Bright and lush basil bushes are good on the beds of a summer cottage, in a greenhouse or at home on a windowsill. Many housewives, knowing the usefulness of this plant, ask questions: how to preserve the aroma and exquisite taste of the plant for a long time? In what ways do housewives prepare this healthy spice so that it is always at hand?
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 various oils such as camphor, ocimene, 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, so in our country it grows only in the central and southern parts. Modern housewives, knowing the usefulness of basil, stock it up for the winter, using different storage methods.
Short-term storage of basil in the refrigerator using conventional methods
First way:
- Carefully sort through the basil leaves, removing wilted and damaged ones.
- Wrap the herbs in a damp towel and place in a plastic container.
- Place the dishes with the plant in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
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. The 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 spread them on a cloth or paper towel to dry.
- After half an hour, place the basil in the freezer in trays or bags.
Freeze blanched basil
- Dry the washed leaves.
- Place the plant in boiling water for a maximum of 10 seconds (do not overdo the basil in boiling water to avoid overcooking the plant).
- Transfer the plant to a container of ice water.
- Remove the leaves and place them on a paper towel.
- Place the basil on a plastic tray or board and place in a freezer marque.
- After an hour, fold the frozen plant into bags and place in the freezer for long-term storage.
Freezing basil puree at home
- Pour the basil leaves into a container with cool water, after 10 minutes, remove 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.
- Arrange the prepared gruel in ice molds, freeze and remove the finished cubes in plastic bags, folding them into the freezer.
Easy ways to dry basil
The first method is air drying:
- Tear off the leaves of the plant and arrange them in a single layer on paper.
- Dry the basil for 2-3 days in a shady, dry place with good ventilation.
- Fold dry leaves into a container and seal tightly.
- Basil can be dried with twigs, tie the plant in small bunches and hang until dry.
The second method is microwave drying:
- Separate the washed dry leaves of the plant from the twigs.
- Divide the basil into a single layer on a plate without gold borders.
- Microwave for 3-5 minutes at 700W.
- Remove the dried plant from the microwave and cool it down.
- Chop the leaves and place in a transparent container with an airtight lid.
Step-by-step easy basil pasta recipe
This blank is suitable for making sauces, adding to vegetables and seafood.
Ingredients:
- Basil mixture - 1 bunch;
- olive oil - 60 ml.;
- salt - 2 tablespoons
Preparation:
- Wash the herbs, put in a blender, add olive oil and salt.
- Whisk at maximum speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Spread the finished pasta in jars, leveling with a spoon, pour a little oil on top (so that air does not penetrate into the dish).
- Close the jars with sterilized lids and store in the refrigerator. Shelf life 2-3 months.
An easy and simple recipe for celery, basil and parsley seasoning
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.
Preparation:
- Rinse and dry all greens thoroughly. Pass all ingredients through a meat grinder along with pepper and garlic.
- Add suneli hops and salt to the mashed mixture and mix everything.
- Roll up the prepared seasoning in sterilized jars.
Tasty and original preparation of basil with nuts
The value of this recipe is that when you mix the blank with grated cheese, you get an extraordinary pesto sauce.
Ingredients:
- Basil - 1 bunch;
- walnut - 5-7 pieces;
- garlic - 3-4 cloves;
- olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Preparation:
- Pass the garlic through a press, chop the walnuts. Turn the basil into a paste using a blender.
- Stir all ingredients with olive oil. Put the finished workpiece in jars and sterilize in a water bath.
An interesting and successful recipe for making basil jam
Ingredients:
- Green basil - 6 bunches;
- cane sugar - 1 kg;
- water - 500 ml;
- pectin - 1 sachet;
- lemons - 6 pcs.
Preparation:
- Bring water to a boil and dissolve sugar in it. While stirring, add 1 lemon, cut into slices. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and stir the basil leaves in the syrup.
- Boil the mixture for 30 minutes, add lemon juice and pectin, stirring, continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
- Add lemon zest to the preparation and cook for 2, 5 hours until the mass thickens.
- Strain the finished dish and roll it up in sterilized jars.
