The leaves need to be removed from the stems. Wrap the basil leaves in a dry paper towel and place inside a plastic bag. To make the marinade, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup water in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
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Is it better to dry or freeze basil?
You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Basil needs to be washed in cold water and dried with a salad spinner. If you don’t have basil, you can use parsley, dill, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chives, or any other herb that you like.
What can I do with a large harvest of basil?
Your basil plant won’t be growing in your windowsill during the winter. You can puree basil and olive oil in a food processor and freeze it in an ice cube tray. You can either dry the leaves in the oven for a couple of hours or freeze them.
Can you freeze fresh basil for later use?
Simply chop leaves, stuff them into ice cube trays, cover with cold water, and freeze. The basil bits will turn black as soon as they thaw, but they will still taste like basil.
Basil can be stored in frozen cigars with large leaves that can hold a lot of flavor. If you don’t want to freeze your basil, you can use it straight out of the freezer. Just make sure to keep it in a cool, dark place.
How long is basil good after picked?
It will last up to 2 days when wrapped in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag. The leaves can last up to three days if you cover them with olive oil. If you want to keep them longer, you can put them in the fridge for a few hours before eating them.
How do you dry fresh basil for later use?
The best way to do this is to wash the basil leaves, dry them with a towel, and then tie them up using their stems. It will take 4 to 5 weeks to fully mature, but it is worth the wait.
If you don’t have basil, you can use parsley, mint, chives, or any other herb that you’d like to add to the mix. Just be sure to rinse the herbs thoroughly before adding them.
Can basil be frozen whole?
You have two options, you can freeze the leaves whole or slice them in a bag. If you’re going to freeze them whole, make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces so they don’t get soggy when you thaw them in the fridge.
If you want to slice them, cut the basil into small pieces and then freeze in an airtight container. The basil will keep for up to a month in your freezer, and the slices can be used in salads, soups, or as a garnish.
How do you freeze basil without turning it black?
Basil leaves need to be blanched for 2 seconds in boiling water before you can freeze them whole. The blanched basil leaves should be plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop them from drying out. Once the basil is completely frozen, remove it from the water and place it in a food processor or blender.
Add the remaining ingredients and process until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you like your basil a little sweeter, add 1/2 teaspoon of honey or agave nectar.
Should I cut the buds off basil?
The basil plant should not be allowed to flower. If a flower bud appears, cut it off above the opposing leaves. You can eat those basil buds. Try garnishing your salad or pasta dish with them, whole or in small pieces.
Are large basil leaves edible?
The leaves are used fresh to make pesto, and can be dried and used as a seasoning. It’s a favorite of ours in Italian cuisine. oil
It is also used in the preparation of pickles, pickle relishes, jellies, marinades, vinegars and pickled vegetables.
This is a very versatile herb that has a wide range of uses, from pickling to marinating to flavoring.
