Herb Recipes

Basil Pesto

 

Basil
Garlic scapes and/or garlic cloves
Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds)
Salt
Olive oil
Provides a perfect combo of basil and garlic flavor with a smooth, no bitter taste. Start by adding as much basil as you have, and then add the rest of the ingredients to get to a good ratio. Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Add oil until it is the consistency of pesto.

Basil Salt
Sea salt
Fresh basil stems & leaves
Send the wintertime doldrums away! Super easy to make and stores at room temperature for several years. Pack a mason jar with a layer of salt, 1/2 inch thick. Place a thin layer of basil on the salt. Add another 1/2 inch layer of salt then another layer of basil and repeat until the jar is full. Be sure that the top layer of salt is thick enough so that no basil is poking out on top. Install lid, let sit at room temp and by the time you are really craving summer basil, it will be ready! Add basil salt (and leaves) to any dish in place of salt to bring the bright taste of summer into the kitchen during the dull grays of winter.

Steve's Mistake (Cocktail)

3 to 4 basil leaves, plus dill leaves, if desired
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce elderberry syrup
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Muddle basil (and dill leaves) in elderberry syrup (Monin brand is good) in tumbler. Add ice cubes, vodka, and lime juice. Shake for 25 to 30 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass. Add basil leaves as garnish.

-- Recipe by Steve Pernecky

 

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