Herbed Olive Oil
Recipe by Chef Chris Prosperi
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup cilantro
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup parsley (or mint) leaves
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Preparation
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender or a food processor fitted with the chopping blades.
- Turn the machine on high and process for 1 ½ minutes.
- Herbed oil can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 2 weeks. Or it can be frozen for up to 6 months.
- Allow herbed oil to warm to room temperature before serving.
- This oil has multple uses. It can be used as a marinade, a base for salad dressing, a bread dip or a “sauce” for pasta. The possibilities are endless.
From Colander to Classroom
An Educational Experience
Basil - Ocimum basilicum
Basil is one of the most popular and widely grown herbs. Sweet basil is the most common variety, but there are many other types - lemon, holy, cinnamon, opal basil, etc. - many of which are basics in Asian cooking.
In this country we mostly associate basil with Italian cooking. But most likely basil is native to India, though there are some indications it may have originated even farther east. Ancient records (907 AD) indicate sweet basil in the Hunan region of China. Basil migrated westward as whole plants (it is easily grown indoors). Lucky us!
A member of the large mint family, basil was used as an embalming/ preserving herb, found in mummies of ancient Egypt. Ancient Greeks named it “the royal herb”. In India basil is sacred. In ancient times, basil was thought to create prosperity and success. In Mexico, it is believed that fresh basil leaves have the power to return a lover's wandering eye.
Next time you make your favorite recipe with basil, or just savor the leaves themselves, perhaps you'll feel “royal” yourself!
Information adapted from:
(August 30, 2008)
|
|
Simsburytown Shops
928 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 651-1908
Metro-to-Go (860) 651-7417
|
|
