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
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.
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.
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.
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
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