Basil
Ocimum sp.
Basil grow well in full sun to partial shade with well drained soil. On average it can grow to 1' tall (depending on the variety). Basil is a popular Greek and Itlaian cuisine.
*Garden Cuisine Basil includes: Cinnamon, Dolly, Genovese, Genovese Red Freddy, Licorice, Mammoth, Minette, Mrs. Burns Lemon, Nufar, Oriental Breeze, Pesto Perpetuo, Sacred, Sacred Purple, Savour, Siam Queen, Spicy Bush, Sweet, Thai Magic, Wild Red.
Recipes
Margherita Pizza
25 minutes
Ingredients:
Flour
Pizza Dough
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 pound fresh mozzarella (shredded works well)
Whole basil leaves
Sea salt and ground black pepper
Directions:
Heat the oven to 500° F. Lightly flour your work surface, cut the pizza dough in half and roll out two 1/2 inch thick crusts.
Brush one crust with olive oil, Sprinkle half of the minced garlic over the pizza. Slightly overlap the slices of tomato and basil leaves over the surface of the crust. Add the mozzarella.
Repeat with second crust and bake 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is brown and bubbling.
Submitted by: Judy V.
Fresh Tomato Sauce
Prepare 2 hours before meal
Ingredients:
1 to 1-1/2 pounds fresh and ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
pinch of red pepper flakes
2-3 tbsps. fresh basil, chopped
Directions:
Remove the stems and cores of the tomatoes. Make sure to remove all of the seeds. Chop the tomatoes and place them in a glass bowl. Add the oil and toss. Add the sliced garlic, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and basil. Toss lightly. Set aside at room temperature to let the flavors in the sauce develop
Submitted by: Sally B.