One of the most common things in an Indian household is a basil plant. Traditionally, this plant is a part of various legends and rituals; but it is also packed with a number of health benefits. Basil is an aromatic herb oozing with a minty and mildly pepper-like flavour. You can use it for medicinal purposes or crush a few leaves between the fingers for your evening tea. In Italy, Basil is used in a number of recipes and almost all pizzas use this herb for garnish. Basil leaves help in maintaining your blood pressure and are a good source of magnesium. They contain an essential oil that can help in boosting your immunity and lowering triglycerides in the body.
There are a number of ways in which you can use basil. Whether you are using it in pesto, pasta, sauce, gravy, pizza, and ice-creams—adding basil to your meal or snack can never really be a bad idea. It is vital to note that basil leaves, when added to food, reveal a strong flavour and essence. Let’s have a look at some of the most savoury basil leaves recipes that will surely make you feel refreshed this summer.
Quick pro-tip: Rather than chopping fresh basil, always tear them with your hands into two and then use it in the dish. This will enhance the flavour.
1. Tomato basil soup
In the season of cardigans and heavy sweaters, tomatoes are often missing from the market. But in the summers, heavy, ripe, and plump tomatoes demand to be plucked and turned into a comfort soup. Tomato basil soup is one of the best ways to use this herb. While the rich, savoury tomatoes give the soup a more appetizing aroma and colour, the freshly-plucked basil adds flavour to it. The rich, creamy flavour of the soup that you’ll get at the end is everything good that you can hope for. So, next time when you see juicy tomatoes in the tomatoes, you know exactly what to do with them.
2. Basil pesto sauce
Do you know the best part about summer? Fresh herbs that can be easily found anywhere and the dishes that can be made out of them. If you're wondering how to use basil leaves, then one of the easiest answers you can get is to turn them into basil pesto sauce. This intensely-flavoured and rich in aroma sauce goes well with any dish and is a perfect fit for all your summer meals. Try it out with this simple and easy recipe.
3. Tomato basil chicken pasta
Too tired to cook anything, and it is really hot outside? Then you would want to try our easy-to-cook tomato basil chicken pasta recipe that is perfect for a day like this. Stuffed with all the sweet-sour and plump tomatoes, freshly mashed basil, and juicy chicken—this combination is something you will never get over. This one-pot recipe has all the goodness you can imagine in summer food. There is one thing you need to know about basil, and that is you can never go wrong with it. So, throw the pasta, chicken, basil, and tomatoes all in a one pot and start making one of the most fulfilling meals you will ever have.
4. Basil pasta salad
Your stomach might not feel right in the summer, because the heat outside gets unbearable. That’s why you need to eat something light and refreshing, but also not boring for your taste buds. And what’s better than basil pasta salad? If pasta is your passion and tomatoes are your love affair, you can probably make it a love triangle by adding the basil. The soft creamy pasta, rich, savoury tomatoes, and fresh basil make for a perfect combo.
5. Basil pesto pizza
Wondering how to use basil leaves as a garnish? Then this dish is tailored-made for you. Basil pesto pizza is the perfect way to showcase all the fresh vegetables that come in summer and taste like heaven. One of the most vital ingredients of this pizza (apart from basil, of course!) is tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes give the pizza an appetising appeal and aroma, and the fresh basil completes the flavour, starting a love affair with your heart. Or if we rightly say a food affair with your heart! Whatever affair you want to have, make sure you have this pizza this summer because if you do not, you will surely miss out on all the fun.