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lorich
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Member since 6/05 9987 total posts
Name:
Grammie says "Lora Gina"
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Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
I'd like to freeze some of my fresh basil this year. I've googled and read tons of tips, etc. - chopping, ice cubes, oil & water, blanching...
Anyone here have any tips? What is it that you do?
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Posted 7/22/07 12:03 PM  |
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Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
I blanch the leaves and then wrap in freezer paper and freezer zippies.
I only keep them about 2-3 months though.
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| Posted 7/22/07 12:05 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
this year i'm making pesto from my herbs at the end of the season. I'm also going to try keeping a small pot with basil alive on my kitchen windowsill this winter. a few expert gardeners i know said its pretty easy.
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| Posted 7/22/07 12:09 PM |
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firsttimer
Member since 5/07 1532 total posts
Name:
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
I just tried this - basil in a water filled pitcher - and it didn't last long.
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| Posted 7/22/07 6:04 PM |
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
You want to chop and freeze in water in your ice cube try. It works wonderful! Put the ice cubes in a zip bag so it doesn't get freezer burn. Just drop the frozen cube in whatever you are cooking! Have fun,
Robin
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| Posted 7/23/07 8:58 AM |
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HappyWife
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/06 484 total posts
Name:
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
Posted by waitingfortori
You want to chop and freeze in water in your ice cube try. It works wonderful! Put the ice cubes in a zip bag so it doesn't get freezer burn. Just drop the frozen cube in whatever you are cooking! Have fun,
Robin
I've tried all sorts of different ways and I found that this works the best. You may want to try topping off the ice cube tray with a little bit of olive oil b/c the chopped basil will sort of float to the top and can stick out a bit.
Pesto lasts for a pretty long time if frozen so you could just make a big batch.
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| Posted 7/23/07 1:06 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
Posted by waitingfortori
You want to chop and freeze in water in your ice cube try. It works wonderful! Put the ice cubes in a zip bag so it doesn't get freezer burn. Just drop the frozen cube in whatever you are cooking! Have fun,
Robin
That's the only way that works for me...
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| Posted 7/23/07 1:07 PM |
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jes81276
summer fun!
Member since 3/06 4962 total posts
Name:
Jaime
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
I dedicate an ice cube tray to basil...then whenever I need it (usually for some type of sauce) I just pop the ice cube out and into the sauce.
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| Posted 7/23/07 1:40 PM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Gardeners....Freezing Fresh Basil...
All I do is this:
Pick the basil
Wash thoroughly and spread out on a stack of paper towels. Let sit overnight to dry thoroughly.
Stack 4-6 large leaves together (enough for 1 sauce). Wrap in square of plastic wrap. Wrap each stack individually.
Put all wrapped stacks in an airtight container and freeze. It will stay FOREVER!!
When needed, remove 1 wrapped stack and either let defrost, then use. Or just crush the leaves and they will flake right into your sauce.
I've done this for YEARS!!!!! My mother has done this since the beginning of time. Works every time!
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| Posted 7/23/07 4:17 PM |
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