Basil, or in its plant name, Ocimum basilicum. Ocimum derives from the word Okimon, which means smell, while basilicum means king, in Greek. This “royal herb” belongs to the Lamiaceae mint family with 5,000 medicinal and aromatic plant species. Its scent could remind us of anise, clove, cinnamon, and camphor due to the different oils in its various cultivars. Basil is native to India and other regions of Asia. It was brought to the United States by Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorers. Due to its versatility and distinct flavor, there are many uses for basil in cooking.
fresh basil
Uses For Basil
Basil can be used either fresh or dried for cooking. It is recommended to use it fresh for a better taste and it is also recommended to add it to the dish at the very end of the cooking in order to keep its flavor. Besides flavoring, this medicinal plant even possesses antimicrobial properties and has been used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic for the treatment of cephalalgia, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, and cough (1). Due to its antioxidizing effect, it is not only used as a spice but also as an additive to tomato-based foods with high acidity. In pastries and sausages, basil plays a contamination inhibitor role.
Recipe Ideas
Basil is widely used and matches perfectly with Italian and Thai style dishes. You can add fresh leaves on top of your pizza, flatbreads, or avocado toasts. Basil would also be an excellent choice with any pasta dish, but it is especially vital for a great pesto sauce . If you are looking for a new salad idea, try pairing up basil with strawberries or raspberries in your salad or another great flavor combination for a refreshing and healthy meal is this lemon and basil pasta dish . Basil not only adds to the flavor profile of your dish, but its vibrant green color makes any food more appealing for sure.
References:
- Sakkas, H. , Papadopoulu, C. (2017). Antimicrobial Activity of Basil, Oregano, and Thyme Essential Oils. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology. 27(3):429-438.
