Best way to preserve Basil ?

[Deleted User]

I have a basil plant that's producing more leaves that we need at the moment (we use a lot of basil during the summer but not so much in the colder months). However, I don't want those lovely leaves to go to waste but not sure about the best way to preserve them? Freezing? Drying? other ?

Can anyone offer advice? Thanks.

zebedy

I chop it and put it in a Tupperware container in the freezer and the use it in dishes direct from frozen.
Or mix chopped basil with a little olive oil and freeze in ice cube tray

[Deleted User]

zebedy wrote: »

I chop it and put it in a Tupperware container in the freezer and the use it in dishes direct from frozen.
Or mix chopped basil with a little olive oil and freeze in ice cube tray

Thank you !

Finefoot

You can also make pesto and freeze.

EpsomOldie

I agree with Finefoot - home-made pesto is lovely.

I use:

A big bunch of basil, stalks and all (from Asda for c£1.80 if you're buying)

A clove of garlic

Some pine nuts

Some grated cheese (parmesan, pecorino or even cheddar!)

Olive oil

Pepper and salt - it really needs the salt

Whizz in a food processor until gloopy. Eat fresh or freeze. Yum.

Buggins

Hi
If you cut some stems from the plant and put them in a glass of water, they will grow roots and you can have basil plants forever!
Hth:j

Chris25

you can dry it too - it doesn't take long.

Pick off individual leaves, wah & dry thoroughly. I leave mine on dry kitchen roll on top of my boiler and turn the leaves over every so often. But I know you can hang it in little bunches too.

The leaves will start to brown and look like you need to throw them away but that's ok because that's how they turn out.

After a couple of weeks they should be brittle enough to break down & store.

chadm20

Pesto is the way to go. you don't even have to mix pine nuts with it, just use roasted cashews. I use the value packet from Tesco and wash some of the salt off. then freeze your Pesto in ice cube molds.

chadm20

also remember you can use any herb for Pesto. I do a mean mint pesto which is great with lamb and stured through cuscus. my last creation was rocket Pesto. just stir through pasta for a quick meal. great on cold pasta when in a rush for work.

safestored4

Why would you want to preserve Basil? It is the easiest herb in the world to grow from seed and a single packet will keep you in new plants for a couple of years. Just keep sowing a fresh pot every couple of months for succession.