5 Ways to Use Thai Basil

Each year, I plant herbs in planters near my patio. I have noticed that having my herbs closer to the house ensures that I harvest & use them on a regular basis. This year I chose to plant Thai Basil as opposed to planting my usual sweet basil. I had read that Thai basil stands up to cooking a little better than sweet basil, making it a good choice for soups, stir-fries, and curries. It can also be eaten raw sprinkled over salads or cold noodles dishes, and used interchangeably with sweet basil in most recipes.

So, with this "new to me" herb, I did a little research on how to use Thai Basil.  

Here are 5 Uses for Thai Basil:

ONE: Thai Basil Daiquiri

Ingredients:

• 10 large Thai basil leaves
• 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup 
• 2 ounces juice from about 4 limes
• 4 ounces white rum
• Pinch salt

How to Make:

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour blended mixture into shaker, shake until very cold. Strain through fine-mesh strainer into 2 cocktail glasses.

Chicken & Spinach Grilled Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or handmade)
• White pizza sauce
• 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 Medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 package fresh spinach
• 6-8 thin chicken cutlets, cut into 1" chunks
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt or poultry seasoning
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella or Italian cheese

Instructions

1. Get your grill ready  {If a grill is not available, preheat oven to 400 degrees}
2. Shape dough into circles
3. Spread white pizza sauce over dough. Classico makes a very good white pizza sauce.
4. Heat an additional tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan and saute minced garlic, onion and red pepper flakes for about a minute.
5. Add spinach and stir. Saute together for another 3-4 minutes until spinach starts to wilt.

       6.  Remove spinach garlic mixture from pan and set aside in a mixing bowl.
       7.  Heat additional 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same pan, add seasonings and saute the chicken for approximately 8 minutes until golden brown. Remove pan from heat.
       8.  Top pizza crust with spinach, onion, & garlic mixture, and sauteed chicken
       9.  Top with shredded mozzarella/Italian cheese and place pizza pan in oven.
     10. Grill or bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese starts to get bubbly and golden brown.

   XOXO

Randi

Kid Friendly Kickin' Chicken Made Healthy

Chicken drumsticks are coated with a slightly sweet barbecue sauce. It's a great summer flavor.

Makes: 8 servings     Prep: 20 Minutes       Bake: 45 Minutes          Oven: 375^{o  F}  

^Ingredients:

•  Non-stick cooking spray
• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2  cloves garlic minced or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2  teaspoon cooking oil
• 3/4 C bottled barbecue sauce
• 1/4 C ketchup
• 1/4 C orange juice or water
• 2 T packed brown sugar
• 2 T light molasses
•   Several dashes of bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

^{1. Lightly coat a baking pan with cooking spray. Skin chicken. Arrange chicken in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake in a}  375 ^{o  F}   oven for 25 minutes.

2. For sauce, in a medium saucepan cook garlic in hot oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, orange juice, brown sugar, molasses and if desired, hot sauce; heat through.

^{3. Brush chicken with sauce. Turn chicken and brush with additional sauce. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or until chicken is no longer pink (} 180^{o F).}

Campbell's Kitchen Ranchero Enchilada

Here is a quick recipe that tastes awesome! The kids loved it and I loved how fast & easy is was to prepare.

Prep time: 10 Minutes
Bake Time: 25 Minutes


Campbell's Kitchen Ranchero Enchilada


Please check it out!