Have you planted your basil yet???
Basil is a mighty herb, easy to grow.
You can place a pot on a sunny windowsill,
and, adding some water and love,
you will be rewarded by sumptuous,
super-aromatic leaves that will add tasty flavor
to all your summer dishes.
Basil’s health benefits are found in its essential oils
that have potent antioxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial
properties.
The best way to use basil is in PESTO.
You can prepare it and keep in the fridge, covered with
olive oil for 3/4 days and use it for different purposes:
to toss it on pasta (Linguini format is advised in this case);
to spread on bruschettas;
to add to your fried chicken breast;
to give flavor to your minestrone;
to use as a dip with vegetable sticks, and so on!!!
PESTO ALLA GENOVESE
Ingredients:
2 cups of fresh, clean basil leaves
½ cup pine nuts
1 cup grated parmesan
1 crushed garlic clove
½ tsp salt
½ cup olive oil
Put in a blender basil leaves and pine nuts and chop them finely.
Add parmesan and salt and little by little the oil.
Mix to obtain a smooth sauce (you might need more oil to get there).
Transfer pesto in a glass container, cover with olive oil and keep it
in the fridge before using.
You can also change recipe, getting a slightly different flavor,
substituting the 2 basil cups with 1 cup of basil and 1 cup of fresh
spinach leaves and the half cup of pine nuts with half cup of walnuts.
