The Beauty of Basil
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden.
My favorite thing about summer is basil.
From the shape of the leaf to the delicate fragrance to the way it makes a dish come to life, there is, for me, no summer cooking without fresh basil. I smile each morning as I water the huge pot of it that grows outside my back door, easily in reach of a quick snip.
An aromatic annual plant native to India, basil has been revered by many cultures for many years, particularly ancient Greeks, who called it ‘basilikon,’ meaning ‘royal.’ While used worldwide, basil is most abundantly found in Mediterranean, Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian cooking.
With about 60 varieties of this fabulous herb, you’ll find this stocky plant grows from 8 to 24 inches in height, with round or lance-shaped leaves which vary in color from green to reddish to purple. The leaves are quite fragile and lose their flavor after flowering at the tips of the stems, so it’s always best to harvest the leaves before the plant blossoms. The flavor of basil can vary with each variety, with the most popular being reminiscent of lemon, anise, clove, thyme and camphor…as well as good ole’ sweet basil, my personal favorite.
Basil is best fresh and in season. Summer is its time, making it the quintessential seasoning for tomatoes. It also loves to be paired with garlic and onions and oh, how it loves lemon and olive oil. Used in everything from pasta to pesto, basil adds a delightful sparkle to almost any dish.
Ideally, (at least in my book) grow your own basil in your garden, in a pot or on a sunny window sill. Freshly snipped and used in cooking, the flavor is without peer. When buying fresh basil, look for leaves that are slightly shiny and very perky. Wilted basil is old and will wither within a day. Avoid blackened, soft leaves as they will rot the rest of the bunch. Once home, place the basil, as you would a bouquet of flowers in a small glass of water. Loosely drape a plastic bag over the leaves and refrigerate. Basil will last several days stored in this manner.
When cooking with fresh basil, remember that the flavor is easily destroyed by heat, so always add it at the end of cooking to preserve its subtleties.
Believed to work in the body as an antiseptic, tonic and stomach aid, basil leaves can be steeped in boiled water for 10 minutes to make a tea that can aid in curing tummy troubles.
And now, my favorite summer pasta dish…
Rigatoni al Basilico
When the weather is hot and sticky and you want a dinner that is light and satisfying…this can’t be beat.
Makes 4-6 servings
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, thinly sliced
1 red onion, thin half-moon slices
sea salt
40-50 fresh basil leaves, left whole
1 pound dried rigatoni
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Place oil, garlic and onions in a deep skillet and turn heat to medium. When the onions begin to sizzle, add a generous pinch of salt and sauté for 2 minutes. Add basil leaves, season to taste with salt and sauté for 7-10 minutes.
When the water boils, add a pinch of salt and rigatoni. Cook al dente; drain well, but do not rinse. Add pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with basil. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.
