Ways to Preserve Fresh Basil

Dried Basil

• One way to preserve fresh basil is to dry it. The first step is to line a wire drying rack with cheesecloth. Place the basil leaves flat on the drying rack in a warm place. A window that receives afternoon sunshine works well. Let the air pass through the cheesecloth until the leaves are dry. This can take a few days, depending upon the temperature and level of humidity in your home. You can use the oven to dry basil; however, note that heating the basil above 90 degrees F will lessen the robust flavor. Store the dried basil in plastic containers with airtight lids, in a cool and dark place, for up to one year.

Freezing Basil

• Freezing basil is easy to do and allows you to have fresh-tasting basil on hand whenever you need it for recipes. You can freeze basil by simply placing the leaves in a plastic bag with a zip-lock fastener after blanching it. Another way to freeze basil is by adding olive oil to the leaves prior to placing the basil in the freezer. "Good Housekeeping" magazine suggests placing 2 cups of leaves in a food processor, adding 2 tbsp. olive oil and pulsing until the basil olive oil mixture is pureed. Place the pureed basil in ice-cube trays and freeze small squares of ready-to-use basil for any time of the year. Simply drop the basil cubes in your heating sauce for added flavor.

Short-Term Preservation

• If you know you are going to be using the basil within a week, you can preserve it in the short term. Place the basil leaves in a jar of water, cover with plastic wrap and place inside the refrigerator for a week. Simply pull the leaves out of the jar and add them to your dishes.

Considerations

• Dried basil tends to have a stronger flavor if you rub the basil between your fingers as you add it to a dish. Also, many ovens do not heat below 140 degrees F; if a warming drawer is available on your oven, you can use this to dry basil. A toaster oven set on the lowest setting may work as well; monitor the basil carefully so you do no end up cooking the herb.