All varieties of Basil are a great addition to have in your culinary garden (and we have many varieties to choose from at The Herbary) but Lemon Basil is a particular favorite and a natural for the long hot days of summer.
Lemon Basil is great in salads, curries and grilled dishes. It's used almost exclusively in Indonesia and is very popular in Thailand and Laos.
Lemon Basil really shines in beverages and frozen treats. You can make a simple syrup with fresh leaves and use in all kinds of cold drinks and cocktails. You could also make a thicker syrup with it and use over ice cream or blend directly in frozen desserts. Try some to give an extra twist to a Key Lime Pie recipe!
We use the Lemon Basil we grow in our Lemon Delight Vinegar. This vinegar is a mixture of many lemony herbs and is so great with all kinds of vegetables and fish. Just mix with oil for a great salad dressing.
Lemon Basil is easy to grow, but sometimes can be slow to take off. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to water the leaves. If the days get too hot (Basil prefers 70's and 80's) move to a shaded area.
Here's a easy recipe to make a simple syrup with Lemon Basil (or any herb). Add to soda water, lemonade, water or iced tea! Yum! Try in a cocktail - a Vodka Gimlet would be delicious with this syrup.
Use 1 part sugar to 2 parts water. We'll do one cup sugar for this recipe.
Lemon Basil Syrup
Bring it all to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Let it sit for about an hour covered. Transfer to an airtight container and set in fridge and chill until cold. Take out and strain the liquid in a sieve or fine strainer. Press the herbs and peels to get out any remaining liquid and discard. Cover and keep in fridge. Should last at least a week, possibly longer.
Come by Blue Heron Herbary to pick up some Lemon Basil and Lemon Delight Vinegar or find us at the local Portland Farmers Markets.
You can also purchase the Lemon Delight Vinegar on the Blue Heron Herbary online shop.
Lemon Basil is great in salads, curries and grilled dishes. It's used almost exclusively in Indonesia and is very popular in Thailand and Laos.
Lemon Basil really shines in beverages and frozen treats. You can make a simple syrup with fresh leaves and use in all kinds of cold drinks and cocktails. You could also make a thicker syrup with it and use over ice cream or blend directly in frozen desserts. Try some to give an extra twist to a Key Lime Pie recipe!
We use the Lemon Basil we grow in our Lemon Delight Vinegar. This vinegar is a mixture of many lemony herbs and is so great with all kinds of vegetables and fish. Just mix with oil for a great salad dressing.
Lemon Basil is easy to grow, but sometimes can be slow to take off. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to water the leaves. If the days get too hot (Basil prefers 70's and 80's) move to a shaded area.
Here's a easy recipe to make a simple syrup with Lemon Basil (or any herb). Add to soda water, lemonade, water or iced tea! Yum! Try in a cocktail - a Vodka Gimlet would be delicious with this syrup.
Use 1 part sugar to 2 parts water. We'll do one cup sugar for this recipe.
Lemon Basil Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups fresh Lemon Basil
- Lemon Peels (optional, but a nice addition)
Bring it all to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Let it sit for about an hour covered. Transfer to an airtight container and set in fridge and chill until cold. Take out and strain the liquid in a sieve or fine strainer. Press the herbs and peels to get out any remaining liquid and discard. Cover and keep in fridge. Should last at least a week, possibly longer.
Come by Blue Heron Herbary to pick up some Lemon Basil and Lemon Delight Vinegar or find us at the local Portland Farmers Markets.
You can also purchase the Lemon Delight Vinegar on the Blue Heron Herbary online shop.
RSS Feed
