You cannot beat the taste and aroma of fresh basil. And it’s easy to grow indoors, in the garden or in pots outdoors. While there are several varieties of basil, when a recipe lists “basil”, they are talking about sweet basil unless otherwise indicated.
How to Grow:
Care
- Grow in a location with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight.
- Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart.
- Add compost to the hole.
- Mulch your outdoor plants.
- Water thoroughly as needed - DO NOT water foliage.
- Remove flower heads as they form.
- If growing indoors, place outside when overnight temps are above 50° F.
How to Use:
Oh let me count the ways! Wait, we don’t have that much time. Harvest when 3 pairs of leaves are growing on one branch. Rinse well, tear or cut to desired size.
How to Enjoy:
Baguette with Mozzarella and Tomato: one of the simplest recipes ever. Slice the baguette into 1 inch thick pieces (you can toast at 400 degrees for 8 minutes) slice fresh mozzarella to your desire (generally a ¼ inch), lay on top of baquette slice, then place a basil leaf on top of the cheese and halve cherry tomatoes to top it off. You can also simply serve on the baguette and skip the oven!
Watermelon Salad:
Chop watermelon & cantaloupe/ honeydew melon.
To chiffonade Basil: Stack 3-5 leaves, roll like a cigar and cut into strips. Toss with melon - Add together
Dressing: 2 tbsp virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup lime juice, salt to taste. Toss together & enjoy! (Blitz in blender with vodka of choice for delicious summer cooler)
Walnut Basil Pesto:
2 cups packed Basil
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup walnut pieces
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Process until fine almost smooth texture in food processor. Add 2 Tbsp. pasta cooking water before adding to pasta. Toss & enjoy.
Flirtonic:
5 parts tequila
5 parts tonic
6 pieces lime
3 tsp brown sugar
6 leaves Basil
Crush lime in sugar in glass add basil & bruise leaves. Fill glass with ice. Add equal parts tequila & tonic - garnish with lime and basil.
The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!
