IT'S TIME TO STOCK UP!!

IT'S BASIL SEASON TIME!!  TIME TO HARVEST YOUR OWN - OR STOCK UP NOW AT YOUR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET.  DON'T WORRY - IT'LL KEEP ALL YEAR.  HOW, YOU ASK?  READ ON...

Did you know that basil can be frozen for later use? Absolutely!  With it being summertime and the abundance that is available to us, now is the time to stock up! So if you have some extra and you want to keep it fresh, you can store the herb in your freezer. It's quick and easy!

Here are two ways to do it:

Pick off the fresh leaves from the stems, then wash and dry them. Then...

• Get an empty clean ice cube tray and place as many leaves as you can into each cube slot.
  
• Add water, pushing the herbs down when they begin to float. Place the tray in the freezer.

• Make a paste by placing the herb in a blender using ¼ cup water per 1 cup of herb. Blend thoroughly.
  
• Fill an empty, clean ice cube tray with the paste and place in the freezer. 
  

Once the cubes are frozen, take them out and place them in a plastic freezer bag. It couldn't be easier!!

Now you have fresh basil that will last up to ONE year in your freezer! (It never lasts that long in my house) This will also work with many other herbs, including parsley, chives and cilantro.  Then, throughout the year you can add it to your soups, salad dressings, or make pesto (YUM!).
 
Make sure to check out my fabulous raw pesto recipe!