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Goodness of basil
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Basil leaves, small and rich green in colour, have a pleasant smell and taste
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GREAT AROMA A bit of basil can do wonders to any dish PHTTO: S. THANTHONI
Basil is an aromatic herb that originated from the Asian sub-continent. Its name is derived from the Greek word "basilikos" meaning royal. The herb was meant to offer protection, love, wealth and prosperity to man. The Romans believed that basil was the herb of love. From the Asian sub-continent, it was introduced to Africa and the Mediterranean through the spice route. In India, basil is more popular as tulsi or holy basil.
Nutritional facts
The leaves, small and rich green in colour, have a pleasant smell and taste. Basil belongs to the mint family and has square stems, opposite leaves, flower spikes and oil glands. Both leaves and the extracted essential oil are used as flavouring agents in the cuisines of Southern France and Italy. Drying the basil leaves leads to a certain reduction in flavours because of the loss of essential oil. This is why basil, like mint and coriander, is preferred garden fresh. There are many different types of basil, the large and dwarf forms, with purple, green or variegated leaves, and the edible and ornamental ones.
Basil is a warm seasonal plant.The herb is most commonly associated with Italian, Thai and Mediterranean cuisine. Basil is well-known for its medicinal properties, such as the ability to draw out poison from insect bites and as a sedative.It also curries favour with physicians prescribing for digestive disorders, pain alleviation, and promoting perspiration; the latter it does by clearing the sweat glands. The most interesting factor is it promotes production of milk in nursing mothers. The juice of the basil leaf is widely accredited to have properties of purifying the blood, which, in turn, lowers the blood sugar level.
Cooking tips
It is usually used fresh to extract the maximum flavour. Add basil during the final stage of preparation to retain its flavour. As it is cooked, it turns black in minutes due to the presence of iron. Basil, like other fresh herbs, does not preserve well. Care should be taken not to store it in open and dry places. Refrigerate after use and soak it in water before you add it to the pot. The recipe below show how differently you could use basil to retain its flavour and nutrients and make for a tasty dish.
Grilled chicken with spices
Ingredients
Chicken supreme 6/180 gm
Iceberg lettuce few
Cucumber slice few
Tomato slice few
For spice
Fresh basil leaves 100 gm
Coriander leaves 4 gm
Mint leaves 4 gm
Ginger 4 gm
Cumin seeds 4 gm
Green chilli 5 gm
Refined oil 50 ml
Salt as required
Sugar as required
Method
Clean, wash and strain the chicken supreme. Wash basil, coriander and mint leaves and blend together with ginger, cumin, green chillis. Season with salt and sugar. Apply the prepared paste on the chicken, keep it for 30 minutes, check the seasoning. Grill the chicken on medium hot griller till done and serve hot, garnished with lettuce and tomato and cucumber slices.
CHEF HRUDANANDA BEHERA
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