Big on basil
Besides being one of our most fragrant summer herbs, basil has become as common as chives in herbal gardens across the country. Here, we've used fresh basil abundantly in fast flavourful dishes that will fill your kitchen with spicy aroma.
First published in Chatelaine's September 1999 issue.
©Rogers Media Publishing Inc.
Spicy basil-shrimp stir-fry
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
2 tsp (10 mL) sesame oil, preferably dark
2 tbsp (30 mL) grated fresh ginger
2 large minced garlic cloves
1/2 to 1 tsp (2 to 5 mL) hot red chili flakes
1 lb (500 g) fresh or frozen, cooked or raw peeled shrimp
2 sweet peppers, preferably 1 red and 1 yellow, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded fresh basil
Heat oils in a wide frying pan set over low heat. Add ginger, garlic and chili flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 min. Add shrimp (if using frozen shrimp, rinse with cold water to remove ice crystals) and peppers. Turn heat to high and stir-fry until shrimp are hot and pink, from 3 to 4 min. Stir in basil. Taste and add salt, if needed. Serve on a bed of greens as an appetizer or with rice, pasta or couscous as a main course. Makes 4 appetizer servings or 2 entrées
Nutrients per serving
24.6 g protein, 7.1 g fat, 5.6 g carbohydrates, 3.8 mg iron, 62 mg calcium, 256 mg sodium, 1.4 g fibre, 187 calories.
* Excellent source of iron and vitamins A and C
Caesar-basil chicken
2 tsp (10 mL) olive oil
2 to 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup (50 mL) creamy caesar dressing
1/4 tsp (1 mL) Tabasco or other hot sauce
1/4 cup (50 mL) coarsely chopped fresh basil
Pinches of salt and black pepper
Heat oil in a wide frying pan set over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken. Cook until lightly browned, turning once, from 3 to 4 min. per side. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomatoes, dressing and Tabasco. Stir, then cover and simmer, turning chicken once, until chicken is springy and juices run clear, from 10 to 12 min. Stir in basil, salt and pepper to taste. Wonderful with couscous or mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Serves 2
Nutrients per serving
34.7 g protein, 22.1 g fat, 8.5 g carbohydrates, 1.4 mg iron, 47 mg calcium, 386 mg sodium, 2.3 g fibre, 371 calories.
*Good source of zinc and vitamins A and C
Herb how-tos
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