Frozen Basil Recipes

HOMEMADE BASIL PESTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Quickly blanch the basil. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set aside near your stove. Fill a small saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Drop the basil leaves in the boiling water and blanch for 5 to 10 seconds or until wilted. Using tongs, transfer the basil leaves to prepared ice water to stop cooking.
• Dry the basil very well. Pick up the basil leaves and wrap them in paper towel and squeeze to wring out all the water.
• Make the pesto. Place the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. With the processor running, slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil. Do not run the processor too long, you want to have a little bit of texture to your basil pesto.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Transfer the basil mixture to a small bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix to combine. If needed add a little bit more extra virgin olive oil to mix.
• Use immediately or store for later (see notes for storage).

FROZEN BASIL LEMONADE

Steps:

• To make the simple syrup, place the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes, then cool.
• Pour the simple syrup in the pitcher of a blender with the ice, lemon juice and basil, and puree until smooth. Serve cold.

FROZEN BASIL

Steps:

• chop basil leaves fine
• mix in olive oil to make a thick paste
• divide in equal portions in the ice cube trays and put in freezer
• when frozen transfer to bags and keep frozen
• do not thaw before use but add the frozen cubes strait in your pasta sauces, etc