07/14/2025
Bountiful Basil 🌿
Basil is one of those herbs that feels like a little gift from the garden every time you snip a leaf. Whether you’re growing the classic sweet basil, the beautiful purple opal, spicy Thai, lemon, cinnamon, or globe basil—every variety brings something special to the kitchen.
What I love most about basil is how useful it is. No matter the type, it can be tossed into fresh salads, infused into oils or vinegars, muddled into drinks, simmered into sauces, or sprinkled over just about any dish for a pop of flavor. And don’t even get me started on homemade pizza nights—basil is the star!
But if you’re growing more than you can keep up with (hello, abundance!), pesto is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to preserve that harvest.
Here’s our go-to recipe for homemade basil pesto:
⸻
🌿 Homemade Basil Pesto
Ingredients:
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ⅓ cup pine nuts (or try walnuts for a twist)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, peeled
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
Instructions:
1. In a food processor, pulse the basil and nuts until finely chopped.
2. Add garlic and cheese, and pulse again.
3. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.
Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze in ice cube trays to use all year long!
⸻
Whether you’re making pesto, steeping basil in a jar of vinegar, or just garnishing a sandwich, basil is one of those herbs that keeps on giving. What’s your favorite way to use basil?
