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Farm Kitchen:  What to do with Basil  |
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shawneefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
91 Posts
Linda
Missouri
USA
91 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 08 2013 : 08:29:55 AM
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I never used basil before, and I just pruned the basil plant in my garden. I put one in because the lady at the farmers market said it deters bugs from tomato plants. So it was getting tall, and I pruned it back. It smells delicious!! I hate to just throw it away, But I don't know what to use it for or how to store the leaves. Any suggestions?? Thank you all in advance!
I'll tell you the truth, if a man keeps my word, he will never see death." John 8:51 |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2978 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2978 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2013 : 08:36:25 AM
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Chop it up, stick in ice cube trays 1/2 to 3/4 full in each section, add water to fill, then freeze. WHen they are frozen, pop out the basil cubes, store in a zip lock. Then you have fresh basil all winter long to add to soups, sauces etc.
Right now though, add to tomatoes with some balsamic vinegar, cracked pepper, a bit of salt &..if you can get it, some fresh mozzarella
DIVINE!
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2013 : 1:11:27 PM
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My little old Italian neighbor taught me to rinse it well, dry it in a towel, then lay it on paper towels, roll it up tight, wrap the roll tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for future use. SO good to store it this way! Just take what you need out, toss it in your tomato sauce, roll up the rest and re-freeze! Basil is great in any type of tomato recipe, for sauce or soup, pesto, salad dressings, basil flavored oil (with garlic - oh yeah!), etc. It's also used in sorbet, as an accent in iced tea, in body care products, and more! Have fun experimenting with it! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4505 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4505 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2013 : 5:46:53 PM
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I dry mine and store in canning jars.
Michele |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1515 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1515 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2013 : 6:00:01 PM
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Tomato basil bruschetta and basil pesto are my favorite ways to use fresh basil. I've never heard of freezing basil so I will have to give that a try this year, too.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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mickib
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Michele
Coeur d'Alene
Idaho
267 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2013 : 3:36:50 PM
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| Thanks Nini, I will try freezing it the way you described. I've never liked the ice cube method. |
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Larie
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Larie
Cortland
New York
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2013 : 7:05:59 PM
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| My daughter and I have cut ours back 3 times this summer, we dry it and store it in little jars for use this Winter in our soups, sauces and stews. The whole house smells awesome when we dry it. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2013 : 11:08:26 PM
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I grow and use TONS of basil every year. Love the stuff. I cry when the first frost kills it. Whole fresh basil leaves are lovely on sandwiches with tomatoes and cheese or any kind of poultry. It's nice sliced into ribbons and tossed into pasta with almost anything else. And of course, there's the classic pesto, which you make by blending basil with olive oil and pine nuts. There are lots of recipes online. Lisa's idea of using ice cube trays is a good idea for pesto, too.
If you decide to grow it again next year, you might want to keep it pinched back so it never has a chance to bloom. Once it hits that stage, the flavor isn't as good. This will also keep it form bolting, so you get nice bushy plants with lots of luscious leaves. |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2013 : 12:24:28 AM
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My friend just gave me all her basil because she is getting ready to move so I made a ton of pesto and froze it. Yum!
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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sharikrsna
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Shari
Carthage
Illinois
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2013 : 08:31:03 AM
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I have been making bruschetta with mine. Toast a couple of pieces of french bread, layer it with slices of your fresh homegrown tomatoes (ideally still warm from the sun!) drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with chopped basil, salt and pepper. SO good!
Shari
Farmgirl Sister #607 |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2013 : 09:46:31 AM
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| Great treat, Shari...I'll be right over ;) |
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sharikrsna
True Blue Farmgirl
185 Posts
Shari
Carthage
Illinois
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2013 : 2:47:31 PM
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:)
Shari
Farmgirl Sister #607 |
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Farm Kitchen: What to do with Basil |
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What to do with Basil
