Besides being known as an aromatic leaf that is able to delicious various dishes, it turns out that basil leaves are also often used as medicine because they are very rich in nutrients.
Interested in processing basil leaves into a fragrant and delicious pesto sauce? Be careful, if you don't understand how to store and process it, basil leaves can easily change color and lose their unique taste. Due to the high water content, basil leaves will not dry out as easily as other spice leaves. Unfortunately, the same conditions actually make the taste and color of basil leaves easily change if the leaves are chopped or left exposed to air. One of the easiest and best ways to store basil leaves is to freeze them.
Step
Step 1. Put the basil leaves in a container of water, away from direct sunlight
If you don't want to freeze them, store the leaves in a vase or jar filled with water and place them in a corner of the room that is not exposed to direct sunlight (this applies to basil leaves that you grow yourself or buy at the supermarket). This way, the basil leaves will stay fresh for up to two weeks after being stored. This method is suitable for those of you who plan to process basil leaves regularly in the next few weeks.
It's best to store basil leaves near the kitchen area so you don't forget to cook them
Step 2. Get ready to freeze the basil leaves
Wash the basil leaves, dry them:
- First of all, separate the leaves from the stems. If you want to use the method of freezing whole basil leaves, remove the stems and keep some of the young shoots.
- Wash the basil leaves, making sure you don't damage the texture of the leaves.
- Drain the leaves with a vegetable drainer or place them on a paper towel until the leaves dry out.
Step 3. Freeze the basil leaves by processing them into pesto sauce first
Place a handful or two of basil leaves in a food processor, add the virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, and process until smooth or to the desired consistency. Make sure each basil leaf is coated with olive oil to preserve the flavor and color. Pour the crushed basil leaves into an airtight container and add extra olive oil to the top. If you want to process it, melt the crushed basil leaves, and process again by adding the other ingredients of your favorite pesto sauce.
Step 4. Freeze whole basil leaves immediately
Although it takes longer, this method is still easy for you to apply and the results you can use to decorate various dishes.
- Arrange the sprouted leaves on a tray, place in the freezer, and let sit for 1-2 hours.
- Once the leaves have frozen, place them in an airtight container. Give the distance between the leaves, do not stack them or arrange them close together so that the shape of the leaves is maintained.
- If you want to process it, thaw the leaves, cut into desired pieces or use them whole as a garnish for pasta or soups.
Step 5. Freeze the basil leaves using a milk carton
This is the easiest method of freezing basil.
- Place the basil leaves in a cleaned milk carton.
- Cover the surface of the milk carton tightly.
- Store the carton in a plastic clip or other airtight container. Instead, use a 1 liter milk carton.
- If you want to process it, take the leaves as needed and keep the rest in the milk carton. Delicious frozen basil leaves are processed into various sauces.
Step 6. Try one (or all) of the easy ways to keep your basil fresh listed above
That way, whenever you need it, you can eat fresh basil leaves without needing to buy them again at the supermarket. Happy cooking!
Tips
- Process frozen basil leaves a maximum of 3 months after freezing.
- The above methods are suitable for all types of basil leaves that you can find in the supermarket.
- Use about 45 ml of olive oil for a pile of basil leaves that you put in a food processor.
- Learn how to grow the most appropriate basil leaves. If you have planted basil leaves in your yard, of course you hope to be able to harvest them when harvest season arrives. Do not forget to trim the parts that are not needed to stimulate plant growth.
- Make sure you coat each leaf with olive oil when processing it in a food processor. Oil is able to maintain the taste, freshness, and moisture of basil.
- Ice cube containers are suitable for freezing basil leaves; the dose of each box is 1 tbsp. (15 ml). This will make it easier for you to execute any basil-based sauce or soup recipe (if the recipe says 3 tbsp./45 ml basil leaves, you can simply dip 3 squares of frozen basil into the pot).
- Process the basil leaves until completely fine if you want to make a basil paste that can be frozen and turned into a pesto sauce. Once the desired consistency is reached, put the basil paste in a plastic clip and place it in the freezer. When you want to process it, simply break the frozen basil paste as needed. Much more practical!
- If you want to freeze the chopped basil, use this method: prepare an ice cube tray, fill each box with water (don't overfill it), then place the chopped basil into each of the boxes filled with water. Although the basil leaves will darken after freezing, the taste and aroma will remain the same.
