10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil

Pick up a bunch (or two!) of this fragrant herb while it’s in season. And don’t worry about how you’ll manage to use it all—there are just so many delicious ways.

Pesto

Go the traditional route and whip up a mean pesto sauce. Use as a condiment or as a sauce for fish or pasta dishes.

Ina’s Pesto

Infused Oil

Infuse your favorite olive oil with basil. It only takes a few minutes!

Basil Oil

Appetizers

Having a few guests over? Whip up simple finger foods using fresh basil leaves.

Tomato Mozzarella and Basil Bruschetta

Black Pepper Basil Farmers Cheese Bruschetta

Tomato, Watermelon and Basil Skewers

Vegetable Soups

Whip up a batch of a summer veggie soup–add ribbons of chopped basil for more seasonal flair.

Tomato Basil Soup

Summer Squash Soup with Basil

Salads

Basil pairs nicely with a wide variety of seasonal veggies. Just chop and toss into your favorite salad.

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Potato, Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad

Pizza

Toss whole basil leaves on your favorite pizza when it’s hot out of the oven. Delicious!

Mushroom, Onion and Basil Pizza

Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Fish & Seafood Dishes

Tomato and basil are a match made in seafood heaven. Combine with shrimp or halibut for a delicious main dish.

Halibut with Pepitas, Capers, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

Thai Shrimp Stir-Fry with Tomatoes and Basil- Slimmed

Garlic Basil Shrimp

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil and Salmon

Sides

Use aromatic basil to punch up your everyday sides.

Sauteed Asparagus with Olives and Basil

Roasted Peppers with Basil

Frozen Desserts

Basil also goes well with fruit like watermelon, lime, lemon, mango and strawberries. Combine for variety of mouthwatering frozen treats.

Basil Lemon Ice

Basil and Lime Sorbet

Strawberries with Basil Granita

Cocktails

Don’t forget your cocktails! Muddle basil into lemon or berry-based drinks to balance out the sweetness.

Fresh Strawberry Balsamic Basil Daiquiri

What to Look For

At the market, choose basil with bright green leaves and avoid those with black, brown or yellow spots.

How to Store

Once you get home, place the cut stems in a container of water and keep it on the windowsill for about a week. The water should be changed every other day. You can also store basil wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator drawer for up to 4 days.

Repost from https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/recipes/2013/07/10-ways-to-use-up-fresh-basil