How do you cook fresh basil?

How do you cook fresh basil leaves?

Here are some other everyday ways to use it:

1. Top whole leaves onto pizza.
2. Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
3. Blend it into sauces.
4. Puree it into soups.
5. Chop it up to add to a salad.
6. Use it to garnish avocado toast.
7. Turn it into an ice cream topping!

Are you supposed to cook basil?

Holy basil is best cooked (it can be bitter when raw), but purple basil is best raw as that pretty purple color turns black when cooked. … It’s best to start by mixing these varieties with sweet basil until you know how the flavors will affect your favorite recipes.

How long do you cook basil?

Place basil leaves on a baking sheet, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. Depending on the amount of basil you have, you might need a few baking sheets. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until basil leaves are dried and can easily crumble.

Do you add fresh basil to a pizza before or after cooking?

Fresh basil should go on pizza after it’s baked, not before. Dried basil can go on before and/or after baking.

Can you boil basil leaves?

Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add basil, making sure leaves are submerged; blanch for five seconds. Drain in a strainer and immediately plunge basil into a bowl of ice water. Drain well and squeeze dry.

How do you make basil more flavorful?

To keep your basil tastiest, prune the blossoms from the end of each stem before the flowers dry out. Basil has a tendency to grow very bitter tasting leaves if the flowers are allowed to mature to seed. Overwatering or under watering your basil can also lead to bad tasting leaves.

What is the best way to dry basil?

Here are a few tips about the basic method: Microwave on High in three bursts: Place the basil leaves on a plate between two towels. Cook for 45 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 30 seconds again. The basil leaves should look shriveled and be mostly dry.

What is the best way to preserve fresh basil?

Remove basil leaves from the stem and toss them in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer the leaves to a bowl of ice cold water. Dry the leaves completely and store basil leaves in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.