Fresh Basil

[Mango]

A friend of mine gave me an enormous amount of fresh basil. Any suggestions on what to do with it? Can I freeze or dehydrate it?

Thanks!

[Queen Shelley]

Yup, chop and freeze in an ice cube tray for portion size. Then put it in a zip up bag for use later. Yup, dry it. Make lots of green salad dressings, pates, yum! :p

[exurb]

make pesto in the food processor (or with a pestle and mortar if you want the cadillac version). The basil will keep better when assimilated with oil.

You can freeze it in ice cube trays, or I find it's easier to do it in "blobs" on parchment or waxed paper, then transfer those to a bag when frozen. Keep in the freezer then use as needed.

[Mango]

Thanks for the ideas. I am going to get busy today with my basil :D .

[solarliving]

I bought 2 basil plants at home depot for $2.50 each months ago and they are still growing strong. I use them almost every day.I was buying a tiny bag at the store for $3.50 and it would just wilt in the fridge within a week. Great Herb. You can even make basil tea.

[Bethanie]

:) Now can i take the leaves off and freeze them without putting them into ice trays?
Is it possible to just put the leaves in a plastic freezer bag and then freeze them for use over the winter?
If so what preparation do i have to do to them first. I just couldn't stand to let them freeze with the weather change.
Thanks for your help.
Bethanie

[rawpriestess]

if you freeze basil it will turn black, still taste good, but be ugly

I make pesto and freeze in blobs, then use, or you can vacuum seal the pesto blobs,or you can dehydrate and crumble, or you can make the pesto stuffed mushrooms and freeze mushroom and all, this is how I used to do it, now I just freeze the pesto, and then I have it, for use in mushrooms, or in sauces, on crackers, on zucchini noodles, in salad dressing, to warm up in the dehydrator, mmmmmmmm it's excellent on tomatoes or squash too.yummy.

[Morn]

Make a big bowl of tabouli with it.