The best time to prepare basil oil is summer, when the basil is lush and fragrant. Basil oil is an excellent complement to light dishes as it gives taste and fragrance without covering the other flavors. Above all, it is simple to prepare as long as you have excellent fresh basil on hand.
Ingrediants
Basil oil prepared by blanching the basil in water and blending it
For 200 ml of basil oil
- 35 g of basil leaves
- 180 ml of extra virgin olive oil
Basil oil prepared by heating the basil in oil and blending it
For 300 ml of basil oil
- 60-75 g of basil leaves
- 250 ml of extra virgin olive oil
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Basil Oil by Blanching the Basil in Water and Blending it
Step 1. Prepare the fresh basil leaves
About 35 g will be needed to flavor 200 ml of extra virgin olive oil. You can use the basil you have grown in your garden or buy it from a direct grower or supermarket.
There are several varieties of basil. The most common in Italy is called "sweet basil" and goes perfectly with traditional local dishes. The Thai basil that is used to flavor Asian dishes is slightly more spicy and contains notes of licorice and cloves. There are also a variety of basil that has a lemon aftertaste and purple basil, which as the name suggests has a purple color and is also more spicy than the classic one. You can use the type of basil you prefer, it just depends on your tastes and how you intend to use the flavored oil
Step 2. Boil some water
Take a medium-sized pot, fill it with water and put it on the stove.
Step 3. Pour the basil leaves into the boiling water
Blanching the basil helps preserve its bright green color. You can let them blanch for about ten seconds or up to a minute, depending on your preferences. The more you leave it in the water, the more it will be wilted. Be careful not to let it boil too long to prevent it from losing flavor.
Step 4. Drain the basil leaves
Pour the contents of the pot into a colander. The leaves must be placed immediately under cold running water to interrupt the cooking process. When they have cooled, lay them on a few dry sheets of kitchen paper.
Step 5. Gently pat the leaves dry
Press them gently without squeezing them to prevent essential oils from being absorbed by the paper.
Step 6. Put the basil leaves in the blender (or food processor) then add 200 ml of extra virgin olive oil
Step 7. Blend the leaves
Turn on the blender and continue blending until the mixture has a uniform color and consistency.
Step 8. Store the oil in the refrigerator
If you don't intend to use it right away, transfer the basil oil to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last about a week.
Method 2 of 3: Prepare the Basil Oil by heating the basil in the oil and blending it
Step 1. Press a bunch of fresh basil
The leaves should be a nice bright green color and free from spots. You can buy basil or grow it yourself in the garden or on the balcony. Remove the leaves and discard the stems.
Oil prepared with this method generally has a more intense taste, as basil is cooked in oil rather than water
Step 2. Pour the oil and basil into the blender
Put 60-75 g of fresh basil leaves in the blender (or food processor), add 250 ml of extra virgin olive oil and blend until the mixture has a uniform consistency and color.
Step 3. Heat a pan
Place a small skillet on the stove and turn the stove on over medium-high heat.
Step 4. Add the oil and basil mixture
Pour it into the pan and let it heat for 3 minutes, then turn off the stove and take the pot away from the heat.
Don't let the oil reach the boiling point. It should simmer gently and steadily, reduce the heat if necessary
Step 5. Filter the oil
Place a fine mesh strainer over an open airtight container, then pour the oil into it. Do not press the basil fragments that are retained by the meshes to prevent them from falling into the oil. Gently shake the colander to help the oil pass through.
Step 6. Store the oil in the refrigerator
Close the container and put it in the refrigerator. The basil oil will last about a week.
Method 3 of 3: Using Basil Oil
Step 1. Use it on toast
Cut the bread into slices, toast it in the oven or on the barbecue, then pour the oil over it.
Step 2. Use it on the caprese salad
Alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella, then season them with salt and basil oil for a simple and delicious caprese salad.
Step 3. Use it on soups
You can use basil oil to add flavor and aroma to tomato soup, gazpacho and many other soups made with fresh ingredients and with a mild taste. Pour it over the top just before serving.
Step 4. Use it on bruschetta or in sandwiches
Basil oil goes well with most ingredients. Pour it on the bruschetta or on bread to give it an extra note of flavor. You can try pairing it with cheeses, eggs, tuna and cold cuts.
Step 5. Use it on vegetables
You can steam them and season them with a drizzle of basil oil and salt for a healthy, colorful and tasty side dish.
