Basil is not just for the savory, but can be for the sweet as well. Don't believe us? Try it for yourself with these lemon basil bites!
Basil is one of the most distinctive and popular spices. There are more than sixty varieties of basil, each with its own subtle difference in fragrance and taste including Thai, cinnamon, lemon, and lime.
Here are a few basil basics for beginners:
- Grow basil year-round in pots indoors by a sunny window.
- Pinch back basil flowers as soon as they appear on a growing plant. The plant will become bushier, and you’ll have a greater harvest.
- Basil leaves contain several health-benefiting essential oils thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
- Chewing up a basil leaf and applying to an insect bite will help relieve the pain and itching.
- Basil tea can be helpful in relieving nausea; it’s also good when used as a gargle when you have a sore throat.
- When buying fresh basil, look for perky vibrant green leaves with no dark spots.
To store basil with stems still attached, place in a glass of water and cover with a plastic bag secured to the glass (a shower cap works well for this). Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator, changing the water each day. Basil should last about a week when stored this way. {6avqtgje}
Traditionally thought of for its starring role in savory dishes such as pesto and marinara sauce, as well as in Thai and Indian cuisine, this recipe shows the versatility of basil in these sweet, macaroon-like treats. (While you can buy dried basil in the seasonings section of the grocery store, there is a considerable difference in flavor between the two forms of the herb, and dried is not recommended in this recipe.)
