Storage Tips: In general, fresh herbs should be stored in the refrigerator. Wrap Basil in a damp paper towel or place it in a tall glass with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Rinse and thoroughly dry basil leaves before using. Basil can also be preserved in oil or frozen to maximize its shelf life.
How do you store Thai basil long term?
Wash and dry the leaves, using either a paper towel or a salad spinner. Wrap the basil leaves in a dry paper towel and place inside a plastic bag. Seal and store for one to two weeks.
How do you store Thai basil in the freezer?
Freeze basil whole leaves in these 3 easy steps:
Blanch: Remove the basil leaves from the stem and blanch them in boiling water for 2 seconds. Ice bath: Transfer the leaves to an ice bath. Dry &, freeze: Dry completely and store in a freezer-safe container, separating the layers with wax or parchment paper.
How do you preserve Thai basil in oil?
- Wash, dry &, chop basil leaves.
- Toss leaves with a bit of olive oil (I used 3 c. of leaves to 2 TB. oil).
- Portion into mason jars and freeze.
How do you dry Thai basil?
- Wash and dry the basil leaves. Remove them from the stem. …
- Microwave on High for 45 seconds.
- Remove the plate, spread out the leaves in a single layer. …
- Microwave again on high for one more 30 second interval. …
- Cool completely to allow to become perfectly crisp: the leaves will crisp more as they cool.
Is it better to freeze or dry basil?
You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Before you start, wash basil in cold water and dry, a salad spinner works well for this step. To freeze your basil, pull leaves from stems. … Pat leaves dry and store in a large, freezer-safe container, separating each layer with plastic wrap.
Can I freeze fresh basil?
ANSWER: Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves, but they just need a little help. Basil is a particularly delicate herb because it hates the cold and darkens when cut. Keep in mind any fresh herbs that you freeze will not be entirely the same as fresh. Freezing will change the texture and it won’t be as stable.
What can I do with too much basil?
- Make pesto. Making pesto may be the most obvious answer, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the power of such a vibrant homemade condiment. …
- Make cocktails. Know what else basil goes great with? …
- Use it in a rehydrating salad. …
- Save it. …
- Root it. …
- Try These Basil Recipes.
How do you freeze basil without turning it black?
Chop and Freeze
Add a drizzle of olive oil and pulse to lightly coat the leaves with oil, this will keep the basil from turning black in the freezer. Scoop the resulting mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer the finished cubes to freezer bags and use as needed.
What is Thai basil good for?
Research shows that Thai Basil is high in antioxidants, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, which is why it has been used in traditional healing since centuries ago. Aside from ingesting Thai Basil, you can also bruise the leaves and inhale its aroma to relieve stress.
Should you let Thai basil flower?
Check your basil plants frequently for flowers, and if you see any, pinch them off right away. If the flower stems are too woody to pinch (often the case with Thai basil), cut them off with shears. A plant allowed to flower will soon go to seed, stop growing, and die, so be vigilant about removing flowers.
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Can you dry basil in the sun?
When drying basil, it needs to be kept in an area out of direct sunlight, but with good airflow. The bag will help with this – if exposed to too much light, basil will turn black or a dark brown and not be usable.
What is the dried equivalent of 1/4 cup fresh basil?
1/4 cup fresh basil equals how much dried? The answer is 4 teaspoons or 1 1/3 tablespoon of dried basil. You will need three times the amount of fresh basil as you will need dried basil. The conversion of three to one is only a general rule because dried herbs lose flavor quickly, changing the ratios.