- Basil on pizza, one of the many ways to use this versitle herb.
In parts of Italy, men sport a sprig of basil on their lapel if they’re looking for love. Although an interesting fashion statement, we’ll enjoy basil as part of our healthy eats instead.
Basil Basics
The herb basil (Ocimum basilicum, Labiatae) is part of the mint family. It seems to have originated in India about 4,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks called it the “King of Herbs.” The herb gained popularity in England in the 16th century and was brought to the Americas by English explorers.
Basil can be found in different shapes, sizes, and colors — there are over 60 varieties. The most common are large-leaf Italian sweet, purple opal, Thai, lemon, tiny-leaf and African blue. Sweet Italian (a.k.a. sweet Genovese) is probably the one most recognized. The bright green leaves are rounded, have a pungent flavor that’s a cross between licorice and cloves.
The main producer in the U.S. is California, but basil is also grown commercially in India, Israel, Mexico, Yugoslavia, Italy and Morocco.
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- Giada's Parmesan-Basil Wafers
The basil plants in my garden are getting ready to explode –- in a few short weeks I’ll have bunches and bunches on my hands. Here are 5 different ways to use this fresh and flavorful herb.
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- Dana's Home-Grown Basil
They’re just tiny sprouts right now, but in a few weeks the herbs in my garden will be flourishing. Growing your own herbs is easy, and you don’ t need loads of space to do it. Start them now and enjoy them all summer long! Here are some tips to get you started.
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Pick up a few pints of cherry or grape tomatoes to make this quick dish. Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, and fresh basil, parsley and thyme add in some vitamin K and potassium. The tomatoes in this salad are gently warmed, which enhances their sweetness and makes them a nice complement to chicken, fish or scrambled eggs.
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Chances are you won’t find garlic scapes anywhere but your farmers’ market or CSA box. They’re often passed over because people may not be sure what they are. Take advantage of this local food delicacy, but act fast, the curly green shoots are only available for a short time.
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We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — herbs are an easy way to give low-cal flavor to many dishes. Better still, you add extra nutrients such as vitamins A and C, fiber and phytochemicals. Looking to explore? Here are our five favorites and ways to use them.
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These delicate wafers are the perfect companion for soup or a salad and a good alternative to a cracker. Basil and lemon add flavor and freshness. Try experimenting with other types of herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
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