Here is a fun fact for you: basil is actually part of the mint family. Basil is leafy green herb that adds a sweet note to your dishes. Learn more about basil in this post.

There are a few different types of basil:

Sweet Basil – this is the type of basil I am referring to in this post.

Holy Basil

Thai Basil

You can use Basil in many different ways:

Pesto

Tomato Sauce – to add sweetness and cut the acidity of tomatoes. Tomato and basil are a match made. You will hardly find a tomato sauce without basil.

Seasoning – the dried form to season dishes such as oven roasted vegetables.

Fresh vs Dried

Fresh – the flavor profile of fresh basil is preferred in tomato sauces, pesto’s and in pasta dishes. When cooking with fresh basil, add the basil in at the end to preserve the bright flavor.

Dried – dried basil is great for using on oven roasted vegetables, dressings, sauces (when fresh basil is not available). You can add a sprinkle of dried basil in pizza dough for a unique and complimentary flavor.

Health Benefits of Basil:

(I am not a doctor. Consult your doctor before making any changes. I am just simple sharing this information)

Basil is antiseptic herbs which means that is may prevent the growth of disease-causing organisms. In addition to its antiseptic properties, basil may reduce your LBL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Basil is a natural insect repellent. Handy for those pesky mosquitoes.

Let me know in the comments your favorite way to use basil. Thank you for reading this post. Interested in learning about different whole-foods, herbs, and spices? Read through my collection of Whole-Food Guides.

Join my email list for notifications when I upload new content on the blog.