Basil
Basil is a delicate, pungent and aromatic herb widely popular all over the world, but especially associated with Italian cuisine. Basil is a great source of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium and iron. It also comes with a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Basil adds a wonderful flavor to dressings, dips, sauces, gazpacho, cheeses, pizza, salads, risottos, sandwiches and pastas and of course pesto’s. It can also be added to desserts, fruit salads, smoothies and cocktails. There are over 60 varieties of basil including Genovese basil, African blue basil, Licorice basil, Sweet basil, Lemon basil, Cinnamon basil, Red basil and so on. The most commonly used basil is called Sweet basil. The leaves are round and pointy, and belong in the mint family together with sage, rosemary, marjoram, lavender and more. Most common is green colored leaves although it is also possible to find purple shades of basil. Sweet basil should not be confused with the spicy and peppery Holy Basil (also called Tulsi) which is common in India and widely used within Ayurveda.
VOLUME: moderate-loud
FLAVOR PAIRINGS
All vegetables, almonds, amaranth, apples, apple cider vinegar, artichokes, asparagus, aubergine, avocado, bananas, beans, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, buckwheat, bulgur, cashews, capers, cauliflower, chickpeas, chives, cilantro, coconut, coconut cream, coconut yogurt, corn, couscous, cucumbers, dill, flax seeds, galangal, garlic, ginger, greens, hazelnuts, hemp seeds, herbs, honey, jicama, kaffir lime, kale, leeks, lemon, lemonbalm, lemongrass, lime, macadamia nuts, majoram, mango, millet, mint, mulberries, mushrooms, nectarines, noodles, nutritional yeast, nuts, nut cheeze, nut cream, olive oil, olives, onions, oregano, papaya, parsley, passion fruit, pasta, peaches, peanuts, peas, pecans, pepper, pineapple, pine nuts, pistachios, polenta, potatoes, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, raspberries, rice, rosemary, sage, sesame seeds, spinach, sprouts, strawberries, sunflower seeds, sun-dried tomatoes, tarragon, thyme, tofu, tomatoes, vegan cheeze, vegan feta, vegan labneh, vegan mozzarella, vegan sour cream, vegan yogurt, vegan !ce cream, vinegar, walnuts, watermelon, young coconut, zucchini.
SELECTING
You can find basil in both fresh and dried form. The fresh leaves are vibrant and green and superior in both flavor and color compared to the dried.
Dried basil is commonly irradiated. Food irradiation is a processing and preservation technique where food is exposed to doses of radiation from infrared light, microwaves or electromagnetic waves. During this procedure, the herb will loose vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Also, irradiation forms toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene, chemicals known to cause cancer. The best way to avoid irradiated food is to buy organic. Organic dried basil leaves are available in health food shops and online.
Online or at your local health food store you can also find basil essential oil which holds the essence of the plant, extracted from the leaves and sold in small bottles. Use it in a steam vaporizer or essential oil lamp to infuse the room with healing aroma. You can also add a few drops of basil oil to food or drinks, but make sure it is food grade.
HOW TO USE
Dried and fresh basil can not be used interchangeably. Whenever possible, choose fresh basil since it’s a lot more flavorful. Fresh basil is best used raw or added at the end of cooking, as heat will diminish the flavor. A sprinkle of fresh basil on top of your food is a really great way of adding flavor and upgrading the health benefits of any meal. Just like parsley stems or bay leaves, basil stems can be tossed into soups, stocks and sauces to give a nice herbaceous flavor. Make sure to remove and discard the stems before serving.
Basil leaves are very delicate and can easily bruise. The leaves will go black and loose nutrition and life force if cooked or excessively chopped, so it´s recommended to use them raw and carefully sliced. When cutting basil, use a very sharp knife and a dry cutting board and slice through only once.
If you have a basil plant at home, try pinching the flowers off before they bloom. Then your plant will continue to grow leaves. When you see the plant starting to bloom, take a few cuttings and place the stems in a glass of water. In -4 days you’ll see the stems grow roots and you can place them in soil to grow another basil plant.
STORING
Avoid chopping or washing basil until ready to use. Store wrapped in a paper towel and in a sealed plastic bag or container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that fresh basil has a short shelf life of just a few days.
Fresh basil doesn’t freeze very well. However, if you make pesto first it is fine to store in the freezer.
If you have an excessive amount of fresh basil, you can also dry the leaves whole or chopped in a dehydrator although beware that dried basil looses most of its original fragrance and flavor. Remove the stems and spread the leaves on a dehydrator tray lined with a non-stick sheet. It’s a good idea to place a mesh screen on top to prevent the herbs from flying around. Dehydrate at 35°C (95°F) until all moisture is gone and the leaves are crunchy. Dried basil is best stored in a dark tinted glass jar in a cool, dark and dry pantry for up to 6 months. For longer shelf life, keep refrigerated.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Thai basil for a spicier, more anise-like tone. Sweet basil for a milder and softer aroma. Mint for cooling freshness. Oregano or marjoram for herbal warmth. Tarragon for subtle licorice sweetness. Lemon balm for citrus brightness. Cilantro for green vibrancy.
HEALTH BENEFITS
The anti-microbial and antibiotic effect of basil leaves has shown to inhibit the growth of pathogens, meaning it can provide relief from food born illness, digestive disorders, bloating, gas, stomach cramps and IBS. One essential oil in particular, called Eugenol, has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory properties and has gained attention after proving to help with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, celiac disease and crohn’s disease. Eugenol can also help when applied topically to wounds, skin rashes, warts, insect bites and cuts as a natural disinfectant. Simply crush the leaves and mix with a bit of oil before applying to the skin.
The Beta-carotene in basil can help with respiratory disorders such as asthma and fighting off infections, colds and flu.
Basil is also a great source of magnesium which promotes cardiovascular health, relaxes muscles and increases blood circulation. It has proven to prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream, which in turn prevents atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
HISTORY
Basil grows all over the world, but originates from India, Asia and Africa.
There are several legends associated with basil, from being a royal plant to a cure to a green monster, it’s hard to tell where the name really came from
In Latin, legend has it Basiliscus was a lizard-like creature with a breath and glance that were believed to be fatal. Perhaps the herb basil was believed to be the antidote to the creature’s fatal venom and that is why the herb received the name Basil.
In ancient Greece however, the word basilikohn, means royal. This reflects the ancient Greek’s reverence of the herb, and came about because basil was an ingredient in the royal perfume.
Whether Basil gets its name from a monster, or from the royal perfume, to this day, the Latin word for monster and basil are still one and the same, Basiliscus.
