Basil


basil

General Information

Basil is one fresh herb that has inspired quite a cult following. It is used to season many Italian and Asian dishes. It is a warm season crop that does not like cool temperatures in the field - so enjoy it while you can during the hot summer days.



Storage Information

Fresh leaves do not store well and should be used in a couple of days. They do not tolerate cold well and might turn black from cold injury in your refrigerator. Your best bet is to keep fresh leaves in an open plastic bag in a cool spot on your kitchen counter. For longer storage, leaves can be dried or frozen.



Cooking Suggestions

Chopped basil can be used to season soups, sauces, stir-fries and stews. Let your imagination run wild.


Add whole leaves to sandwiches.


Slice fresh tomatoes onto toast and broil for a few minutes until the tomato starts to become soft then cover with fresh basil and cheese and broil again to melt the cheese. This makes the most incredible grilled cheese sandwich.

Puree with oil and nuts to make pesto.


Pesto or pureed basil can be frozen in ice cube trays. Once frozen place cubes in an air tight container. Will keep for months. Just pop out the amount you need for any recipe.



Recipes

Baked Flounder Rolls


Basil Beer Bread


Basil Mint Cucumbers


Beet Citrus and Avocado Salad


Bread and Tomato Soup


Chard with Pine Nuts Parmesan and Basil


Chicken Trombino


Cream of Broccoli Soup


Cream of Spinach Soup


Cucumber Salad


Cucumber Tomato Salad with Zucchini


Curried Eggplant and Green Beans


Eggplant Cheddar Bake


Eggplant Rolls


Green Bean Pesto


Green Beans with Tomatoes and Basil


Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Stacks


Healthy Green Bean Casserole


Indirect Grill Eggplant Rounds


Italian Tomato Basil Dressing


Julia Child's Eggplant Pizzas


Light Chicken and Squash Lasagna


Midsummer Risotto


Milanese Style Chard


Miso Pesto


Mom's Summer Squash


Orange Basil Sweet Potatoes


Pasta e Fagioli with Pesto


Peach Cucumber Barley Salad


Penne with Sausage and Chard


**Penne with Creamy Walnut Sauce**


Pesto


Pinapple, Basil and Cucumber


Salad with Roasted Beets


Sauteed Zucchini with Gruyere


Slow Cooker Ratatouille


Southeast Asian Coconut Zucchini


Soy Glazed Broiled Eggplant


Spaghetti with Zucchini and Lemon

Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Bolognese


Stewed Tomatoes with Butter Toasted Croutons

Summer Lasagna


Swiss Chard Italianne


Ten Minute Zucchini Pizza


Thai Chicken with Basil


Thai Summer Salad


Tomato Basil Couscous Salad


Tomato Corn Salsa


Vegan Pesto


Zucchini Crusted Pizza