Basil Oil

Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow at home. It is an herb that is commonly used in many dishes, and it is great to have on hand. Plus, basil is an excellent plant for beginners. So, you don’t need a green thumb to be able to keep your basil green, alive, and thriving. Basil is easy to grow, but it is still best grown with lots of direct sunlight. So, make sure to keep it outdoors or near a window. 

I grew lots of basil this year in my garden, and it has made it easy for me to pick a few basil leaves whenever I need them. The basil plant was very affordable, and it only cost $5.99 from Trader Joe’s. After I took it home, I took the plant out of the pot and replanted it in the garden. This plant has come in handy for the many home-cooked meals that have needed basil. So far, I have used the leaves on the basil plant for the last three months. It has been producing an abundance of healthy basil leaves, and I have been able to make things like basil oil, basil pesto, and basil butter. I will be sharing these three recipes with you this month! 

For now, here is my basil oil recipe. Basil oil is fragrant olive oil with a strong basil flavor. It is surprisingly easy to make, and it can make many dishes taste better. Just imagine a tasty pasta dish with some flavorful basil olive oil drizzled on top. 

Regular Olive Oil vs. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil?

The best olive oil is extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is very different from light olive oil or just plain olive oil since it is made from ground-up, pure olives that are cold-pressed into oil. Extra virgin olive oil is healthier since it is not as processed and has more natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Regular olive oil is also more refined and has less flavor than high-quality extra virgin olive oil. 

How Can You Tell If Olive Oil is High Quality? 

When buying olive oil, you should always look for one that is in a dark container. Olive oil must be kept in the dark to preserve its sharp, bitter flavor. Buying a clear bottle of extra virgin olive oil means that it likely has little to no flavor. You should also buy extra-virgin olive oil from a trusted brand to be sure you are buying a high-quality product. Also, don’t be fooled by the term cold-pressed, as it means the same thing as extra-virgin.

What Do You Use Basil Oil For? 

Basil oil can be used in any dish where you would want to enhance the dish’s flavor with a robust basil flavor. I love to use it as a dipping sauce and pair it with a piece of bread. A crusty ciabatta bread tastes amazing with this herb-flavored oil. You can even get fancy and make your own homemade bread. It can also be used in place of regular oil, and you can add it to salads such as a Caprese salad. Some people also like to use it to top off a piece of grilled fish or drizzle it on a pasta dish. 

What Other Flavors of Oil Can I Make? 

While basil oil is one of the most popular flavored olive oils, you can also make lemon, blood orange, garlic, rosemary, or chili. If you feel like making premium flavored olive oil, you can also make a black truffle olive oil. Black truffle olive oil has an earthy, pungent flavor that makes it unique.