What part to use from fresh Basil leaves?
I was wondering what am I supposed to cut from basil leaves, do I only use the “blade” until the petiole or I should cut that too?
I know some things must be chopped in the right places because it may add sourness.
Also, can they be boiled or they should be eaten “raw”?
Best Answer
You can roll the leaves and thinly slice them (chiffonade), that's my preferred method. I've never had an instance where I cut basil and made it sour though.
I've never heard of boiling them, but I assume you could get the essential oils out with that method and could make an infused water. You can fry the basil leaves in oil as well to make a crunchy topping!
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Quick Answer about "What part to use from fresh Basil leaves?"
What part of fresh basil do you use?
The leaves are most often removed from the stem and either torn, cut into chiffonade, or finely chopped. They can also be used whole and added as a pizza topping or garnish. Thicker stems and stalks should be discarded because they tend to be bitter, but it is okay to include the small stems in dishes.Do you use basil stems or just leaves?
While stems are too tough to use in a recipe that calls for leaves (and can be a little bitter), they make a good addition to soups, sauces and more. One option is to cut them fine and stir them into rice or couscous along with some butter and a little bit of salt.Do you use the whole basil leaf?
Basil leaves are large and rarely used whole. Before using basil, chop as many leaves as you'll need into small pieces that will blend well into a sauce or savory dish. Make sure to rinse the herbs before chopping them to remove any specks of dirt.Do you take basil leaves from the top or bottom of the plant?
Even this very light harvesting will encourage your basil plant to grow fuller. It's best to harvest leaves from the top of the plant, which will lead to bushier, fuller growth. If you harvest the bottom leaves, the plant will grow lanky and thin, and it might not be as healthy or productive.More answers regarding what part to use from fresh Basil leaves?
Answer 2
I always just give fresh basil a chop and toss it in. You can use fresh herbs raw or cooked in any fashion you wish and find delicious. They are fairly forgiving as long as you don't let them spoil or burn them.
Answer 3
You can use the entire leaf, and stem - here's the only warning: the stems are very strong and potent!! If you are going to dry them in an effort to use the entire plant, make sure that you chop up the stems very fine and mix with the leaves (as mentioned in other post - chiffonade), spread out the entire mixture and let dry completely. In a couple of days the mixture will have dried out to the point where you can crush them and store in a small container. The mixture will last months!!
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