Basil

Is a member of the mint family, it has a fresh yet pungent flavor.
Basil is associated maily with Italian cuisine, although it is used in Thai cooking as well.
Basil is te main ingredient in pesto. Use fresh torn leaves in salads for an added kick.

Basil

The dried form enhances the flavors of Pasta sauces, pizza, and many italian dishes.
When purchasing Basil, chose crisp unblemished leaves.
Store wrapped in a dam paper towel or if you have purchased a plant with roots stand in a small glass of cold water, cover lightly with paper towel and plastic wrap, secured with a rubber band, and store in the fridge.
Basil is an annual plant that can be easily grown in a window sill or outdoors.
Basil prefers a sunny area and prefers a well drained rich soil. Plants will grow up to 2 feet and flower in July and August.
Basil Varieties include. Lemon Basil, Sweet Basil, Purple Basil & Bush Basil though there are other types available.
Basil is a good accompaniment to balsamic and wine vinegars, oregano, thyme, lemon, tomatos, fresh tomato sauces, fresh mozarela, garlic and olive oil.
Basil has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, though today it is used mainly as a culinary herb.
The ratio of dried basil to fresh basil is 3 to 1, so if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 3 teaspoons of fresh can be used insteas. When adding fresh basil to a recipe, add it at the end of the cooking process, after the heat has been shut off to avoid the possibility of the basil attaining a bitter taste.