Basil

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How To Store Basil - Best Easy Ways to Freeze Fresh Basil

Have you tried storing basil for the winter in a milk carton? This is just one of three good methods to store basil that are revealed below.

With the threat of frost, all garden basil must be harvested and then hopefully stored to be enjoyed during the cold months to come. Since basil has a high water content is cannot be dried like many other herbs as it will turn black and lose flavor. It will also turn black if chopped or bruised and exposed to air. Fortunately freezing basil works great.

Before describing the freezing methods, let's digress briefly. If you are growing basil yourself, then hopefully you have been harvesting and pruning all season. Pruning makes the plants fuller and keeps them from going to seed which diminishes the leaf flavors. You can store basil keeping it fresh for up to two weeks by placing the branches in a vase and keeping them on the counter out of the sun.

So let's get back to how to freeze basil. The first step for all three methods is to clean & dry the basil. First remove all leaves from the stems. If you are going to try out the second freezing method, then you will probably want to leave some of the buds intact. The stems should be discarded. Rinse the leaves thoroughly taking care not to bruise them. Finally you want to remove excess water from the leaves by using a salad spinner or laying them out on towels to dry.

The first and most common way to freeze basil is basically the start of a pesto sauce. You chop or puree the basil leaves with olive oil and a bit of salt in a food processor. Coating the basil pieces with oil protects them from air so they can maintain their color & flavor. Pour the puree into small air tight containers and add some extra olive oil on top. After defrosting the puree, re-process adding your favorite pesto ingredients.

The second method takes a little more time, but is still an easy way to freeze basil. This method keeps whole individual leaves or plant buds intact to use as garnish. Put prepared leaves & buds on trays in the freezer for about one to two hours. Once they are frozen, put them into air tight containers. Do not over crowd them; otherwise they will lose their shape. After defrosting for use, you can julienne the leaves or use them whole as garnish on pasta dishes or soups.

Now how about that milk carton? This third method is the easiest. Simply pack the leaves into a cleaned out milk carton with the top cut down.  Seal the top closed. Use quart sized cartons & then put the sealed carton inside a Ziploc baggy to make it air tight.  When you want to use the basil for cooking, cut off a slice of the carton & re-store the remainder as it was. The frozen leaves are great to use in sauces.

Hopefully you will try one (or all) of these easy ways to freeze basil. By taking time to store basil in the fall,  you can enjoy the fresh basil flavors throughout the year. Happy cooking!

Large Leaf Italian Basil Heirloom Seeds
Large Leaf Italian Basil Heirloom Seeds
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Description

For pesto no one will forget, try this sweet Basil with its large, flavorful, fragrant leaves. Your herb garden is incomplete without this versatile culinary treat. Works well in containers too. Enough seed for one 75' row.

Features

  • This is a fine heavy producing sweet basil.
  • All Basil seed light to germinate so do not cover when germinating.
  • Basil will not take any frost what so ever.
  • Fertilize basil every two weeks during the growing season
  • Enough seed for one 75' row
Genovese Sweet Basil Herb 100 Seeds -GARDEN FRESH PACK!
Genovese Sweet Basil Herb 100 Seeds -GARDEN FRESH PACK!
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Description

HERBS: Treat yourself to fresh herbs right from your garden! The difference when home grown is impressive! All are excellent for adding distinctive flavor to meat, and fish dishes, gravies, soups, salads and vegetables. They are fun to grow and make an attractive garden addition! Genovese Sweet Basil. Ocimum basilicum14-20 in.Perfect for pesto because of its concentrated flavor, the medium-large leaves have a fine, sweet fragrance. Spicy, edible flowers accent a salad. Tall, relatively uniform, slow to bolt. Sow 1-2 seeds per inch in garden when danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date. Requires warm conditions for germination and growth. Basils are very susceptible to cold soil and frosts. Harvesting tips. Pinch off flower heads to keep productive. Harvest leaves during season, entire plant first frost.Planting Depth: 1/4"-1/2"Soil Temp. for Germ.: 70-90 degrees FDays to Germ.: 6-12Plant Spacing: 8"-12"Days to Maturity: 65-75Full Sun to Part ShadeModerate Water

Features

  • Ocimum basilicum
  • 14-20 in
  • Full Sun to Part Shade
  • Days to Maturity: 65-75
  • 100 Seeds
Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds - Grow Cooking Herbs- Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Sage, More
Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds - Grow Cooking Herbs- Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Sage, More
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Description

QUALITY & QUANTITY GUARANTEE Each Packet comes with lots of seed, grow herbs indoors and outdoors! Plenty of seed to experiment with and grow a full herb garden! Our seed is also Guaranteed to grow! Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro/Coriander, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Sweet Marjoram, Chives, Savory, Garlic Chives, Mustard, Sage.

Features

  • Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro/Coriander, Basil, Dill, Oregano
  • Sweet Marjoram, Chives, Savory, Garlic Chives, Mustard, Sage.
Basil Seeds Dolce Vita Blend Certified Organic 500 Seeds
Basil Seeds Dolce Vita Blend Certified Organic 500 Seeds
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Description

Don't plant outside before your nights are above 55 degrees. This basil mix contains six different basils; Cinnamon, Genovese, Tall Lemon, Lime, Mammoth and Purple Petra. Remember basil can not stand any frost. It is the first to go in the autumn. There are enough seeds for 3 8 foot rows.

Features

  • Contains 6 different organic basil seeds
  • Cinnamon, Genovese, Tall Lemon
  • Mammoth and Purple Petra
  • Enough seeds for 3 eight foot rows
  • Ocimum basilicum var
Thai Basil Herb 100 Seeds - GARDEN FRESH PACK!
Thai Basil Herb 100 Seeds - GARDEN FRESH PACK!
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Description

HERBS: Treat yourself to fresh herbs right from your garden! The difference when home grown is impressive! All are excellent for adding distinctive flavor to meat, and fish dishes, gravies, soups, salads and vegetables. They are fun to grow and make an attractive garden addition! Thai Basil Ocimum basilicum 16-20 in. Tender Annual This Variety form Thailand is both attractive ornament as well as a culinary basil with an intensely sweet, anise-like fragrance. Leaves are green at the base of the plant becoming more purple toward the flowers. 18 in. tall by 18-24 in. wide plant. Annual. (75-80 days) Planting Depth: 1/4"-1/2" Soil Temp. for Germ.: 70-90 F Days to Germ.: 6-10 Plant Spacing: 16"-18" Days to Maturity: 75-80 Partial Shade to Full Sun Moderate Water

Features

  • Ocimum basilicum
  • 16-20 in. Tender Annual
  • Variety form Thailand is both attractive ornament as well as a culinary basil
  • 75-80 days to maturity
  • Part Shade to Full Sun
Chia Gourmet Herb Garden
Chia Gourmet Herb Garden
List Price: $18.35
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Description

The patented Chia Growing Sponge is ideal for indoor herb gardens. It provides just the right air-to-water ratio for fast germination and vigorous growth. Distinctive terra cotta pots add a richness to your hoM.D.ecor. Two bonus packets of seeds will allow you to plant your favorite gourmet mix. The patented Chia Growing Sponge makes growing herbs indoors clean, easy and fun. Easy to do and fun to grow! The herbs from your Chia Terra Cotta Herb Garden will be beautiful, fragrant and delicious. Everything you need to grow garden fresh herbs in your own home.This kit contains the following gourmet herbs: curled parsley (garnish, marinades, fines herbes mix), dill (fish dishes, pickles, sauces, garnish); chives (cheese spread, omelets, soup garnish), basil (pesto, tomato sauce, stuffing), and 2 extra herbs (cilantro and marjoram). The complete kit includes: four 3-inch terra cotta pots, four matching saucers, four plastic saucer liners, four Chia Growing Sponges, six seed packets, six plant markers, and complete, easy-to-follow instructions, recipes and helpful hints.

Features

  • One terra cotta herbal garden kit
  • Includes 3 Chia growing sponges, 3 matching saucers, 3 plastic Saucer Liners, 6 seed packets and plant markers
  • Includes easy-to-follow instructions
  • Ideal for growing indoor herb gardens
  • Includes distinctive terra cotta pots to complement home decor
Sweet Basil 100 Seeds - Herb - GARDEN FRESH PACK!
Sweet Basil 100 Seeds - Herb - GARDEN FRESH PACK!
Sale Price: $3.74
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Description

HERBS: Treat yourself to fresh herbs right from your garden! The difference when home grown is impressive! All are excellent for adding distinctive flavor to meat, and fish dishes, gravies, soups, salads and vegetables. They are fun to grow and make an attractive garden addition! * Sweet Basil The main ingredient of pesto. Use as a flavoring for tomatoes and with mild-flavored vegetables, such as squash. Excellent for flavoring veal and lamb. The main ingredient of pesto. Annual. Ht. 12-18".

Genovese Basil Seeds Certified Organic
Genovese Basil Seeds Certified Organic
Sale Price: $1.89
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Description

This is the most popular Basil for pesto. In most areas of the country you should be able to harvest it at least three times. The trick is to start the seeds indoors and not to plant outside until your nights stay above 55 degrees. Contains enough seed for one 40' row. For our 10 other Basil varieties, put the word "Basil" in our search engine.

Features

  • The very best sweet basil for pesto
  • Organically certified seeds
  • Basil will not take any frost
  • Plants 3 twelve foot rows
  • Ocimum basilicum
Organic Holy Basil Herb 100 Seeds
Organic Holy Basil Herb 100 Seeds
Sale Price: $2.15
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Description

HERBS: Treat yourself to fresh herbs right from your garden! The difference when home grown is impressive! All are excellent for adding distinctive flavor to meat, and fish dishes, gravies, soups, salads and vegetables. They are fun to grow and make an attractive garden addition! Holy Basil. Ocimum sanctum8-12 in. A sacred herb of the Hindu religion. An excellant tea herb, but more highly valued as a companion plant and ornamental. Aromatic, fuzzy 2 inch leaves have an unusual scent, sometimes described as walnut, ripe bananas, or spice.Planting Depth: 1/8"-1/4"Soil Temp. 70-80 FDays to Germ.: 10-14Plant Spacing: 6-8"Days to Maturity: 65-75Full SunModerate WaterPack weight .100gms~ 100 seeds

Features

  • Ocimum sanctum
  • Mature Height: 8-12"
  • Days to Maturity: 65-75
  • Full Sun
  • 100 Seeds
Basil 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil- 30 ml
Basil 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil- 30 ml
List Price: $18.95
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Description

* Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum * Plant Part: Leaves & flowers * Extraction Method: Steam Distilled * Origin: Italy * Description: An annual Herb, Basil grows 20-50 cm (8-20 in), and when in bloom the purple- white flowers appear in clusters, framed by oval pointed green leaves. * Color: Pale yellow to amber color liquid. * Common Uses: Prized in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to strengthen compassion, faith and bring clarity. Basil clears the sinuses, promotes digestion and stimulates circulation, especially in the respiratory system. * Consistency: Light * Note: Top * Strength of Aroma: Strong * Blends well with: Basil essentil oil blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Lime, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lemon, Neroli, and Rosemary * Aromatic Scent: Sweet vaguely anise-like minty smoky odor. * History: In Greek its name means 'royal remedy' or 'king'. Beloved culinary plant of Indian, Asian and Mediterranean countries. * Cautions: May irritate sensitive skin. Do not use during pregnancy. For external use only.

Features

  • Basil has a sweet vaguely anise-like minty smoky aroma.
  • The aroma is clear, light and peppery and gives a sweet, green top note to blends.
  • This crisp smelling essential oil is often used in aromatherapy, as it awakens the mind to clarity of thought, steadies the nerves, while easing sinus congestion, cooling down fevers and treating menstrual problems.
  • All Edens Garden products are 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade. Click on the "Other products by Edens Garden" link at the top of this page to view full product range
  • Edens Garden collection includes the following 78 oils- Anise Star, Aphrodisiac blend, Basil, Bay, Bergamot, Birch, Black Pepper, Blood Orange, Breathe Easy blend, Camphor, Cardamom, Carrot, Cassia, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon Leaf, Citronella, Clary Sage, Cleaning blend, Clementine, Clove, Coriander, Cypress, Elemi, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fir Needle, Frankincense, French Lavender, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Ho Wood, Hyssop, Invigorate blend, Juniper Berry, Key Lime, Lavender, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Litsea, Mandarin, Meditation blend, Myrrh, Myrtle, Neroli, Nutmeg, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Peru Balsam, Petitgrain, Pine, Relaxation blend, Renew blend, Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage, Sandalwood, Sensation blend, Spearmint, Spikenard, Spruce, Stress Relief blend, Sweet Marjoram, Sweet Orange, Tangerine, Tea Tree, Thyme, Vanilla, Verbena, Vetiver, Wintergreen and Ylang Ylang
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