Basil: Preserving and Savoring an Aromatic Star!

Transform every dish into a culinary experience with basil, the ultimate aromatic herb! After nurturing your plants and enjoying their fragrance in the garden, discover how to preserve your harvest and turn it into delicious treats for the whole year. Dubbed the "royal herb," basil reigns supreme over our plates, from juicy tomatoes to savoury pasta.

Basil: A Flavour Explosion! Preserve Your Harvest to Enjoy It All Year Long!

Was your basil harvest generous, and you want to preserve all that aromatic richness? For maximum flavour, pick basil in the morning, after the dew has evaporated and before the sun gets too strong.

Preparation: Properly Wash and Dry Your Basil

For successful preservation, careful preparation is essential:

• Gently wash the leaves under cold water.
• Dry them very carefully. Moisture is the enemy of preservation. Use a salad spinner or spread the leaves on a clean cloth and gently pat them until there is no trace of water left. This crucial step will prevent the leaves from blackening or moulding.

Basil is a delicate plant that tends to blacken quickly once cut. That's why effective preservation methods are essential to maintain its freshness and beautiful green colour. Here are three simple and reliable techniques to preserve your basil, ranked from the best for flavour to the least altered.

1. Freezing: The Best Method for Maximum Flavour

Freezing is the best way to preserve the fresh taste and vibrant aromas of basil, with virtually no loss of flavour. You can store it for up to 6 months.

1. Whole Leaves:
   • Place the leaves, without the stems, in an airtight bag.
   • Use them whole to make pistou by crushing them as needed.
2. Basil Purée:
   • Blend the fresh leaves in a blender.
   • Add olive oil for a smoother texture.
   • Pour the purée into ice cube trays and freeze.
   • Once the cubes are frozen, pop them out and transfer them to a freezer bag.
   • Return the bag to the freezer.

These cubes are true kitchen workhorses! Incorporate them directly into your soups, sauces, or stews to instantly infuse your dishes with summery flavours.

2. Refrigeration: A Quick and Simple Method with Protective Oil

This simple and quick method preserves basil's scent well. You can store it for one to two weeks. Note that olive oil tends to solidify in the cold, which is completely normal and does not affect the taste of the basil. To use it, simply let the jar sit at room temperature for a few minutes.

• Chop the leaves and place them in olive oil with coarse salt.
• Seal the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator.

Warning: To avoid any risk of botulism, it is essential to always store fresh herbs in oil in the refrigerator. Never leave them at room temperature.

3. Drying: For Long-Term Storage

Basil loses a lot of flavour once dried, but this method remains practical for certain recipes. It's better to do it yourself than to buy it! You can store it for up to 1 year.

• Finely chop the basil leaves.
• Dry them in a dark place, in an air fryer, or a dehydrator.
• Then, store it in an airtight container, in a dry place, away from heat and light.

For more details, read our article on how to dry herbs.

Cooking with Basil: Three Recipes for a Flavour Explosion!

Basil's unique taste pairs perfectly with tomatoes, of course, but also with zucchini, garlic, pasta, fish, eggs, chicken, and duck. Dare to try it with fruits like melon or peach for a refreshing and unexpected touch! To savour its full potency, use fresh leaves, as its aroma diminishes when cooked. Add torn leaves to salads, vinaigrettes, and sauces. When cooking with it, always add it at the very last moment.

Homemade Pesto: The Classic, Reimagined

Make your own fresh and flavourful pesto—far superior to the store-bought version! (Makes about 1 ½ cups)

Warning: To avoid any risk of botulism, it is essential to always store your herb and oil mixtures (like pesto) in the refrigerator. Never leave them at room temperature.

1. In a food processor, finely chop 3 packed cups of fresh basil, ½ cup toasted pine nuts, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 2 cloves of garlic.
2. Add 1 ½ cups of olive oil in a steady stream until you get a creamy and slightly grainy consistency.

Use this pesto as a sauce for pasta, a pizza base, or a garnish in sandwiches. For storage, it keeps for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Pistou: The Provençal Essence

Prepare a delicious purée that highlights the potency of garlic and basil.

1. Crush 2 cloves of garlic in a mortar.
2. Gradually add a handful of basil leaves, continuing to crush until you get a paste-like consistency.
3. Incorporate 3 tablespoons of olive oil, continuing to crush. The mixture should not be swimming in oil.

Serve this pistou on toasted bread, crackers, or as a sauce for pasta dishes. Freeze any extra in ice cube trays for future use.

Strawberry, Bocconcini, Basil Salad: Fresh and Sweet

A surprising salad that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and herbal flavours.

1. In a bowl, mix 2 cups quartered strawberries, 3 tablespoons balsamic reduction, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons chopped basil.
2. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Place lettuce leaves on a serving plate.
4. Add the strawberry mixture, 8 sliced mini bocconcini balls, and 16 whole basil leaves.
5. Season with pepper and sprinkle with maple sugar flakes to taste.

Enjoy your meal!

For fresh basil plants and all the accessories for your harvest, come visit us at your Botanix garden centre.