Basil is a very rich plant with interesting purple leaves, although there are varieties with green leaves. No wonder it is called "royal grass" - basil leaves have a very stable aroma and unexpectedly oily taste (fat content - 2%).
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Different varieties of basil smell differently: some have a mint, cinnamon aroma, some give bay leaf and cloves. And the Yerevan basil smells of tea and allspice.
Basil flavor is well and permanently stored in a dried plant, especially if the dry leaves of basil are stored properly - in an airtight container without access of air and water.
Wonderful aromatic properties made basil a common seasoning in Europe. Italian cuisine is generally impossible to imagine without a basil. In Russia, this spice is not so common. Because not everyone knows how to use it in cooking.
In cooking, basil can be used both fresh and dried. Moreover, you can use all the terrestrial parts of the plant - leaves, stems, seeds. Fresh basil is of the greatest value - the content of vitamins and nutrients is maximum. It is added to fresh vitamin salads. Sprinkle with fresh finely chopped basil soups, pasta, fried fish, egg dishes, pizza.
The main rule when using this herb is not to overdo it, otherwise you can spoil the dish. And yet - you need to add basil to the dish at the very end, when cooked food has already been removed from the fire.
Fresh basil can be added to ready-made sauces - in mayonnaise, ketchup and others. Improved in this way sauces diversify the daily menu.
Basil seeds also find their application in cooking - they can be added to soup, in main dishes, dressing salads.
It’s a good idea to use basil to flavor vinegar. To do this, basil leaves are simply placed in a bottle of vinegar. Raw vegetable salad seasoned with such “basil” vinegar acquires an unusual pleasant taste.
Some housewives prefer salted dried basil. Salting basil is very simple. Put chopped basil in jars, pouring salt. For every 100 grams of basil, you need 20 grams of salt. It is recommended to store basil salted in this way in the refrigerator.
And finally, the recipe for the simplest salad with fresh basil. Slice fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and basil. Add diced mozzarella cheese and olives. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with lemon juice and season with sunflower oil.