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Growing Basil Indoors

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Growing Your Own Basil Garden Indoors

Growing Basil Indoors....

Most ingredients are better when fresh, and basil is no exception. Harvest some fresh from your garden and add to your favorite recipes. But what if it's winter or you don't have a garden? No problem! Basil is one herb you can grow inside.

Keep out of reach of pets and young children. Some pets are notorious chewers who can destroy your basil plants. And with children, accidents can happen before you know it. So keep plants out of their reach.
Pick a good sunny spot for your basil. Basil needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to thrive, so a sunny windowsill is best.
Use a herb planter or strawberry pot and nutrient-rich soil. These are available at most gardening centers. Ideally, the pH of your soil should be between 6.0 and 7.5. Test for pH every 4-6 weeks and add organic fertilizer as needed.
Water often. Soil should be wet but not drenched. Be sure excess water can drain through a hole in the bottom of your pot.

How To Grow Basil

How to Grow Basil: by eHow | video info

200 ratings | 82,468 views

curated content from YouTube

For Best Results

Harvest first thing in the morning. This helps lock in the flavor.

Snip off the flowers before they start to bloom. Basil will begin growing tall spikes of long, white flowers in late summer. By snipping them off and harvesting your basil before your plants start to flower, you can preserve the flavor.

Harvest at least once a week. Gently wash and dry the leaves. Chop the leaves by hand or in a food processor.

You can freeze basil, so don't worry about using it up if you're getting a lot of it.

Basil can also be dried. Snip off the stems, tie into one-inch bundles with string, and hang upside down in a cool, dry, dark place.

Important!

Harvesting Tip....

Harvesting basil leaves first thing in the morning will capture their best flavor. The best leaves are from young stems that have yet to flower.

Source: Guide To Houseplants

Stock Up On Supplies

Amazon.com makes it easy to find what you need to grow basil indoors.

Basil As An Ingredient

Basil is a versatile herb most commonly associated with Italian dishes. It is a good addition to vegetarian recipes, pizza, chicken, fish and soups. The Food Network featured this Italian green bean recipe on their All Star Thanksgiving Special show hosted by Giada De Laurentiis.

Italian Green Beans-Food Network: by FoodNetworkTV | video info

29 ratings | 12,889 views

curated content from YouTube

Sweet Basil Cheescake

Serves: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 5 hr 35 min

Food Network has many varieties of recipes from famous food personalities such as Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri and others. Here's a delicious recipe from Food Network own Giada De Laurentiis.

Ingredients

Butter for greasing the pan
1/2 cup (4 ounces) ricotta cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
1/3 cup (3 ounces) goat cheese at room temperature
1 tablespoon sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
1 large egg yolk at room temperature
Pinch fine sea salt
1/2 packed cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for serving
Serving suggestion: assorted crackers
Special equipment: 4 1/2-inch diameter springform pan
about 2 1/2 inches tall

Instructions

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 4 1/2-inch diameter springform pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper. Wrap the outside of the pan with a piece of heavy-duty foil.

Place the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and goat cheese in a food processor. Pulse

until mixed. Add the sugar, egg, egg yolk, and salt and blend until smooth. Add the basil and pulse until incorporated. Pour the cheese mixture into the prepared pan. Place the pan in an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking dish. Pour enough hot water in the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the cheesecake is golden at the edges and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken (the cheesecake will become firm when chilled), about 50 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the springform pan from the baking dish and remove the foil. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 3 hours and up to 2 days. Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Allow the cheesecake to come to room temperature before serving, about 30 minutes.

Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the cheesecake with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with assorted crackers.

Printable Version

Herb Garden Starter Kits For Sale

Spicy Basil Guacamole

Serves: 2 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Paula Deen's Website features a variety of recipes for basil, ranging from appetizers and snacks to main dishes and soups.

Ingredients

3 medium ripe avocados (recommended: Hass) halved pitted peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 medium ripe red tomato seeded and coarsely chopped
Juice from 1 lime and 1 lemon
2 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Mash one of the chopped avocados in a large bowl. Add remaining chopped avocados, garlic, tomato, lemon and lime juice, onions, basil leaves, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Mix well. Serve immediately, or sprinkle a little extra lemon juice on top, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to two days.

Printable Version

Excellent Cookbooks For Cooking with Basil

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