Perfectly cared for basil plant should be constantly harvested, so that flowering is not formed. The question arises, where to put the surplus harvest. We have some culinary tips on how to pickle royal herb in vinegar, oil and salt.
How to make delicious basil vinegar
Instead of awkwardly drying basil, this delicious herb can be wonderfully pickled in vinegar. Let the following recipe serve as a guide to spice it up with your own epicurean ideas:
- Wash a large handful of freshly harvested basil leaves and pat dry.
- fill a clean bottle halfway with white wine vinegar
- cut a clove of garlic in half and let it sink to the bottom
- put the basil leaves in the bottle and fill with vinegar
Place the sealed bottle in a dark, cool place for 8-10 days. Last but not least, strain the basil vinegar and pour it into a new, freshly cleaned bottle.
Pickle basil in oil – how to do it.
Do you have two hands full of juicy basil leaves too much? Then they are pickled in oil in no time. Simply put them in the food processor and chop them up. While the machine is running, add 7 to 8 tablespoons of olive oil – done. The mixture stores well in a small screw-top jar in the refrigerator or frozen in an ice cube tray.
A smart solution – make your own basil salt
If the basil harvest turned out to be particularly abundant, a clever as well as delicate idea of preparation comes into play. Put aromatic king herb nevertheless simply in salt. The result is a food seasoning that trumps any conventional salt. Here’s how to do it right:
- Grind fresh basil leaves and add sea salt.
- spread the wet salt on a baking sheet
- dry in the oven at 50 degrees top and bottom heat
While the basil salt is drying, turn it every now and then. In this way it cannot clump. Immediately pour the finished, now green salt into the salt shaker.
Tips & Tricks
Whether pickled in vinegar, oil or salt – filled into a decorative glass container with a pretty decoration, you hold an individual gift in your hands. With home-grown and prepared basil as a souvenir or hostess gift, you are right on trend with the times.