How do I preserve Thai basil?
You can freeze it in ice cube trays or in a freezer bag. Another option is to store it with some olive oil. You can also dry it, but you’ll need to do this in a food dehydrator. If you’re growing your own Thai basil, you can also preserve it by harvesting the basil plants and hanging them upside down to dry.
Can you use Thai basil like regular basil?
Can you substitute Thai basil for sweet basil? Not really. The strong anise flavor of Thai basil makes it incomparable to sweet basil in terms of flavor.
What do you do with Thai basil harvest?
Now that you have harvested the basil, what are you going to do with it? Some Thai basil uses are to infuse with vinegar or oil, to flavor Pho with mint and chilies, make tea, or pair with almost any chicken, pork, or beef dish.
How to Store Fresh Basil:
- Trim the Basil Stems.
- Put the Basil in a Jar or Glass Vase with Water.
- Cover with a Plastic Bag.
- Store Basil Jar at Room Temperature.
- Trim the Stems and Replace the Water Occasionally.
How do you preserve Thai basil for the winter?
Simply chop leaves, stuff them into ice cube trays, cover with cold water, and freeze. The frozen basil bits will turn black as soon as they thaw, but they will still taste like basil.
What can I do with an abundance of Thai basil?
Try Thai basil in simmered dishes like Taiwanese braised eggplant and green curry as well as high-heat stir-fries such as Thai basil chicken and Thai tofu (traditionally made with holy basil, but great with Thai basil, too).
How do you keep Thai basil fresh longer?
Fill a jar, a vase, or a glass half-way or so with water and put the basil bouquet (trimmed-stems down) in the water. Make sure no leaves are in the water or they will turn dark and slimy. Cover the leaves and the entire jar of basil loosely with a plastic bag. Leave the covered jar of basil on your kitchen counte.
Can you freeze fresh Thai basil leaves?
It’s possible to freeze Thai basil leaves without freezing them individually; you can simply place them straight into a freezer-safe bag to save yourself time. However, they will freeze together as a clump and are likely to rip when it comes to defrosting, so just bear this in mind if you want to freeze them quickly.
Why should you not refrigerate fresh basil?
Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and leave it on the counter. Although certain herbs, such as parsley and cilantro or coriander, can be stored this way in the fridge, basil does better at room temperature. Refrigeration can turn the leaves black.
How do you store basil leaves for longer?
Go ahead and remove the leaves from the stems. Wash and dry the leaves, using either a paper towel or a salad spinner. Wrap the basil leaves in a dry paper towel and place inside a plastic bag. Seal and store for one to two weeks.
How do you winterize Thai basil?
Remove the leaves from the stems. Wash the leaves and dry them with a paper towel. Then gather them in bunches and wrap the stems with a twist tie. Hang them upside down for a week or two and then break the leaves off the stems into an airtight container and you will have dried basil for the winter.
Is it better to freeze basil or dry basil?
Is your garden overflowing with basil? You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Before you start, wash basil in cold water and dry; a salad spinner works well for this step.
If you happen to harvest too much Thai basil, you can store the cut stems in a jar in the refrigerator.
- Find a large glass jar and add a few inches of water.
- Place the basil stems inside the jar, cut side down.
- Store refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.
How do you overwinter Thai basil?
Basil plants are very sensitive to cold temperatures. They thrive in conditions between 72-85°F. During winter months, keep them away from drafty windows or frequently opened doors that let in cold air. Even a short dip down to 50°F will impede growth for a length of time afterward.
Does Thai basil regrow after winter?
Is Thai Basil Perennial? According to seedaholic.com, Thai basil is a perennial but is usually grown as an annual. You can also continue growing Thai basil indoors all throughout the year successfull.
Here are some options for you to try:
- Step 1: Place your basil inside a greenhouse or a room in your home.
- Step 2: Move your basil to the kitchen.
- Step 1: Shift to artificial light sources in the darker winter months.
- Step 2: Keep the soil warm and drained from excess of water.
What to do with basil at the end of the season?
Final Harvest: At the end of the season (before the first frost), cut the stems to the ground and pick off all the leaves. Add the stems to the compost pile, and bring the leaves indoors for an afternoon of cooking and preserving.
What do I do with my basil plant in the winter?
If you already have a favorite basil plant that produces lots of tasty leaves, there’s no reason why you can’t keep enjoying it indoors throughout the fall and winter. Placed in a cozy spot on a sunny windowsill, it will thrive throughout the cold months. Come summer, you can replant it outdoor.
Do I have to replant Thai basil every year?
Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year.
Instructions
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice.
- For the herbs, cut off the stems and remove any bruised, dry or damaged leaves.
- Submerge the picked herbs into the ice bath.
- Soak for about 15-30 minutes, or until they perk up and look refreshed.
- Drain the herbs in a colander.
Does basil come back year after year?
Basil will grow back every year so long you plant it. In other words, basil is an annual plant. It will not regrow by itself. To grow basil every year, you will need to plant basil seeds or transplant store-bought seedlings into your garden.