Basil is the second herb that I am highlighting in the easy, inexpensive to grow herb series. It grows well from seed and can be put in a medium to large pot alongside other herbs such as cilantro and dill. Basil is offered in a range of varieties of varying size and taste.
Some common varieties of basil that are available for seed packet planting include Sweet, Holy, Lemon, Purple Ruffles and Sweet Thai. To learn more about these varieties of basil, take a look at this article about basil varieties and their uses found at Hobby Farm.com.
Basil is a very versatile herb. The following are 5 foods that pair well with this herb.
- Pasta and many accompanying Italian sauces. A sprinkling of fresh basil in some jarred spaghetti sauce near the end of heating can bring a homemade, fresh taste to the sauce. Basil is also a core ingredient in pesto.
- Sliced tomatoes. In addition to sauce, tomatoes in many forms love fresh basil. Here is a yummy recipe from Ina Garten for Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad found on the Food Network site.
- Chicken. Cream-based sauces that include basil are particularly tasty over chicken.
- Fruit Salad. Basil works well with citrus-based dressings. Lime juice is a popular accompaniment to basil.
- Breads. From loaves to breakfast breads, basil fits right in to the mix. Stir It Up! offers a scrumptious recipe for Blackberry Scones with Cinnamon Basil.
This has been the second installment of my Easy, Inexpensive to Grow Herb Series. The first post focused on 6 Foods That Love Dill. Look for more herb features coming in the near future.
Very nice post! Tomato alway goes with everything, it is so good!
Yes, can’t wait for some homegrown tomatoes from the garden. Nothing like sun ripened.
I wouldn’t have thought of basil in fruit salad! Cheers
Very tasty combo indeed.
Sadly, in my part of the world, basil season is just about all over now, but it is one of my favourite herbs and you have some great suggestions there for using it. Love the sound of those blackberry scones with cinnamon basil.
Blackberry scones with basil, definitely a refreshing start to the morning.
I just began growing sweet basil so I’m glad to come across your post! I didn’t think about pairing it with fruit salad but I’ll have to give it a try!
Surprisingly tasty in combination with the fruit.
Wow! I love all these ideas. I’ve put lime juice in my fruit salad, but never basil. Great post, glad to see you on Tasty Tuesdays. 🙂
The basil and lime really go well together with the fruit salad. Sending a twitter follow your way.
I always grow a lot of basil every year. We love it in salads and basil pesto.
Thanks for linking up at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
I love cooking with herbs more than anything else that comes from the garden. I wouldn’t have thought to use basil in fruit salad either. But I have used thyme with good results.
Thank you for linking with See Ya in the Gumbo!
Always enjoy linking up. Herbs just make food seem some much richer without adding a lot of calories.
I love basil, great ideas you have there. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great weekend!!
I just added basil to a chuck pot roast I had in the crock pot and it came out so yummy! But you are so right that it goes well with all of these. Bread is one that I will have to try for sure! Thanks for sharing this one with us at Countdown in Style, too!
Hi Sarah – love these ideas for using basil! Thank you so much for sharing at Best of the Weekend – pinned to our party board! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Thanks so much for pinning. Hope that you have a wonderful weekend.
And I have some basil in the fridge. I was just looking at pairing it with tomatoes and mozzarella! Thanks for sharing with Countdown in Style!
Basil, mozzarella, and tomato. So tasty.