Tired of the same old filling in your sandwich? Try this combination for a delicious change.
Take a few pieces of thinly sliced pumpkin and sliced leek and sauté in butter, oil or ghee. Arrange them on a slice of fresh bread, add some tomato slices (fresh or sun-dried), shredded basil leaves, baby spinach and a sprinkle of salt to taste. For extra flavour, add some mayonnaise.
The basil adds a fragrant clove-like flavour to the filling. It is a sweet, fragrant herb that complements tomato dishes particularly well.
The name "basil" comes from the Greek basileus —meaning "king"—and it is certainly considered the king of herbs by many cooks.
Fresh basil leaves complement a wide variety of foods, including eggs, fish (particularly salmon), lobster, eggplant, zucchini, capsicum and, of course, tomatoes. It is also a great addition to stews, juices and soup.
The flavour of basil is stronger in the summer when the sun increases its intensity. For the best flavour, pick the leaves just before the plant flowers as they have more oily substances that give the delicious aroma. Older leaves tend to have a sharper taste. Basil has a strong flavour so use it sparingly in cooking. It tends to lose its flavour quickly when cooked, however, so add it to dishes just before serving.
You can use basil leaves either dry or fresh, although the dried leaves have far less flavour. Store fresh leaves in a brown paper bag in the fridge and store dry leaves in a glass jar.
Herbalists often recommend basil for digestive complaints and a cup of basil tea after a meal helps aid digestion and dispels flatulence. It can also assist stomach cramps, vomiting and constipation. The herb has a slight sedative action and is sometimes recommended for headaches and anxiety.
Basil deters flies and mosquitoes, which makes it an excellent pot plant to have in your kitchen, or near the barbecue. Pick off the flowers to promote leaf growth and pinch out the top leaves as it gets taller. This will release its aroma to ward off flies and also help it grow bushier. Keep it in a sunny, sheltered position in light to sandy soil.
Feeds