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Questions tagged [basil]

33 questions
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How can one use Thai basil stems and flowers?

What parts, besides the leaves of Thai Basil, are usable? I am making Thai Basil Chicken (Gai Pad Krapow) using the leaves but can I use the stems and flowers as well?
Mike
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How is basil prepared for pesto most efficiently?

I'm typing this with a case of "pesto-finger" - the stubborn stains that take a few days to fully wash off my thumb and fingertips from hours of picking basil leaves (mostly after harvesting all the remaining basil in the face of a frost.) I always…
Ecnerwal
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Convert fresh basil leaves to a dry measurement

I have a recipe that calls for 12 fresh basil leaves. How do I convert that to a dry measurement?
user32874
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Would one use holy basil to make pesto sauce? Are there other culinary uses?

I got some holy basil seeds (via mail) from a guy on an internet forum. I planted them and they are growing nicely. They taste similar to thai basil. Would one use holy basil to make pesto sauce? Are there other culinary uses for holy basil?
lamwaiman1988
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Basil lookalike that tastes like aniseed.

I bought a herb on the market, thinking it was fresh basil. What I know for sure now, is that this isn't basil. It has a taste that reminds me of anise and fennel. It stays a bit firmer than basil when put on spaghetti. What did I buy?
hhhhhhhhh
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Is it safe to drink the water that basil seeds are soaked in?

Is it safe to drink the water that basil seeds are soaked in? Also would it be okay to drink that water with and/or without removing the soaked seeds? Thanks and regards :-)
Asan
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1/4 cup of shredded basil OR 1/4 cup of basil that is then shredded?

I am thinking of making a Chicken Parmigiana that I found on the Lidia's Italy website - http://lidiasitaly.com/recipes/detail/398. The recipe calls for "1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, shredded." I am trying to figure out whether this means that (a) I…
Rob
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What is meant when a spice is water-soluble?

Coriander and basil are said to be water-soluble. However, I'm not quite sure what this means. If you put the leaves into water the leaves do not dissolve. They are still there at the end. I know certain nutrients can be water soluble — e.g.,…
James Wilson
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Basil Pesto and Cream Cheese dip

I made a dip with basil pesto covering cream cheese with grated parmesan cheese over it all. Can I keep the dip (tightly covered) for 4 days without the pesto interacting with the cheese? The pesto was purchased in a jar. It was not opened until…
Jill E.
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Can basil flowers be substituted for basil leaves to make tea?

Can you use the basil flowers just like the leaves to make tea?
Ana
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What is the conversion of fresh basil to Frozen blanched basil

I grew a lot of fresh basil. I blanched and then froze it to make pesto at a later date ,but I did not measure it beforehand . So I was wondering what One 1 cup of fresh basil is equivalent to how much Frozen blanched basil? I blanched and froze my…
christi ringland
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best way to keep fresh basil leaves?

My basil often spoils after 2- 3 days of purchasing them from the supermarket. I have tried wrapping them in a wet paper towels in order to keep them hydrated, but it doesnt seem to have any effect. How do you preserve your fresh basil leaves for…
user60513
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How do I properly cut leafy herbs like basil?

I often cut herbs to top off my dishes or as a core ingredient in salsa, sauces, guacamole, or any other similar use. For most purposes I would want a fine chop but in some cases more of a strip is called for to top or garnish. What type of knife…
dpollitt
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Basil wilting, how to preserve?

I have a hard time keeping basil. When I buy it from a local grocery store, it is perfectly fresh, but when I take it home it withers in a couple of days. I have tried keeping it in fresh water and trimming the stems, but that only extends its life…
Drisheen Colcannon
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Which kind of basil should I use?

I'm new to cooking and I was planning to make a recipe I saw on TV with pasta. One ingredient is basil. The chef on the show advised always to use fresh herbs; he used a kind of vasiliko with large leaves I think it's called holy basil. I tried to…
giannis christofakis
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