How to use basil in recipes other than pesto
Basil is a such a fragrant herb that adds incredible flavor to everything from appetizers to dinner ideas.
Recipe Ideas for using Basil that are not Pesto
- Margarita Pizza
- Prosciutto Pizza
- Garlic pasta with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil
- Prosciutto appetizer with apples
- Bruschetta
Basil is such a great addition to pizza! Even if you’re not making a margarita pizza, adding basil to your favorite pizza will give it a delicious favoring!
Any easy way to spice up your favorite pasta dish is to add basil. Try making this garlic pasta dish topped with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. The flavor of the basil really comes out in it!
There are a ton of appetizer recipes to try with fresh basil.
Here are 2 of my favorite basil appetizer recipes.
Prosciutto Appetizer with Apples
Flavor packed appetizer served on a sliced baguette
Yield: 10 people
Materials
- 100 grams prosciutto separated into long 6 cm pieces x 1 cm width
- 2 tbsp fig jam
- 10 leaves basil fresh
- 1/2 apple thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp balsamic reduction
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 baguette sliced
Instructions
- Slice baguette into rounds that are ~1 cm thick
- Brush baguette slices with olive oil
- Toast baguette slices for 2 min on broil high in the oven
- Remove baguette slices from the oven and set on a serving plate
- Using a knife, apply a bit of fig jam to each of the baguette slices
- Place 1 basil leaf on top of each of the baguette slices
- Cut the apple in half. Cut the halves in half. Remove the seeds/center bits. Slice the apple thinly so they fit nicely on the baguette slices.
- Place the prosciutto on top of the apple slices
- Top with a bit of balsamic reduction
Notes
Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Recipe
How to make roasted tomato bruschetta with fresh basil, restaurant style
Yield: 2 people
Materials
- 1 pkg cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1/8 tsp salt
- Pinch pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil cut into strips
- 1/2 baguette sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil for brushing bread
- 1 garlic clove cut in half
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Place cherry tomatoes into a small bowl and drizzle olive oil on top. Add salt and pepper. Mix gently with a spoon until all the tomatoes are covered in oil.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place tomatoes evenly dispersed on the pan.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 min.
- While the tomatoes are baking, slice half of the baguette. Brush each piece of baguette with olive oil on one side.
- Once the tomatoes are finished baking, preheat the oven to broil on high.
- Broil the bread for 1-2 min, watch carefully. Only toast them until your desired doneness.
- Place the tomatoes into a small bowl and add fresh cut basil. Mix them together with a spoon.
- After the bread has finished toasting, rub each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic. This gives it just a hint of garlic flavor, without being overpowering.
- Add tomato mixture onto the bread pieces.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
