Thai basil stands up to cooking a little better than sweet basil, making it a good choice for soups, stir-fries, and curries. It can also be eaten raw sprinkled over salads or cold noodles dishes, and used interchangeably with sweet basils in most recipes..
Similarly, you may ask, what goes well with basil?
The most commonly known pairing of basil is with tomatoes, but here are other foods that go well with basil along with recipe ideas and links.
- Tomatoes. Tomatoes are the most classic pairing with basil.
- Olive Oil.
- Garlic.
- Balsamic Vinegar.
- Fruit.
- Mint.
- Lemon.
- Eggplant.
Likewise, how do you preserve Thai basil? Basil can also be preserved in oil or frozen to maximize its shelf life. Chop fresh basil leaves and place in clean ice cub trays. Cover with oil, water, or stock and freeze. When ready to use, simply remove a few cubes and keep the rest in the freezer.
Correspondingly, how is Thai basil different from regular basil?
When I think of “Regular” basil, I think of the common sweet basil that has a sweet, “Italian dish” flavor. Thai basil has a distinctly different flavor that is more like Holy basil (but better tasting). It is sweet flavored, but has a hint of licorice taste to it. It also has a more compact growth habit.
What can I make with basil besides pesto?
Find all of these recipes and more in our collection of great basil recipes.
- Basil Martini.
- Tomato Salad with Green Beans and Basil.
- Crispy Calamari and Prawns with Pepper–Lime Sauce.
- The Saint.
- Peach and Plum Salad.
- Grilled Eggplant With Basil Vinaigrette.
- Caprese Salad.
- Watermelon-Basil Cocktail.
Related Question Answers
How do I use fresh basil in pasta?
Usually, fresh basil has to be added to a fresh sauce (means a sauce made by fresh tomatoes, to serve it "today") just at the end of cooking, 3-4 minutes before you turn your fire off. Then let it rest some minutes more, while you cook the pasta.What meat does basil go with?
beef
Can I eat fresh basil leaves?
The fresher it is, the better it is. The fragrance of basil is never as seductive as when it is first plucked from a live plant and eaten raw, as quickly as possible after plucking. Basil pesto too, should always be used raw, never warmed up or cooked.What can I do with too much fresh basil?
Even when you buy fresh basil there is too much of it. I pinch off all the leaves and put them in a sealed plastic container in the freezer. When I make a sauce from tomatoes I take a handful of frozen basil leaves and quickly crush them. They shatter into small pieces which I drop in my sauce.Do strawberries and basil go together?
Dried herbs such as basil and mint are often paired with strawberries, particularly in salad or in strawberry dressing or sauce. To make a simple strawberry basil salad, combine 1/4 cup fresh basil with 2 cups of sliced strawberries and 8 cups of lettuce.Is fresh basil good for you?
Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. When basil's oils are extracted to make an essential oil, it is used for treating cuts, wounds, and skin infections.What do you eat pesto with?
10 Ways to Go Beyond Pasta with Pesto - Mix It into Dips. We'll mix a little pesto in with sour cream, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or even guacamole!
- Top Your Breakfast.
- Replace Pizza Sauce.
- Bake into Bread.
- Spread on a Sandwich or Flatbread.
- Mix into Salad Dressing.
- Toss (or Top) Veggies.
- Smear on Bruschetta.
Does Thai basil grow back?
Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year. Basil plants are sensitive to cold weather and frost.Should you let Thai basil flower?
Basil loves hot weather, and if your plants are flourishing, it's time to prune (and harvest). 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.Can you use Thai basil in pasta sauce?
Sweet Basil is a common basil we can use for various recipes and Thai basil is one which gives a spicy and heavy flavor to the recipe. Since Thai basil is a very strong basil, make sure that you are using only little bit of it in your recipe. It is always a good practice to wash all the herbs before using them.Can you use Thai basil in pesto?
If you love the classic flavors found in Thai food such as Thai basil, hot peppers, garlic, and ginger, you will LOVE this easy pesto. This Thai Basil Pesto is a Thai inspired fresh pesto that can be used on pasta, in Thai inspired dishes and more.Can you use normal basil in Thai food?
You can use sweet basil in all dishes that require Thai basil without losing much. When using sweet basil in place of Thai basil, you may be able to replicate this intensity by using a little more of the herb than your recipe requires for Thai basil. Try using about one and a half times more sweet basil.How do I identify Thai basil?
Thai Basil They are also lightly serrated along the edges, and the veins stand out at a bright greenish yellow against the leaves. Stems are dark purple. Unlike young sweet basil, the stems are tough and should not be eaten. The leaves are smooth, and, when brushed, the smell is like a stronger version of basil.Can Thai basil be substituted for basil?
Perfect for Southeast Asian dishes, the purple-stemmed Thai basil has a bright mint and citrus flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute sweet basil for Thai basil.What does Thai basil sauce taste like?
Widely used throughout Southeast Asia, its flavor, described as anise- and licorice-like and slightly spicy, is more stable under high or extended cooking temperatures than that of sweet basil. Thai basil has small, narrow leaves, purple stems, and pink-purple flowers.What flavor does basil have?
It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell. There are many varieties of basil, as well as several related species or hybrids also called basil.Can you freeze fresh Thai basil?
You can simply freeze the whole basil leaves or chop them and store in a container or freezer bag, but keep in mind that they might shrink a little. You can also try blanching them: Remove basil leaves from the stem and toss them in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 seconds.What are the health benefits of Thai basil?
Thai Basil seeds are said to have antioxidants, anti-cancer properties, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.What is Thai basil good for?
Thai basil has notably high levels of vitamins K and A, as well as significant amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. Basil is known for its beneficial essential oil, which contains eugenol – a natural compound that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 
