This tasty herb can be used in multiple ways in cooking, for everything from flavoursome main courses to desserts and even drinks.
Maite Paternain/NZ House & Garden
Basil Ice Cream
BASIL ICE CREAM
Serves 4
Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves
Can of sweetened condensed milk
Double cream
Vanilla essence
Method
Blanch 45g basil leaves in salted boiling water, drain in a fine sieve over an ice bath and squeeze out excess moisture. Purée the leaves with 3 tablespoons condensed milk. In a large bowl, beat 500ml double cream with 1 teaspoon vanilla essence until thick. Add remainder of condensed milk and basil purée and continue beating. Pour mixture into a plastic container and place in the freezer. Mix with a fork every 45 minutes until almost frozen, or use an ice cream machine. Remove ice cream from the freezer 10 minutes before serving.
READ MORE:
* Recipe: Spiced Lamb Hand Pies with Quick Tomato Sauce
* Recipe: Caramelised Onion & Blue Cheese Scrolls
* Recipe: Blueberry Cream Cheese Squares
Maite Paternain/NZ House & Garden
Basil Spritz
BASIL SPRITZ
Serves 1
Ingredients
White vermouth
Basil leaves
Sparkling white wine
Method
In a cocktail shaker or lidded jar combine 30ml white vermouth with 3 basil leaves and some ice. Strain the liquid into a glass, add fresh ice and top with 120ml sparkling white wine. Garnish with more basil leaves.
Maite Paternain/NZ House & Garden
Thai Basil & Prawn Noodles
THAI BASIL & PRAWN NOODLES
Serves 4
Ingredients
Chilli
Ginger
Garlic
Grapeseed oil
Prawns
Broccolini
Vermicelli noodles
Fish sauce
Lemon juice
Cherry tomatoes
Thai basil
Mint
Coriander
Peanuts
Method
Marinade: Grind together 1 chilli (seeds removed, chopped), 2 tablespoons grated ginger, 4 crushed cloves garlic and 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil.
Prawn noodles: Place 750g prawns (peeled, deveined, tail on) in half of the marinade, reserving the rest. Cook prawns until pink. Blanch 250g broccolini for 1 minute then plunge into ice water. Cook 125g noodles according to packet instructions, then stir in 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, ⅓ cup fish sauce and 1/3 cup lemon juice with the remaining marinade.
To assemble: Toss prawns, broccolini, noodles, 250g cherry tomatoes, ½ cup Thai basil leaves, and a cup each of mint and coriander leaves with the dressing. Serve immediately, garnished with 2-3 teaspoons chopped peanuts.
Maite Paternain/NZ House & Garden
Honey Roasted Strawberries & Mascarpone Cream with Purple Basil
HONEY ROASTED STRAWBERRIES & MASCARPONE CREAM WITH PURPLE BASIL
Serves 4
Ingredients
Strawberries
Runny honey
Vanilla essence
Lemon juice
Mascarpone
Crème fraîche
Purple basil leaves
Method
Preheat oven to 160˚C. Place 750g halved strawberries in a tray, drizzle with 2 tablespoons runny honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and combine. Bake for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 250g mascarpone, 250g crème fraîche, 8 tablespoons runny honey and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. Serve strawberries hot with the cream, sprinkled with ⅓ cup purple basil leaves.
Maite Paternain/NZ House & Garden
Tomato & Greek Basil Tarte Tatin with Buffalo Mozzerella
TOMATO & GREEK BASIL TARTE TATIN WITH BUFFALO MOZZARELLA
Serves 4
Ingredients
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Honey
Thyme sprigs
Mixed tomatoes
Grated parmesan cheese
Fine breadcrumbs
Puff pastry
Buffalo mozzarella, Greek basil leaves, freshly ground black pepper
Method
Heat some olive oil in a cast-iron pan. Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey and 3-4 thyme sprigs then 700g tomatoes and cook over medium heat until tomatoes pop and release some of the juices. Remove pan from heat and cool for a few minutes. Preheat oven to 200˚C. Sprinkle tomatoes with 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs and cover with 1 sheet of puff pastry. Prick the pastry with a fork and bake the tarte for 25 minutes or until golden. Invert a large plate over the pan and flip the tarte tatin onto the plate. Serve with buffalo mozzarella, Greek basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.