Basil or else known as a culinary herb , ‘Ocimum basilicum’ is related to mints and it has many benefits for you. It can heal your skin problems, soothe your stomach and reduce joint pain.
In case you don’t know much about basil it will be useful for you to make yourself familiar with the following basil facts:
- Anti Bacterial Properties
Basil contains volatile oils like limonene, myrcene, sabinene, eugenol, linalool and due to this property it is considered to have antibacterial effect. The oils make basil capable of inhibiting some pathogenic bacteria which is even resistant to some antibiotic drugs.
- AntiInflammatory
Another component of basil is eugenol which is considered to block the enzyme enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in t body. This enzyme is the one used in the pharmacy for preparation of anti-inflammatory medicines including the ones most commonly used: aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Cardiovascular Health
Basil is also good for cardiovascular health. It offers protection to the cell walls from free radicals, stops cholesterol oxidizing in blood stream and improves the circulation. This property of basil is due to Vitamin A, magnesium and the other nutrients that it contains.
- DNA Protection
Basil or particularly basil leaves contain a form of phytonutrients antioxidants like are vicenin orientin that protect cell structures and chromosomes from oxygenbased damage and radiation.
In the following text we offer you a compilation of basil that will improve your overall health:
- Basil and Cherry Tomato Salad
Ingredients needed:
- 1 cup basil leaves, packed
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup kalamata olives
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cups of cherry tomatoes
- Sea salt to taste
Method of preparation:
- Chop the tomatoes on equal pieces and put them in a mixing bowl
- Season the tomatoes with olive oil and some salt depending of your taste
- Sprinkle the basil over the tomatoes
- Add the chopped olives and walnut pieces to the bowel and mix well all together.
This makes 8 servings
- Spicy Basil Salad
½ tsp freshly ground black paper
¼ tsp salt
12 oz top sirloin steak
Dressing:
Ingredients needed:
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp sambal oelek
- 2 tbsp minced fresh lemongrass
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1/8 tsp sugar
Salad
Ingredients needed:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (Thai, Italian and lemon basil)
Method of preparation:
Take a nonstick pan, put it on the stove and heat it on medium high heat. In meantime season the steaks with black paper and salt. Once the pan is heated put the steaks in it and cook them until you get the desired tenderness. In order to cook the steaks evenly we advise you to turn them every few minutes. When the steaks are cooked, place them in a plate and leave them from 8 to 10 minutes to cool down before you slice them. Mix all the ingredients to serve as dressing and combine the Salad’s ingredients in a salad bowl. Make sure that you toss gently while drizzling 3/4 of the Dressing mixture onto the salad. Divide the salad in 4 plates since this amount is for 4 servings and top each plate with sliced steaks. In the end drizzle the leftover dressing on the steaks.
ExtraTips:
- If you want you can reduce the fresh basil leaves to ½ cup and add 1 cup of mixed spring green.
- You can find Sambal oelek in Asian grocery stores.
- If you don’t like the top sirloin steak you can substitute it with your choice of steak.
- Basil Chive Cucumber and Corn Salad
Ingredients needed:
- ½ cup basil, chopped
- 2 cups cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 1 large cucumber)
- 2 tbsp light mayonnaise
- 3 cups cooked cut corn (from about 5 medium cobs)
- ¼ cup chives, snipped
- Salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
Method of preparation:
The preparation of this salad is more than simple. Take a mixing bowl and mix the cucumber, corn, basils and chives in it. Stir in the mayonnaise. In the end add slat and pepper to it up to you taste.
Serve it immediately after the preparation or put in a cover container in the fridge until serving time.
- Strawberry-Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients needed:
- ½ tsp salt
- 8 cups torn romaine lettuce
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup torn fresh basil
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (1 pound)
- ½ cup Vidalia (vertically sliced ) or other sweet onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Method of preparation:
Take a large bowl and mix in it the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, black pepper and salt. Stir them with whisk and add sliced onion, sliced strawberries, torn basil and romaine lettuce. In the end toss gently to coat and serve it immediately.
- Lemon Basil Chicken Salad – Gluten Free
Ingredients needed:
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, torn
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh basil
- ½ red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 cooked chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 pepper, diced (I used ½ a red one & ½ an orange one)
- Sea salt & fresh pepper, to taste
Method of preparation:
Mix brown rice, lettuce, peppers, basil, chicken, onion and garlic in a bowl and stir them well. After that, take a small jar and shake together the lemon juice, pepper sea salt and the olive oil. Pour the brown rice mixture and stir well again to mix the all ingredients. Serve the salad immediately or cover it and keep it in the fridge.
