What to do with a boatload of fresh basil????!!!

C

cheezz

Well-known member
HELP! I have a friend who grows basil and when I asked for a couple sprigs, he gave me a bushel! I've planted a pot outside, have some in a vase inside (smells heavenly!) and a big bag in the fridge. All I wanted was enough to make a little bruschetta... so, outside of throwing it in pasta sauces, are there some ideas out there??

Can I dry it? Freeze it?

 
Make a boatload of pesto...

Stop short of adding the cheese.

Freeze in ice cube trays, then pop the cubes into a zip lock baggie. Now you have pesto to last the winter. Just defrost however many cubes you want, add cheese and use!

 
I tend to just stuff the FP full of basil,

add a bunch of sliced fresh garlic, grind in a bunch of pepper and add some kosher salt and handfuls of toasted walnuts. Run processor...dribble in olive oil until you have a consistency you like.

Taste for seasoning. Add more s&p if desired, or garlic.

If freezing, place in cube trays or plastic bags at this point. Cover trays with plastic to freeze so you keep out as much air as possible. Air will darken the pesto.

If using right away, add grated parmesan or romano and process until mixed in.

Anyone else want to give her a "real" recipe?

 
Drying is easy. Place washed indvidual leaves on a cookie rack suspended above a cookie sheet >

with paper towel below. Let air dry several days until leaves are "crunchy." Rub between hands & put in jars.

 
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