Fundamentals of Pesto sauce. Enough said!
About: Italian Basil is a very popular and versatile herb that is extensively used across the world, especially in Italian and Thai cuisine. It originated in India and made its way to the Mediterranean where it became very famous. The herb has very large, oval and green aromatic leaves.
Health Benefits: Basil has been part of traditional medicines for centuries. It is rick in Vitamin K, antioxidants and multiple minerals such as calcium and potassium. It has antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants in it protect against certain types of cancer.
How to Use: Basil is the primary ingredient of the pesto sauce, and it is also a key ingredient in many other Italian sauces. Fresh and dried leaves are used in seasoning many Italian dishes such as pasta and pizza, and also meat, poultry, and fish. It is also used with Thai dishes such as green and red curry.
Fun Fact! There are over 60 varieties of basil. Several varieties are named for the way they smell or taste, such as lemon basil, cinnamon basil, and spicy bush basil.