Garden Fresh Basil Oil – How to Make Your Own
When summer’s produce is taking over the land, this garden fresh basil oil is a great way to use up the bounty! Easy to make and full of summer’s green goodness, this recipe will become an annual tradition.
Use basil oil as a dipping oil with bread, or as a way to add some flavor to your favorite fish or pasta. You’ll find more uses for the basil oil after you’ve tasted it and fallen in love.
Our garden has provided us with almost more basil than we can rightfully use. I say “almost” because I’m not sure there is such a thing as too much basil!
I only have a single sweet basil plant, and this summer it has gone into over drive producing those yummy leaves!
I like to add some snipped basil to fresh salads and on top of pizza or pasta. I think my favorite basil recipe is making a simple salad with fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
This morning’s harvest filled a huge colander with leaves and stems. It was more than I was going to be able to use in a salad!
I needed to find a recipe that would allow me to preserve some of the basil for use later on, like when winter has a hold on us. The obvious solution is pesto – but guess what, I didn’t have any nuts or fresh Parmesan cheese. And I didn’t want to run to the grocery.
So after a little searching, I found the answer: Fresh Garden Basil Oil.
Easy to make and stores for months in the freezer. Ta-Daa!
Make It a Meal:
This garden fresh basil oil can be used to dress your favorite pasta. Add some vinegar and use as a salad dressing. Drizzle over grilled chicken or fish.
Roasted chicken, coffee rubbed pork, green bean salad or garden bounty salads would all benefit from a bit of this garden fresh basil oil.
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When summer evenings are too hot for cooking, I like to put together a snack tray that includes cheese, meat and veggies with a bit of bread on the side. This basil oil is perfect for adding some flavor when used for dipping.
Storage:
Basil oil keeps well on the kitchen counter if you’re going to be using it within a couple of hours. I store it in the refrigerator for use during the week. It also freezes and can be stored for use up to 9 months.
I placed my garden fresh basil oil in canning jars for storage and added a label with the name of the contents and the month/year made. This will make a great gift item for somebody.
Fresh Garden Basil Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
Basil and Olive oil
Recipe Directions:
Pick the basil, blanch in boiling water. Chill the leaves and dry before adding to blender with out. Pulse.
Garden Fresh Basil Oil
A simple and delicious way to save summer's fresh basil for use later in the year.
Ingredients
- 4 cup Basil
- 2 cup Olive Oil
- 4 quart Water divided in half
- 24 Ice Cubes
Instructions
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Collect fresh basil leaves from the garden or purchase at your farmer's market or grocer.
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Blanch leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds.
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Chill leaves in ice water after removing from the boiling water.
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Pat dry using paper towels.
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Place basil leaves in blender with olive oil. (a food processor works as well)
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Whirl in the blender on "pulse" setting until leaves are minced.
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Serve with bread as a dipping oil. You may want to sprinkle with salt to taste.
Step by step process photos:
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 16, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217, Fat: 25g, Cholesterol: 0g, Sodium: 0mg, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g
(please remember these are approximate and will vary slightly based on your ingredient selections.)
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