Thursday, February 26, 2015

How To Freeze Fresh Basil

Basil Cubes=Delcious!
This recipe is as easy as they come.  These frozen basil "cubes" are packed with flavor.  I am using them to make Basil Vinaigrette for my favorite salad.  You can add these to soups and stews or put several together to have fresh basil pesto in just a couple of minutes.  LOVE this recipe and don't know why I didn't think to do this years ago.

How to freeze fresh Basil

Any amount of fresh basil leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
juice of half a lemon

Put fresh basil leaves in the bowl of a food processor.  Pour 1-2 tablespoons of oil over leaves.  Turn machine on and add a little more oil through feed tube as needed to make a thick paste.  Squeeze half a lemon over and process again.
Using a spatula, transfer contents of food processor bowl to a measuring cup --to make it easy to pour into your ice cube tray.  Pour basil mixture into each of the wells of an ice cube tray, using spatula to smooth the top.  Cover tray with plastic wrap and put into the freezer.  Once basil cubes are frozen store cubes in a freezer safe container for easy access.  They cubes come right out of the trays with a little help from an offset spatula or butter knife!