Forum Thermomix

Thermomix Recipes for TM5 and TM31 => Spice Mixes => Topic started by: judydawn on March 24, 2011, 08:54:11 am

Title: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on March 24, 2011, 08:54:11 am
I tried 2 different ways today.

1st method - Freeze fresh, unwashed leaves in small zip-lock bags (2 or 3 flat layers).  Squeeze the air out and freeze immediately

2nd method - Basil & Olive Oil puree.
Remove leaves from the plant, wash and shake in a sieve then dry with paper towels.
Place 3 large handfuls into the TM bowl with 2 - 3 tblspns olive oil.
Press turbo button twice, scrape down sides and repeat.
Place roughly 100g into small ziplock bags, express the air and seal.
Will last 12 months.
You can snap off the amount required.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on March 24, 2011, 09:14:02 am
More photos.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on March 24, 2011, 09:16:23 am
And another.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: fundj&e on March 24, 2011, 09:40:21 am
JD  i do the same plus i make pesto.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on March 24, 2011, 09:46:17 am
Why is it that the herbs you hardly use go berserk and the ones you want more of are a little slow  ??? ???
I also made a huge batch of pesto last week fundj and gave it to my DD.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: fundj&e on March 24, 2011, 10:00:21 am
I know what you mean I can never grow enough parsley 
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: Nay-nay on March 24, 2011, 11:04:58 am
Oh man!! & I grow too much parsley & mint and no way near enough basil!!  :-))
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: hools003 on March 24, 2011, 01:13:48 pm
We have loads of mint, basil and oregano but the coriander died!!! Grrr. Apparently it's best grown from seed cos it doesn't like to be transplanted. We are going to try and plant in pots, every 3 weeks!
We are a bit light on the parsley too.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: cookie1 on March 27, 2011, 08:14:07 am
No matter what we do our basil goes mad. I just can't keep up with it.The more I trim the flowers off the more it grows. My oregano and thyme are lovely ground covers under the roses. I manage to keep the parsley under control. I think I will plant some coriander, I don't like it but it really adds to several recipes.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: Shayla on March 27, 2011, 09:21:56 am
Has anyone tried freezing the pesto? Someone gave me a huge bag of basil and it made about 2kg of pesto - now I don't know what to do with it all - I did give 1 kg back to the person who gave me the basil but still three large jars and it is very expensive to make and I don't want it wasted.
Shayla
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: fundj&e on March 27, 2011, 10:39:36 am
I Freeze mine flat in a zip lock bag, just snap off what you need. I still have last years in the freezer.

ciao
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: Shayla on March 27, 2011, 01:46:20 pm
Thank you - sounds wonderful - I will freeze it that way and look forward to using it and not wasting it.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: cookie1 on March 28, 2011, 07:34:14 am
I freeze mine in ice cube trays and then pop them out into plastic bags.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: earth mumma on March 28, 2011, 10:28:10 am
Thanks JD for this thread.  I have been looking at my basil and thinking I really need to do something with it before it goes completely to seed or the first frost gets it.  Now I'll make some pesto to freeze and also freeze a little freah to add to pasta sauces and for pizza toppings.
 
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: Twitterpated on March 28, 2011, 11:35:32 am
My purple basil plant fell over today from too much rain. Won't be able to save it so I am pleased to see JD's comments about freezing in a ziplock back. Thanks for all the great ideas JD.  ;)
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: faffa_70 on March 31, 2011, 03:20:32 am
rain??!! What is that!  :P :P My herbs are surviving but I am having to give them a lot more TLC than usual after all this hot weather we are having in Perth  :-))
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: cookie1 on March 31, 2011, 05:11:39 am
My purple basil is ready to fall over too, but certainly not from too much rain, it just won't stop growing. Perhaps I could stop watering it.

rain??!! What is that!  :P :P My herbs are surviving but I am having to give them a lot more TLC than usual after all this hot weather we are having in Perth  :-))

When we were in Singapore we walked in the rain. It was beautiful. The locals thought we were crazy. :D
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: shanberry on November 12, 2011, 07:57:43 am
I knew that I would find an answer on here!! Have a huge ammount of basil growing and dont want to waste it! Thanks Judy Dawn - will try your method tommorow!
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on November 12, 2011, 08:47:31 am
It certainly works well shanberry and nice to always have it on tap.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: nazar on November 12, 2011, 09:28:17 pm
l dry my basil ,parsley ,rosemary, thyme, oregano
in the micowave and store it in jars in my cupboard

l use an old plate, kitchen towel single layer of herbs  use the leaves only
sandwich the herbs with the kitchen towel
high for 3 minutes   test for crispness then do 1 min at a time

 if you use the same plate more than three  times  be careful as the kitchen towel might catch fire
l have done it this way many many times and it caught fire a little  only twice  l just put a damp fabric teatowel over it
l find the herbs keep there colour  quite well and last a long time in pantry providing l don't use them
l hope this makes sense to you
   
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: trudy on March 02, 2012, 01:48:09 am
Thanks Judy.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: keiramax on March 18, 2012, 03:01:10 am
Thanks Judy.  Have just started to pick all my basil as I don't want the frost to hit first and turn it black.  I made a big batch of pesto and popped it into the freezer, but I've got heaps more to go.

Will be trying the method with oil and put into the freezer.

Must admit the house is smelling amazing.

Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: cookie1 on January 03, 2015, 08:40:11 am
Judy which way of freezing did you find the best. With the EVOO or without please?
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: judydawn on January 03, 2015, 10:51:39 am
I think I prefer the oil version cookie.
Title: Re: Freezing excess basil
Post by: cookie1 on January 03, 2015, 11:37:42 am
Thanks. I will pick a heap more and freeze it with the EVOO.