It is believed that basil is an anti-stress herb, a spice that improves mood and tone, preserves a sound mind and a solid memory. It is a spice for a great appetite. Many culinary experts call him the king of aromatic herbs. This statement is one hundred percent correct, because from the Greek language "basil" means "emperor".
Instructions
Step 1
When to procure. Leaves and twigs are collected from the basil before flowering (somewhere in late July, early August). Then they are dried or consumed fresh. The taste of this herb gives off bitterness, but with a sweet aftertaste. By smell, the leaves of different varieties have cinnamon, lemon, mustard aromas and many others.
Step 2
Cooking applications. Basil is good to add to omelets, butter for sandwiches, curd. In salads, such as "Greek" and first courses, this spice especially reveals all its notes. They will be great friends with beans, peas, beans, tomatoes, spinach in various dishes. In preparations for the winter of tomatoes, cucumbers, porcini mushrooms, zucchini, blue and bell peppers, basil will create an excellent flavor composition. Fresh basil leaves perfectly set off the taste of pizza and pasta. If you add 2-3 sprigs of basil to vinegar, leave in a dark place for several days, and then add this vinegar to salads and white sauces, this will give them a piquant taste. Basil addition rates. One serving is enough 0.5-1 tbsp. l. fresh leaves and 1/5 tsp. dried leaves. In the first courses, boiled and fried dishes, "imperial grass" is added 5-10 minutes until fully cooked, in minced meat and fish during kneading.
Step 3
How to store. Dried basil, like all spices, must be stored in an opaque glass or porcelain dish with a tight-fitting lid.
Step 4
Caution! Despite all the advantages of the "imperial herb", caution should be exercised when using this spice, since the plant contains mercury compounds. Despite the fact that these substances have antimicrobial properties, in large doses they are harmful to the health of people with epilepsy, heart disease and for women at all stages of pregnancy. It is also worth using it with caution for those who suffer from diabetes, hypertension, thrombophlebitis and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
