Basil in gastronomy
Basil in gastronomy, It is a very popular aromatic herb, as well as in traditional medicine. Its scientific name is Ocimum basilicum and it belongs to the family of the Lamiaceae. Basil is native to tropical Asia, although it is now cultivated throughout the world and is one of the most used herbs in Italian haute cuisine.
Basil is a very easy herb. Easy to grow at home. It can be planted in a garden, an orchard or a pot and is quite easy to care for. It needs many hours of sunlight and water regularly. It is a perennial plant in warm climates, but is grown as an annual in most places. The leaves of basil are oval and dark green, with a strong aroma of cloves and mint. Its flowers are white or pale pink and grow in groups of four to six at the tips of the branches.
In this article we will talk about the benefits of basil, its history, its multiple culinary uses and more. We will see how to grow basil at home and how to prepare home remedies and healthy recipes with this herb.
Origin of basil in gastronomy
For centuries, basil was thought to be It had healing properties and was used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, they used it to treat respiratory problems, headaches, fevers and stomach diseases.
Although basil is actually native to the India and has been cultivated there For more than 5,000 years, the ancient Greeks and Romans also used basil and considered it a sacred herb. During the Medieval era, this plant was used to combat witchcraft and it was thought to be able to protect against the evil eye.
In the 16th century, basil arrived ; It came to Europe thanks to the Spanish and Portuguese explorers who imported from India. Since then, basil has been considered one of the most popular herbs in Mediterranean cuisine, especially in Italy. Today it is grown in many countries, including Spain, Italy, France, the United States, Mexico, among others.
Basil in gastronomy
As you can imagine, basil It is a very versatile herb that can be used in a number of different dishes. It is very popular in Mediterranean cuisine and an especially key ingredient in Italian cuisine. It is used in dishes such as Margherita pizza, pesto sauce, tomato sauce, salad caprese and many others. It is also quite common in Thai cuisine to flavor dishes such as green curry.
Fresh basil is used in salads and cold dishes, while dried basil is better for hot dishes, such as pasta. It can also be used to make basil oil, very useful for flavoring dishes such as pasta and bread.
Basil is also used to the preparation of flavored oils, vinaigrettes, pesto and other sauces. Pesto is a traditional Italian basil sauce made with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It is used to season pasta dishes and also as a condiment for meats and fish.
Recipes with basil that are easy to prepare
Although basil is an aromatic herb; tica used as an ingredient, its versatility also allows it to be the protagonist of some dishes thanks to its characteristic touch of flavor, capable of providing personality to the food. I present to you some very easy basil recipes so you can experiment with this special herb:
- Caprese salad: cut ripe tomatoes and mozzarella into slices and place the slices on a plate. Add fresh basil leaves, salt, pepper, and drizzle the mixture with balsamic or modena vinegar and virgin olive oil.
- Basil pesto: crush fresh basil leaves with pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese and olive oil, you will get ;s a delicious sauce for pasta or toast.
- Marinara sauce: Saute minced garlic in olive oil until soft. Brown, add diced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and season with salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until the sauce thickens.
- Margherita pizza: spread a pizza dough on a tray and put it in the oven. Add tomato sauce, sliced mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. Finally, bake until the dough is set. crispy and golden.
- Grilled chicken with basil sauce: shred fresh basil leaves together with garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and nuts to make a sauce. Marinate the chicken in your prepared sauce for at least an hour before grilling.
Benefits of basil
The health benefits of basil They are multiple… Although healing ones may not be among them, basil is rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It also contains calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Also, one of the benefits The most notable thing about basil is its ability to reduce stress. It is It has been proven that the aroma of basil contains relaxing properties and can help reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Basil can also help improve heart health, since several studies have shown that it is capable of reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. </p >
On the other hand, basil can help It will improve digestion and reduce symptoms of intestinal inflammation. It has been shown that basil compounds can reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving digestion.
How to grow basil in your restaurant
Grow basil in your restaurant It is a very good way to have access to it at any time and ensure certain quality and low cost, in addition to being able to avoid the use of insecticides or pesticides. here I leave you some useful tips and care that basil needs to be grown in your restaurant.
- Choose a suitable place: basil, as we mentioned above, needs direct sunlight to grow well, which is why it is It is important to choose a place in your home that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. It is also essential that the place has good ventilation and is clean. protected from cold air currents.
- Choose a suitable pot: Basil grows best in pots that have a diameter and depth of at least 20cm . The pot you use should have holes in the base to allow water to drain.
- Prepare the right substrate: Basil needs a well-drained substrate rich in nutrients. You can mix garden soil with compost or worm castings to create a correct and quality substrate for the plant.
- Plant the basil: place the basil seeds on the surface of the prepared substrate, and cover them lightly with more substrate. Water carefully to keep the soil moist but be careful not to waterlog it.
- Care for Basil: Basil needs water regularly to stay healthy. Water it when the surface of the soil is moist. dry to the touch. It is also advisable to fertilize basil once a month with an organic fertilizer.
- Prune Basil: To keep your plant healthy, it is important to trim the top stems and prevent it from flowering. This will help The plant produces more leaves and maintains its compact shape.
- Preview Diseases: Basil is quite prone to fungal diseases such as downy mildew. dusty. To prevent this type of disease, avoid watering basil in the afternoon and keep the plant well ventilated.
If you manage to maintain these cares, like this, Like the tips I have told you about, you can grow basil at home in an easy and effective way. Plus, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of having your own fresh herbs on hand not only for cooking but also for preparing home remedies
If you don't have a green thumb, no problem, at Eggify you can find the basil supplier that best suits your needs. For example FRUITS SAGARRA in Barcelona
