Ocimum sp. - [Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), O. x citriodorum (lemon basil), O. minimum (Greek basil)]

• Basil belongs to the mint family
• One of the best ways to store fresh basil is to purée the leaves with a little water or olive oil and freeze in ice-cube trays.
  • Sweet basil - best for pesto or pistou, tomato salads - it also combines well with garlic
  • Purple basil - use with rice & grains & to add colour to salads
  • Thai basil - used in Thai green curry paste - added at the end of cooking to balance spices
  • Holy basil - essential ingredient in a Thai dish of stir-fried chicken with chillies & basil and extensively used in meat curries
  • Lemon basil - popular in Indonesia, served best fried with fish & seafood, or add to salads, scatter over poached scallops, grilled fish or pork kebabs
• Add to salads
• Flavour tomatoes & tomato based dishes
• Pesto
• Sweet basil goes well with:
  • beans
  • peppers
  • aubergines
• Soups