Basil Preservation Techniques: Say Goodbye to Waste!
In our pursuit of cultivating a small urban garden or even just maintaining a few pots of aromatic herbs at home, many of us face limitations. As a result, we often resort to purchasing supermarket herbs, only to watch them deteriorate quickly. But fear not, there’s a simple solution to extend the freshness of basil for up to 6 months.
Basil, a kitchen staple, frequently comes pre-packaged and prone to rapid decay once home. So, how can we prolong its lifespan for months on end?
- Water Storage: If you don’t have a basil plant, treat your fresh purchase like a bouquet of flowers. Place the basil sprigs in a glass with water, ensuring it covers the stems but not completely. Change the water daily, keep it in a cool, dim area, and trim leaves as needed. Your basil will stay fresh for up to a week!
- Refrigeration: For larger quantities of basil, washing and patting dry the leaves, then wrapping them in kitchen paper before storing in an airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge can extend its life to around 10 days.
- Oil Preservation: Create a basil-infused oil by submerging fresh, clean basil leaves in extra virgin olive oil in a sealed jar. Store this in the fridge for weeks. However, exercise caution due to the risk of botulism; always ensure the leaves are completely covered by oil.
- Freezing: Freeze basil leaves either in oil, using ice cube trays, or without oil in an airtight container. This method preserves the aroma and freshness for several months, allowing easy incorporation into your recipes when needed.
- Pesto Preparation: Make a simple pesto with basil, olive oil, and garlic, and freeze it in small jars. This can be stored for up to six months in the freezer and several days in the refrigerator after thawing, as long as it remains covered in oil.
Now armed with these preservation techniques, you can bid farewell to wasted basil and enjoy its freshness in your dishes for months to come!
