Air-drying basil is a really simple and easy way to preserve this yummy herb. Thai Holy Basil is one of many varieties of holy basil or Tulsi as it’s known in India with a distinctive aroma. Bake at the low heat for approximately 20 minutes. As soon as the basil has wilted, immediately transfer it to the ice water. Native to the tropical regions of southeast Asia, Thai basil prefers full sun, warm conditions similar to the sweet basil commonly grown in gardens and kitchen windowsills. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Flash freezing is a simple method of freezing basil because it has few steps and takes … I buy it at the Asian grocery and it seems to wilt beyond usability in 1-2 days. Leda Meredith is a food writer and certified botanist who has written five books on foraging and preserving food. Fortunately, there are other, better ways to preserve it, including freezing. Keep it traditional with this sage and sausage dressing. Using a dehydrator or simply preserving the foliage by air drying in a warm, dry well ventilated room for a week or so is a … Ocimum tenuiflorum is sharp and peppery, with perhaps a touch of lemon.. This shouldn't take more than a few seconds. To keep basil perky for more than a few meals, trim the stems as you would flowers to remove dried-up ends, then stick the bunch in a tall glass of water. And it's a great way to preserve Thai basil and get the most out of it. I want to harvest, preserve and use as much of it as possible. Thai basil’s roots grow almost at the same rate as its leaves and stems do. What you'll end up with is a pesto "pancake" from which you can break off just what you need. I like to freeze our Basil leaves. Image: drewwest75. 4. Thai basil — do not use as you would Genovese basil. Cutting a turkey into parts is the easiest way to make sure that both the breast and the leg meat come out cooked evenly and to the correct temperature. Once the water is boiling, dip your bunch of basil into it. A perfect accompaniment for turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Lemon basil: This specialty basil … For the greenest, freshest seeming basil: quickly blanch the basil in boiling salt water for 15 seconds, drain it, and dunk it into ice water to cool it quickly (this sets the green color; see How to Blanch for … Loosely cover the basil with a … The solution is to blanch the basil before freezing as blanching kills off those decomposing enzymes. You don't want to ... As soon as the basil … Once the water is boiling, dip your bunch of basil into it just until the basil wilts. There were not a lot of … The main requirement is time - it takes about 4 weeks for basil to dry properly. Each cube will be approximately 1 tablespoon of basil oil or pesto. Andrea Heps says. Seal the basil in a zip-close bag and put it in the fridge. Blanching the basil brings out the oils from the leaves, giving you a deeper and strong basil flavor. The best way to freeze fresh herbs is to chop them finely, then combine them with water and freeze them in an ice cube tray. Dry it. Tip: spread the leaves thinly in the bags and store flat. Wrap Basil in a damp paper towel or place it in a tall glass with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Instructions Using a blender or food processor, add basil leaves, ginger, garlic, peppers, salt & pepper, cashews, sesame oil, and lemon juice. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Once frozen, remove from the tray … I love to cook Asian food, and Thai is one of my favorites. 3 Spread … Place in the freezer this way (horizontal). Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest recipes and tips! Before you throw it in the freezer, … How to blanch & freeze basil leaves: Wash & dry basil leaves. It’s the one method I’ve found that has the Basil leaves tasting just like they were freshly picked off the … Combine some with sea or kosher salt, a few pulses in a coffee grinder/food processor, then dry it in a low temp oven (about 200 degrees) for about 30-40 minutes … This is because the enzymes that decompose fresh plant material can survive freezing temperatures and work on the food even while it is in the freezer. Wrapping the leaves in paper towels helps to regulate the moisture content and keep the basil from getting either too dry or too moist. Instead of bringing it indoors here are some options for how you can preserve basil. :D. Reply. Quickly Freezing Fresh Basil Clip the leaves from the stems. You could make some Thai basil salt. Have a big bowl of ice water ready. That said, it is also pungent when dried. Classic Sage and Sausage Stuffing (Dressing). However, if you stick a bunch of fresh basil into the freezer, it will be discolored and mushy when it thaws. Keep an eye on your basil to avoid burning it. Is there any way to keep it fresh for … Pulse a few times. Put in just enough to cover the surface of the bag when it is flat on the counter. How to grow indoors. Rinse and thoroughly dry basil leaves before using. One of the spices I need to use most is THAI BASIL. After about 12 … Perfect recipe for all the Thai Basil I've been growing. After you've blanched, chilled, and patted your basil dry, strip the leaves from the stems. Make sure the stems are covered by the water but not the leaves. Have a big bowl of ice water ready. Any suggestions?! If you know your bunch of basil isn't going to hang on much longer or you just want to preserve the sweet taste of summer, freezing is the way to go. Pat the blanched basil dry. Basil can also be preserved in oil or frozen to maximize … I've tried putting it in water like I do with other herbs and that does not work. If you're looking for a good way to preserve basil immediately check out my Basil … July 17, 2016 at 9:24 pm. Flash Freeze. You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Slide the rolled-up basil … Or simply use the blanched leaves to make your favorite pesto recipe before freezing. Thanks!! How to Preserve Basil by Freezing OK, now we’re talking. I've made this recipe a couple … My garden is overflowing with fragrant Thai basil. Put fresh basil leaves into a colander that fits into the pot (it’s important to have the basil … Strip the leaves from the stems and transfer to freezer bags and freeze. Plunge the fresh leaves into boiling water for 15 seconds, then place them immediately into ice water to stop … I was hoping for a few recipes for Asian-inspired pestos and sauces that I could freeze and use all winter. If you'd rather have pre-measured portions, use small containers—or better yet, an ice cube tray. Purple basil: Pungent and licoricelike, this basil possesses glossy, burgundy leaves. Thai Basil is only available fresh. This eliminates the residual heat that would otherwise continue cooking the basil. Genovese basil: This type of sweet basil has a vibrant clove flavor and crinkled, curled leaves. How Long Can Food Be Frozen and Stored in Freezer? Thai basil … I've never seen it offered in dry form, and when I freeze … Store Fresh Cut Basil – make it last in your kitchen for a couple of weeks Hang Basil to Dry Dry Basil in the … Tear off some leaves near the end if necessary. To blanch fresh basil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Thai basil: Also called anise basil, this small-leaf variety boasts a strong licorice flavor. Put them in a blender or food processor and puree, adding enough extra-virgin olive oil to make a smooth, somewhat liquid paste. Fresh basil is one of the tastiest and most useful herbs, but it doesn't keep its color and flavor well when dried. Worse yet, it only lasts a few days in the refrigerator. But I hate to not use the leaves, so I did some searching around the internet for a way to preserve Thai basil. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. 2 Rinse the leaves thoroughly. then you can put the cubes in a plastic bag and take them out a few at a time to … First, make sure you give your plants enough water (daily) and sunlight (more than 6 hours of a day). Gently stick the basil into the water. How do you keep Basil plants alive? Thai basil is usually used fresh, preferably soon after harvesting, but you can also chop it up or run it through a food processor and freeze in ice cube trays. Arrange it as if you arrange a bunch of flowers. While blender or food … If your Thai basil … If you like cooking with dried basil, say goodbye to the jars in the spice aisle, because now is … The Easiest Way to Harvest and Preserve Fresh Grape Leaves, 27 Basil Recipes Featuring the Fresh Summer Herb. So, if the pot isn’t big enough, at some point your plant’s roots will bump into the wall of the container. Add the oil or pesto, cover, and freeze, then pop out the cubes and transfer them to freezer containers (or freezer bags). Too much competition can weaken basil plants, use a big pot … Pour or spoon your basil oil or pesto into freezer bags. The Talk forum is closed - check out our Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter accounts instead. Basil is best used fresh. This will enable you to break off just what you need when you want to use some—but not all—of a bag of frozen herbs. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, The Best Ways to Store and Preserve Cilantro. 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