Bright and lush bushes of the basil are good on the beds of a summer cottage, in a greenhouse or at home on the windowsill. Many housewives, knowing the usefulness of this plant, ask themselves questions: how to preserve the aroma and refined taste of the plant for a long time? In what ways do housewives harvest this useful spice so that it is always at hand?
Pick your recipe
There are two main types of basil: green and purple. The first is widespread within central Europe, and the second - in central Asia. This plant contains in its composition various oils such as camphor, octimene, cineole, saponins and tannins. Basil is added as a spice in the preparation of meat, vegetable, fish dishes, various dressings and sauces. The vitamin composition of this plant is also rich: sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins of groups A and C, proteins, a small amount of carbohydrates and fiber. The plant is sensitive to frost, therefore, in our country, it grows only in the central and southern parts. Modern housewives, knowing the usefulness of basil, stockpile it for the winter, I use different storage methods.
Short-term storage of basil in the refrigerator in the usual way
First way:
- Carefully sort out the basil leaves, removing the wilted and damaged ones.
- Wrap greens in a damp towel and place in a plastic container.
- Store dishes with the plant in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
The second way:
- Place the basil sprigs in a container of water.
- Cover the plant with a plastic bag;
- Place the plant in a refrigerator or cool place.
- Change the water once a day. Greens will remain in excellent condition for 7-10 days.
Step-by-step recipes for freezing basil for the winter
Freezing fresh leaves:
- Wash the leaves of the plant and distribute them on a cloth or paper towel - to dry.
- After half an hour, place the basil in the freezer, folding it in trays or bags.
Blanched basil freezing
- Dry the washed leaves.
- Place the plant in boiling water for a maximum of 10 seconds (do not overheat the basil in boiling water to avoid the plant digesting).
- Transfer the plant to a container of ice water.
- Take out the leaves and lay them on a paper towel.
- Lay the basil on a plastic tray or board and put it in the freezer.
- After an hour, fold the frozen plant in bags and place for long-term storage in the freezer.
Freezing basil puree at home
- Pour the basil leaves in a container with cool water, after 10 minutes, take out the plant and dry it.
- Place the leaves in a blender, drizzle with olive oil and chop. Add a little water to the finished mixture.
- Put the prepared slurry into ice molds, freeze and put the finished cubes in plastic bags, folding them in the freezer.
Simple Basil Drying Methods
The first way is air drying:
- Tear off the leaves of the plant and lay them in a single layer on paper.
- Dry the basil for 2-3 days in a shady and dry place, with good ventilation.
- Fold dry leaves in a container and close hermetically.
- Basil can be dried with branches, tie the plant in small bunches and hang them until completely dry.
The second way is microwave drying:
- Separate the washed dry leaves of the plant from the twigs.
- Lay the basil on a plate with no gold borders in one layer.
- Put in the microwave for 3-5 minutes at a power of 700W.
- Remove the dried plant from the microwave and cool it.
- Grind the leaves and put them in a transparent container with a sealed lid.
Basil easy step by step recipe
This preparation is suitable for making sauces, gravy for vegetables and seafood.
Ingredients:
- A mixture of basil - 1 bunch;
- olive oil - 60 ml.;
- salt - 2 tbsp.
Cooking:
- Wash greens, fold in a blender, add olive oil and salt.
- Beat at maximum speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Arrange the prepared pasta in jars, leveling with a spoon, pour a little oil on top (so that air does not penetrate into the dish).
- Close cans with sterilized lids and store in the refrigerator. Shelf life 2-3 months.
Easy and simple celery, basil and parsley seasoning recipe
This dish is combined with sour cream, mayonnaise and olive oil.
Ingredients:
- Basil - 200 grams;
- celery - 1 bunch;
- parsley 200 g;
- garlic - 3 medium heads;
- hops-suneli - 1 pack;
- bitter chili pepper - 2 pcs.;
- salt - 100g.
Cooking:
- Thoroughly rinse and dry all greens. Pass all the ingredients through a meat grinder along with pepper and garlic.
- Add the suneli hops and salt to the mashed mixture and mix everything.
- Roll the seasoning into sterilized jars.
Delicious and original harvesting of basil with nuts
The value of this recipe is that when you mix the workpiece with grated cheese, you get an unusual pesto sauce.
Ingredients:
- Basil - 1 bunch;
- walnut - 5-7 pieces;
- garlic - 3-4 cloves;
- olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Cooking:
- Pass the garlic through a press, chop walnuts. Turn the basil into a paste using a blender.
- Mix all the ingredients with olive oil. Put the finished workpiece in jars and sterilize in a water bath.