Basil is one of the world’s most popular herbs and can be used in a wide range of cooking methods. From Thai cuisine to Italian, basil has been found in spice blends for centuries. In fact, it is believed that basil was first planted by soldiers returning from the Crusades who brought home seeds from Italy. Basil has been cultivated all over the world since then with each region adding its own twist on how best to use this herb.
Basil is most commonly associated with Mediterranean foods, but it can be found in spice blends from many other regions.
Basil has a very distinct flavor that goes well in tomato-based sauces, soups, salads, and stews. It pairs especially well with spice flavors like cumin, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and nutmeg to name a few.
What is basil and where does it come from?
Basil is a spice that comes from the basil plant. Basil has been used as both food and medicine for centuries. There are many varieties of basil, but sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is the most popular variety. Sweet basil has a slightly peppery flavor with hints of anise and spice.
The leaves of the sweet basil plant are used in cooking. They can be dried and stored for several months or fresh leaves can be added to cooked dishes moments before serving.
How to use basil in your cooking
Basil is an herb that comes from the basil plant, which is a member of the mint family. It has purplish stems, oval shaped leaves, and small blue flowers. Basil grows best in dry climates and does not grow well in cold weather.
The flavor of basil can vary depending on the variety. There are several different types of basil, including sweet basil, spice basil, purple basil, and Holy Basil. Each type of basil has a different taste.
Recipes that include basil
Farro Salad with Mushrooms and Herbs - This delicious salad is made with roasted garlic, lemon basil dressing, mushrooms, and a blend of fresh herbs.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Basil Sauce - This dish has grilled chicken topped with a rosemary and basil infused sauce.
Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches - These sandwiches are topped with basil mayonnaise and grilled vegetables.
Spicy Stir-Fried Basil Chicken - This stir-fry is made with carrots, basil, green beans, onion, ginger, garlic cloves, soy sauce, oyster sauce, eggs, toasted sesame seeds, black pepper flakes, salt, red pepper flakes.
Spices that pair well with basil
There are many spices that pair well with basil. Here are a few of our favorites:
Black pepper - Black pepper has a spicy and peppery flavor and goes well with the spice in basil.
Oregano - Oregano is another spice with a spicy, peppery flavor that goes well with the spice in basil.
Lemongrass - Lemongrass has a citrusy flavor that complements the spice in basil. It also enhances the lemony notes in basil leaves.
Thyme - Thyme is another spice with a peppery flavor that goes well with the spice in basil.
Cinnamon - Cinnamon has an earthy and sweet flavor that complements the spice in basil. It also enhances the aromatic notes in basil leaves.
Black cardamom - Black cardamom has a smoky and musky flavor that pairs well with spice in basil.
Saffron - Saffron is an earthy spice with hints of bitter orange peel and honey. It goes well with spice in basil.
Conclusion
Basil is a great spice to add flavor and color to your cooking. It goes well with many different flavors, including black pepper, oregano, lemongrass, thyme, cinnamon, and black cardamom. Be sure to experiment with using basil in your own recipes!
