Thai Basil

Author: Sandra Jones   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: herbs

Thai food is by far one of my favorite cuisines, and Thai Basil is one of my favorite types of basil. Thai Basil looks a lot different than Sweet Basil. It has small narrow leaves, purple stems, and pink-purple flowers. I still have a very nice Thai Basil plant that I planted in a medium-sized pot this Spring that is still growing strong right now – that is, until our first frost hits here in Texas shortly. That means I have to make full use of my Thai Basil now!

As a personal chef I really like the way Thai Basil holds up in cooking. It’s great in recipes because its sturdy leaves stand up well under high or extended cooking temperatures, unlike Sweet Basil, which wilts under the same type of heat.

Here are a few links to some of my favorite type of recipes using Thai Basil. Of course, I always change a thing or two to suit my own tastes, but these recipes all have the Thai flavors that I love.

Recipes Using Thai Basil:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-thai-basil-chicken

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/213947/panang-curry-with-chicken/

http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016835-pad-kee-mao

Thai Basil 4Of course, all types of basil are best when use fresh, but there is a way to prolong using basil a couple more months into the winter. I plan to run some of it through a food processor and freeze it in ice trays. It will be good for a couple of months in the freezer. Once it freezes, I’ll just pop it out of the ice trays and place in freezer ziplock bags to use in some Thai soup recipes.

I’ve also included a couple of links where you can purchase Thai Basil, Holy Basil and all types of gardening seeds. Amazingly, there are at least 100 different varieties of basil. Pine Tree Garden Seeds and Rare Seeds are excellent sites. I am also going to order some Holy Basil for planting next Spring. Basil is so easy to grow in a pot and I encourage you to give it a try. Holy Basil is not as easy to find here in the U.S. as Sweet Basil is, so it’s a lot easier to just order it.

For you serious Thai food lovers, there are three types of basil that are commonly used in Thai cuisine.

Thai Basil – used throughout Southeast Asia and also a lot in Vietnamese cuisine and used a lot in Western kitchens. It can best be described as anise, licorice-like, and a little spicy.

Holy Basil – has a spicy, peppery, clove-like taste and Thai people love this basil probably the most. It’s used in India for culinary, medicinal and also for religious purposes.

Lemon Basil – has undertones of lemon in both scent and taste

Sources for Seeds

http://www.superseeds.com/collections/herbs/basil

http://www.rareseeds.com/store/herbs/herbs-a-e/

https://happydiyhome.com/bell-pepper-plant/

Health Benefits of Basil

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/basil-herb.html

Herb Pesto

Author: Sandra Jones   |   1 Comment   |   Categories: cooking tips • herbs • Recipes   |   Tags: • • • • • •

I’ve said before that even if you don’t have a green thumb, growing herbs is easy and fun to do. A sunny kitchen windowsill is a great place to grow herbs if you don’t have garden space. I like to grow basil and thyme in little terra cotta pots in my kitchen since I use these two herbs most and its convenient to have them near when I’m cooking. This year our garden has an abundance of herbs and since people always ask me how to preserve herbs I’ll share some quick and easy ideas and recipes.

imageimageMaking pesto is the perfect way to use up those herbs. I love any kind of pesto and having a variety of fresh herbs on hand lets me get creative. You’re probably familiar with basil pesto but did you know that parsley, mint, oregano, cilantro, and oregano can be used to make pesto? Not crazy about pine nuts? Use almonds, walnuts or pecans instead. Here are a couple of simple recipes for adaptable pestos that can be used on grilled fish, chicken, roasted vegetables and steaks. I also like to flavor mashed potatoes and soups with pesto and I’ve been known to dip my french fries in basil pesto too.

Herb Pesto

  • Fresh Mint Pesto
  • 2 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup almonds (toasted)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh Herb Pesto
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed torn basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley
  • 2 tbsp oregano leaves
  • 1 tbsp rosemary leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts (toasted)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. Process: Add everything to your processor and whirl it around until it has a thick paste-like consistency. I like mine on the chunky side but you may like it smoother. If it’s too thick , add a bit of water.

 

Pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays and added to other recipes long after herb growing season is over. Just fill ice cube trays, freeze, then pop into a plastic baggy to store in the freezer.

It’s Basil Week!

Author: Sandra Jones   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: gardening • herbs

If I had to choose just a few herbs to have in my kitchen, basil would definitely be on my short list of herbs to have available.  Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow both indoors and out, and is also considered the “ premiere culinary herb”.

As a Personal  Chef,  I use basil in tons of dishes, and my clients especially love it when I use basil or other fresh herbs from my garden.  Basil combines very well with rosemary and thyme in meat dishes, fish, vegetables, cheese, soup and eggs and is also one of the main ingredients in pesto, along with pine nuts and parmesan cheese.

pickingbasil1

pickingbasil2

The basil photos you see are from my spring/summer garden. I’m growing  Sweet Genovese Basil which is excellent in Italian dishes, but is also good  in many other things.  One of my favorite things to enjoy basil in is smoothies, believe it or not.

Speaking of smoothies and basil, I recently had an amazing “BASIL BOMBSHELL” which is the name of a smoothie I get from Luca’s on Sunset in LA when I am visiting my daughter.  As a matter of fact, I was just at Luca’s this past Saturday with my best chef Buddy and partner in crime,  Chef Sevilla Riley  www.chefsevilla.com and my daughter Adrienne. I think this was close to my 10th visit there with Adrienne for either a smoothie or some other healthy drink. Luca, in the photo below is the owner and is so down to earth.  Luca  makes everyone feel welcome. If you enjoy a delicious healthy smoothie, check out Luca’s when you are in LA. I told Luca I would send him a shout out.  Here’s a link with a list of smoothies and other drinks. They will also let you choose other things in your drinks and they have healthy options.

luca

www.lucaonsunset.com/Menu.html

Stop by, ask for Luca , and tell him Sandra and Adrienne sent you!

VARIETIES OF BASIL

There are well over 60 to 100 varieties of basil; however, they all fall into three main types:  sweet, purple and bush.  Each offers a subtle difference in taste; and varieties such as lemon, anise, and cinnamon basil give you can easily modify and enhance a recipe .  It only takes a few leaves to transform a simple dish – even a sandwich.   I am in the process of discovering many more varieties and plan to grow a number of other varieties.  I’ve had great success with Thai Basil too.

If you are a basil lover like me, then you’ll really like this site with photos of many varieties of basil.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=varieites+of+basil&qpvt=varieites+of+basil&FORM=IGRE

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BASIL

Basil is also considered one of the healthiest herbs.  Of course best when fresh, basil exudes a sweet, earthy aroma.

  • Skin and Hair Health – When used as a skin and hair moisturizer, the essential oils of basil enhance the luster of dull looking skin and hair. Basil is also effective in treating acne and psoriasis.
  • Basil is full of Vitamin K which is essential for blood clotting
  • Also includes iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C and potassium
  • Vitamin A – which contains beta-carotene, powerful antioxidants that protect the cells lining a
  • Immune System – evidence shows that the antioxidants and volatile oils in basil make it of great assistance to the immune system.
  • Topically – basil leave may eliminate bacterial infections, while enjoying basil in food can help combat viral infections, including colds and flu.
  • Digestive tract health – anti-flammatory food providing important healing benefits as well as relief from inflammatory bowel conditions.  Can also provide immediate relief from the gas in your stomach and intestines, treat constipation, stomach cramps, indigestion and flatulence.
  • Bone and Connective Tissue
    The essential oil of basil contains a liquid called eugenol, which can inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme which causes swelling in joints and bones among other places. Aspirin and ibuprofen work by blocking the same enzyme. This enzyme-inhibiting power makes basil an anti-inflammatory food that can heal and give relief for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Easy Basil Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

10 Varieties of Basil and Their Uses

I hope you enjoyed my basil journey.  Stay tuned for more garden adventures.

10 Varieties of Basil and Their Uses

Author: Sandra Jones   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: gardening • herbs

Who knew basil came is so many different varieties! Amazing fragrances like cinnamon, lemon, and lime and beautiful colors from bright green to deep purple. Whether you’re using it for landscaping or to accent your favorite foods and beverages, you’re sure to find a variety of basil that’s your favorite.

basil1

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