thread: Your best recipes using Basil

  1. #1
    kirsty_lee Guest

    Red face Your best recipes using Basil

    BASIL! I got my fruit and veg yesterday and they put a free bunch of basil in (random I know) but I've never cooked with it before so instead of wasting it, thought I would come on here and get some ideas! Cai, I am looking at you! lol

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    blend with pine nuts and a few other goodies and make PESTO! Simple as... it will keep in the fridge for ages and you can add to pizzas and pasta.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Victoria
    507

    When ever I am stuck for ideas I use the website "taste".

    You just type in the ingredient you want to use and it will bring up a heap of receipes that include that ingredient. So in your case just type in Basil, and see what it comes up with.

    I use basil in pasta, sauces, bruschetta, pesto.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Gippsland, Victoria
    714

    Oooohhhh basil's my fave herb!! Tomato, bocconcini and basil salad is the BEST!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Feb 2004
    Melbourne
    11,171

    Fresh basil in spaghetti, mmmmmm.

    Or in a salad like Maddisun suggested. We do similar sometimes & have basil, bocconcini & cherry tomato skewers for parties. YUUUUM!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Sydney NSW
    4,837

    Zuchinni and Basil soup! I am sure I have posted the recipe here before but if you want it again let me know.

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2009
    Kalgoorlie, WA
    729

    Asside from putting into any pasta or on pizza...

    Simple Pasta:
    2 large field/swiss brown mushrooms,
    8 slices prosciutto
    1 red capsicum
    Basil leaves (torn)
    Fettuccini
    Olive oil

    Cook pasta as per normal but don't over do it.
    Slice capsicum into 4 large slices (basically the 4 sides of the cap), and grill skin side up until skin blisters & blackens. Put immediately into a bowl & seal with plastic wrap (this steams the skin some more. rub mushrooms with oil & grill both sides well, then slice (not chop). Grill prosciutto - but be careful, it cooks quick. Break prosciutto into chunks. Peel capsicum skin & slice.

    Drain cooked pasta & put back into pot with prosciutto, mushrooms, capsicum, torn basil, and some olive oil (about 2-3tbs?). Season with salt & pepper (& chilli is you like), and mix well.

    Serve with shavings of parmesan.

    Yum!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2009
    Gold Coast
    134

    AUGH! Basil has been one of my number one cravings this pregnancy. Even reading the word makes me salivate! LOL

    I do lots of different things with it...the two main ones this week have been:

    Bruchetta: (which I can't even spell right now, but yeah )

    Chop Basil & fresh tomatoes fairly finely. Place into bowl. Pour balsamic vinegar and olive oil over - not too much, just enough to lightly marinade (more of a decent drizzle). Slice open and toast some Turkish bread lightly. Pile lots of basil/tomato mix on top, then if you want top with fresh parmesan and either eat straight away or pop under the grill for just a min or two. Yummo.

    Pasta:

    Slice one medium zuchinni, put a little olive oil in a fry pan, pop it in by itself for a few mins to give some colour. Add 2 chopped ripe tomatoes cut fairly finely, or use can of tomatoes. Few mushrooms, sliced. Handful of good olives. Sliced sundried tomatoes. Good splosh of red wine. Good serving of broken basil leaves. Simmer. Boil some pasta, drain, add a little grated parmesan or tasty or a mix to the pasta in your bowl, mix around while hot and then put the finished sauce on top. So tasty and takes 10 mins or less.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    fried eggs, cheese and basil...mmm...

    crack your eggs into a hot pan, turn down the heat a little, when they are set a little bit more, cover with grated cheese and torn basil, cover until melted.
    Serve on big thick toast with lots of butter and fried tomatoes

    soo good!

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Add Cupcake on Facebook

    Nov 2008
    North Haven, NSW
    3,474

    Bruschetta!!!

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm