Basil- friend to all lovers of flavor! This herb spans across many cuisines, and can be added to almost any dish. Don’t have a green thumb? Basil is a great way to start! And while you might think “basil is basil,” there are actually over 40 different varieties that can change up your dish in different ways. Here are a few to know:
Sweet Basil- the classic choice for Italian dishes and pesto
Lemon Basil– great added to salads, fish or iced tea!
Sweet Thai Basil– used in Asian dishes, has purple stems and green leaves
Dark Opal Basil– beautiful in color and spicy in a salad, can also be made into pesto
To Grow
All you really need is full sun (at least six hours a day), warm temperatures (about 50 degrees F night and day), and fertile soil with adequate moisture.
To Store
Store with damp paper towels a plastic bag in the refrigerator for four to five days and do not wash until you are ready to use.
Adapted from and Photo Credit: Hobby Farms
Cucumber Basil Avocado Soup
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1 cucumber
2 small bunches fresh basil
1 clove garlic
2 scallions
2 cups filtered water
1 tsp sea salt
1 lime, juiced
Method:
Blend ingredients until smooth, with a few specks of green.
From: rawbox
Featured Basil Recipes from Foodstand Posts!
Wondering how to make that inspiring post you saw on Foodstand? Here are your fellow Foodstand friends with their recipes!
Infused Basil Lime Hummus
Homemade by Tiffany
Infused Basil Lime Hummus is healthy, delicious, and easy! Serve at a party or for yourself. 🎉❤️🎄
Recipe
Ingredients:
16 oz Container of Hummus
1 Tsp Lime Juice
1 Tsp Lime Zest
2 Cups Rinsed Fresh Basil Leaves
Method:Combine all ingredients in your food processor and run on high until the basil is puréed and the mixture is an even green. Serve with vegetables, chips, and other healthy dipping foods!
From: Great Food and Lifestyle
Blueberry Basil Mojito
Homemade by Lesley Rozycki
Whipped up this cocktail the other day | Blueberry Basil Mojito made with organic vodka (yep, even booze is trying to be healthier). Full Recipe Here
Recipe
Takes 5 minutes, easy difficulty, makes one drink!
Ingredients:
2- 2 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz tonic water
1 tsp honey
2 tsp turbinado sugar
4-5 fresh lemon basil leaves
Handful of blueberries (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 lime (1/2 cut into wedges, the other 1/2 juiced)
Ice
Optional: 1 tsp chia seeds
Method:
In a highball or rocks glass, muddle the blueberries, basil, sugar, 1/2 tsp of the balsamic vinegar, and lime wedges. In a shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, lime juice, honey, tonic water, and remaining balsamic vinegar in and shake for 30 seconds. Strain and pour into your glass. Garnish with blueberries, a slice of lime, and some chia seeds.
More Basil around Foodstand!
Basil in a salad is one of my top reasons for loving summer! Ingredients: Fresh Basil, Quinoa, Salmon, Little gem lettuce, Meyer lemon Posted by: annefood
Our usual Sunday meal! This one is just a simple sauce… Ingredients: Balsalmic Vinegar, Black Pepper, Brown Sugar, Butter without Salt, Fresh Basil, Olive oil, Cherry tomatoes, Sea salt, Brown Rice Pasta, Garlic Cloves Posted by: gingerandchorizo
This basil is growing in my backyard in Astoria Queens, NYC Ingredients: Fresh basil Posted by: ladydeelg
Basil Coconut Donut from @veganlunchtruck Ingredients: Fresh Basil, Coconut milk Posted by: simran