A friend sent me a piece of fresh basil to root about two months ago. Now its a full plant what can I make with it? How do you dry it? Lastly, which is the tastier portion of the plant (new growth or older growth)? TIA
Thanks people. Mmmmm, I think I will try a recipe a night. Thanks for the input.
W.W.
Favorite Answer
Italian sauces, bruschetta and even panini sandwiches (allrecipes.com has lots of fun ways to use basil).
We also use it to make pesto. Just use the leaves, pinenuts (walnuts will work instead) and a little bit of olive oil....YUM!
under cover chef
All the above are many things you can make with basil. You can even just use it in your favorite dish to give it a diffrent taste.. that is if you like basil.... a tip with the plant if it starts to flower go and cut off the buds, when basil flowers it becomes very bitter, you can dry it by just hanging it out, in the oven..a very low temp. Really all growth is tastey but new is better the only herd plant that you want older growth on is Sage. The wise sage only gets better with age!
Grandmabird
Cook the pasta noodle of your choice and toss with olive oil and torn or chopped basil leaves. add salt & pepper and a little garlic. makes a great side dish for fish or meat or alone.
Toss a few torn leaves in your salad or on a pizza fresh from the oven.
You can dry the leaves. cut them into thin strips and place in a closed (top folded over) paper bag in a dry place, not the fridge, for several days shaking the bag a couple times a day untill dry. I just keep mine on the counter. Then transfer to a clean jar to store with your other spices.
The new leaves are more tender but they all taste about the same.
julski
I don't think basil is really worth drying - it doesn't taste the same at all. But pesto freezes well, just leave out the cheese. Freeze in small containers or even an ice cube tray, then use small amounts as needed. I've even defrosted IN hot pasta. Don't forget to add cheese (I like Romano) to serve!
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Dry the dill by employing wrapping string around them and dangle them the different way up. Use clean or dried dill in many vegetable dishes, surprisingly carrots, eco-friendly beans, potatoes. clean basil is yummy in lunch meat and tuna sandwiches, additionally toss some in a backyard salad. cut up basil and upload as a garnish to spaghetti. i do no longer propose dried basil, its no longer very tasty.