In the summertime you can find basil at the best prices or if you are growing it in your garden, chances are that you have plenty to harvest. You can enjoy your basil all summer long but there are also ways to preserve it so that you can enjoy it even longer.
How to Wash Basil
No matter how I am going to use basil, I always wash it first. I wash it in a vinegar wash similar to a lot of my other produce items. I fill a large bowl with 10 cups of water and ¼ cup 5% distilled white vinegar. Add the basil to the bowl and allow it to soak for two minutes. Then remove it from the water and allow it to dry on a large towel. You can use a salad spinner to speed up the drying process. Once it is completely dry you can move on to one of these methods for preserving your basil long term.
Preserving Basil in Oil
One method of preserving basil is to do it in a glass jar with oil. You can use a pint size or quart size depending on how much you have. Start by putting a small amount of oil in the bottom of the jar. You can use the oil of your choice, I prefer avocado oil. Layer basil leaves, a pinch of salt (Himalayan or sea salt is best), and then more oil and repeat that process. In a pint size jar you will use about 1 teaspoon total in the entire jar. You will use 1 tablespoon for a quart.
Place a fermentation weight on the basil to ensure the leaves stay pushed down in the oil. Store the jar of basil in the fridge. You can pull out the basil leaves to use in various recipes as well as the basil infused oil.
Freezing Basil
To freeze basil, first lay it in a single layer and cover it lightly with oil. Do this gently to avoid bruising the leaves. Once the leaves are coated in oil, put them in a freezer safe bag. I like to use silicone stasher bags.
Doing this will allow it to keep the vibrant green color and you can take small pieces of the basil as you need it for recipes.
Watch Me Preserve Basil
Watch my latest YouTube video on how to preserve basil by clicking below:
Zero Waste Produce Guide
If you want more tips for preserving produce and keeping it fresh longer, check out the Zero Waste Produce Guide. It has information for 75 of the most popular fruits and vegetables as well as over 40 recipes.
Caprese Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 zucchini, small
- 2 T olive oil
- ½ onion, medium
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 T honey
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 T Italian seasoning
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, shredded
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes per side). Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned. Pour in balsamic vinegar and honey, stirring to deglaze the pan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Italian seasoning.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling into the onions and glaze. Scatter tomatoes and zucchini around the chicken and top each breast with mozzarella.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and cheese is melted, about 10–15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, top with fresh chopped basil, and serve immediately.
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