Hey there, I'm Jackie!

The Herb Series: Basil

Summer basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow during the season! It is a versatile herb that can be used in many different types of dishes, as a delicate garnish, and even ground up into a pesto sauce.

Table of Contents

Cooking

I absolutely LOVE cooking with summer basil! It is one of my favorite summer herbs and I use it on almost everything. I’ve made it into different variations of homemade pesto, used fresh with tomatoes and mozzarella, and even sauteed it with olive oil and other herbs and spices to use as a marinade for meats and fish. One of my favorite ways to use it is to chop a few leaves into small pieces and place inside a grilled cheese. I add fresh garlic and parsley as well and grill until golden brown and the cheese is super melty. It’s one of my favorite, savory simple sandwiches to make during the summer!

Harvesting

Harvesting summer basil is not as difficult as you may think! Before harvesting your basil, you want to ensure that the leaves are ready to be picked. Once the leaves are fairly large and the edges are rounded downward, you can pick your basil! To harvest without damaging new growth, simply take your thumb and pointer finger and pinch the base of the steam to remove the leaf from the stalk. If you notice your basil leaf edges are starting to curl outward, ensure you pluck immediately. At this point, the leaves are past their peak and may taste bitter when cooking.

Preserving

Preserving your summer basil is super simple. If you are like me and love to use fresh ground basil year-round, one of the easiest ways to preserve it is by drying it out and storing it in an airtight container. One of the easiest ways to dry basil is to place fresh leaves on a paper towel, cover it with another paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, until completely dry. If you find that the leaves are retaining moisture after a minute, remove the top paper towel and microwave for another 30 seconds to a minute. Once dried, place leaves in a mini food processor and pulse until ground. Transfer to an airtight container and use throughout the year.

USE YOUR KITCHEN TO CELEBRATE THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Embrace the Mediterranean culture and join me in bringing people together one spice at a time! Curated cooking classes consisting of classic Mediterranean and American meals and treats coming to you and your loved ones soon! Get ready for a cork popping, belly laughing, jovial time!