Who doesn't like Basil? It is one of the most valuable herbs to have in your garden & tastes yummy with those home grown tomatoes. People say it is easy to grow, but I find it tricky here in the cooler climates. Basil likes warm conditions, early Spring sowing is not advised, unless you are lucky enough to live up north (like capsicums & tomatoes, I don't bother until Melbourne Cup) . Thats unless you have a hothouse. Or you could start the seeds in a pot inside.
Basil Sweet : (Ocimum basilicum) Labiatae, Annual
Basil Bush : (O. minimum) Labiatae, Annual.
Propogation: seeds, late spring, early summer
Position: Sunny, sheltered
Soil: light to sandy, well drained
Height: Sweet basil, 75cms. Bush basil, 30cms
Part Used: leaves
There are a few different types of Basil, Sweet Basil is the one most commonly used in cooking. In cooler climates, the basil bush will remain quite compact, but help it along with regular pruning. The more you prune, the more you will need to feed. Whatever type you get, use the foliage size as a guide. The bigger the leaf, the more shade tolerant it will be. The purple variety will fade in full sun, so try to place it so it will get morning sun, but be shaded in the hot afternoons. Frost will kill basil, so make sure you harvest by April. Basil LOVES to be fed, so keep up the liquid fertiliser - seaweed, worm wee, liquid manure etc. It doesn't like chook poo though. Keep the soil moist. Caterpillars & snails do love to munch on basil.
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| Make a hothouse |
History:
Basil originated in India, & was regarded as a sacred herb. There are many legends written about basil from Rome, Egypt & Greece. Basil was prescribed to draw out the poison from stings & bites.
Cultivation:
Basil must have warm conditions, early Spring planting is not advised. It is very frost tender. Even a cold change could kill a basil plant. Sow seeds directly into the ground in shallow holes. Give the soil lime if it is too acidic. (2 weeks before planting) If you have heavy soil, try adding some sand to the soil. When the basil is 8cms high, thin out to 30cms between plants. As the plant grows, it is important to pinch out the centre to encourage a bushy habit.
Bush basil grows well in a pot. Sow 3-4 seeds into a pot filled with good quality potting mix, water well, & keep moist. When the seedlings are 8cms high, leave the sturdiest looking plant in the pot, & pinch out the rest. Basil will not grow as an inside plant, so place on a sunny patio, a window sill, where it will get sun & fresh air.
Harvesting & Processing:
It is necessary to harvest basil by early Autumn before the cold weather kills them. In hot climates, basil grows all year round & self sows. The more you pick your basil, the better it will thrive. For the best flavour, cut long, leafy stalks for drying before the plant comes into flower, spreading out in a shady place to dry. Do not hang in bunches, as it will not dry quick enough. Oven drying will scorch the leaves. Fresh basil may be chopped finely, mixed with a little water & frozen in ice cube trays. Try making basil butter, pesto or basil icecream.
Culinary:
Basil goes brilliantly with tomatoes, tomato based recipes & excellent with egg plant, zucchini, marrow, squash & spinach. Added in the last 1/2 hour of cooking, it adds bite to pea or lentil soup.
It tastes great with cream cheese, lifts a green salad, or sliced cucumber & a must for the pasta dishes. Goes with chook, veal, liver, kidney, fish or shellfish & makes a savoury vinegar, when you steep the leaves in vinegar for a few weeks.
Companion Planting:
Basil helps to enliven & stimulate vegetables in the garden, especially tomatoes. Basil can help repel white fly. Do not grow near Rue.
Basil Pesto
1 1/2 Cup Basil
1/4 Cup Pine Nuts
2 Cloves garlic, halved
3/4 Cup Parmeson Cheese
5 Tblspns Olive Oil
Roast the Pine nuts in an oven for 10 mins, on 180 degrees. Place all ingredients but the oil in a food processor & blend, gradually drizzling the oil in when blended.
Basil & Zucchini Soup
2 Tblspns olive oil
1 med onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
6 Zucchinis, roughly chopped
3 Cups water
2 chicken stock cubes
2 tspns sugar
1 Tblspn lemon juice
1 Cup Basil
This recipe is low in fat & freezes well. It tastes nicer the day after.
Heat oil, add garlic & onion & heat until the onion is soft. Add zucchini, water, stock, sugar & lemon juice. Bring to boil then simmer until zucchini is soft. Stir in basil & stir for 5 minutes. Blend or process, then return the soup to the pan & reheat. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt, or sour cream, or sprinkle with parmeson cheese & more basil.
Basil & Tomato Salad:
Pick your home grown basil, stems and all.
Pick the larger leaves off the stems and set side.
Place the smaller leaves and the stems into a saucepan with ½ Cup balsamic vinegar, ½ Cup olive oil and 1 Tb brown sugar.
Bring this salad dressing to boil, then simmer gently until it is reduced by half.
Strain the dressing to remove the basil leaves and stems.
Drizzle dressing over the salad, then garnish with the larger basil leaves you set aside.
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