Basil Through the Ages Basic Basil Botany Growing Tips Creating Culinary Delights Activities for Growing Classrooms

Creating Culinary Delights

Like most herbs, the flavor of the leaves are best fresh. Here are some suggestions for classroom-friendly recipes and other ways to preserve your basil's flavors.

Summer Sandwiches
On slices of Italian bread, place homegrown tomato slices, fresh basil leaves, and a dash of good olive oil.

Pesto (an Italian dish meaning "paste")
Blend these ingredients in a blender or food processor, then serve over hot pasta (or use to flavor soups): 1 1/2 cups basil, 1/4+ cups olive oil, 1/4+ cups parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup ground almonds or pinenuts, 2 cloves garlic.

Basil Butter
Cream together one stick of unsalted butter and 1 to 3 tablespoons of dried, crushed basil or 2 to 6 tablespoons of fresh, minced basil. Place in a covered container or roll into a cylinder-shape and refrigerate for at least an hour before using on bread.

Basil Vinegar
Heat white or white wine vinegar in an enamel pan just to simmering, then turn off and pour it into a bottle. Add one cup of fresh basil leaves to two cups of vinegar. (Purple basil lends a pretty color.) Let set for 2 weeks before using in salads or salad dressings.

Preserving the Flavor
If you have any basil left at the end of the growing season consider drying the leaves. To dry basil, cut the entire plant and hang on a string in a well ventilated room. When dry, just pluck the leaves from the stems and store in airtight jars out of direct light. You can also freeze fresh basil by pureeing leaves with a small amount of water in a blender or food processor. Pour the pureed basil into ice cube trays and freeze, then store cubes in freezer bags.

More Culinary Activities