Cooking with Basil
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Basil is a highly fragrant sweet herb with dozens of uses in the kitchen. It comes in a wide variety of types and flavors, and is quite easy to grow in the herb garden, and just as easy to use in the kitchen.
Basil's Uses
Basil is well known as a staple of Italian cooking but it has many uses in the kitchen. It is a dominant herb, much stronger than most other culinary herbs, so a little goes a long way.
When you experiment with basil (or any other herb) remember, it is easier to add than it is to subtract, so add a little before you add a lot. Use a little and taste the results before you add any more.
Basil can be used in any type of salad, even fruit salad. It adds to the flavor of vegetables and fish. It enhances the flavor of cottage and cream cheese, mushrooms, white sauce, and of course, pizza and lasagna.
Colonial Americans used it in baking, especially baked fruits, fruit pies, and cakes. It can even be used to flavor wine.
Its flavor is enhanced by heat, but it can break down under too much heat, so add it in the last minutes of cooking for the best results. You can add it within the last 30 minutes of cooking to lentil, pea, or minestrone soup with excellent results.
Remember that dried basil loses much of its flavor, so use more in your cooking if you are using the dried variety. There are die-hard basil fans that steam it and serve it as a side dish vegetable, served with butter and pepper. I can't attest to the wisdom of this!
Medicinal Uses of Basil
Basil can be used for a variety of ailments. In ancient times it was associated with poison (it is a member of the nightshade family), but it appears to act as an antidote to some unwholesome modern foods. Basil has been associated with the stomach for ages; it can also be used as an antispasmodic. It can stimulate the appetite and help a headache. In foreign countries, basil is said to aid sexuality. It is said that if a woman dusts a powder of the herb over her upper body, especially the heart area, her husband will be faithful and loving. In the United States, it is said to attract money if you carry it in your pocket.
Basil Tea Recipe
Basil tea is subtle in its taste and aroma. You can mix it with borage for added vitality. Steep 1 tsp. dried basil in 1/2 cup hot water. Drink 1 to 11/2 cups daily, a sip at a time, for the following ailments: stomach cramps, vomiting, and constipation.