s sweet and peppery flavour, it matches well with foods such as white meats, roast beef and lamb. Basil and oregano are good partners in crime, so be sure to pair them together when cooking your meals.

What part of basil do we eat?

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 goes well with basil?

The most commonly known pairing of basil is with tomatoes, but here are other foods that go well with basil along with recipe ideas and links.

  • Tomatoes. Tomatoes are the most classic pairing with basil. …
  • Olive Oil. …
  • Garlic. …
  • Balsamic Vinegar. …
  • Fruit. …
  • Mint. …
  • Lemon. …
  • Eggplant.

Is eating fresh basil good for you?

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.

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What can I do with too much fresh basil?

What to Do With Too Much Basil

  1. Make pesto. Making pesto may be the most obvious answer, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the power of such a vibrant homemade condiment. …
  2. Make cocktails. Know what else basil goes great with? …
  3. Use it in a rehydrating salad. …
  4. Save it. …
  5. Root it. …
  6. Try These Basil Recipes.

What are the side effects of basil?

In some people basil can cause low blood sugar. The above-ground parts of basil and basil oil are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, long-term. These contain estragole, a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

What does fresh basil taste like?

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.

Can you boil basil leaves?

Blanch the leaves in boiling water for three to five seconds. Yes, seconds. You don’t want to cook them. Blanching helps retain basil’s nice green color.

How many basil leaves can I eat?

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.

Can you bake with basil?

I absolutely love baking with basil. It adds a wonderful layer of flavor that’s not so common in desserts. … Go, toss a bowl of sliced strawberries with a chiffonade of sweet basil, black pepper, granulated sugar and a splash of balsamic vinegar — right now.

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