Basil: Grow and Dehydrate

Growing basil in the garden to use fresh and then dehydrating to preserve it quite simple to do. Basil growing next to your tomatoes is said to make them sweeter in taste and repel evil bugs. I am not sure if that is an old wives tale or if it is true, however, my husband enjoys doing this and I enjoy using it.

Using basil and tomatoes together is even better when you create Tomato Basil Soup using fresh garden vegetables.

Varieties of Basil:

It is important to know there are several varieties of basil with different tastes and flavors. Different varieties and types of basil also have different growing times; ranging from 50-80 days. Before deciding what basil to grow, do your homework; do you want it for teas, garnish, Thai/Asian recipes, pesto, salads or tomato sauce or soup?
Although basil is aromatic or fragrant, not all basil taste or look the same. There are green and crimson/purple and then there is green. Some have long pointed leaves, others rounded leaves in varying lengths.

Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Nutrients in basil:

·       Vitamin K

·       Iron

·       Calcium

·       Vitamin A

·       Fiber

·       Manganese

·       Tryptophan

·       Vitamin

·       Magnesium

·       Vitamin C

·       Potassium

·       Calories-0

Web MD cautions people taking a blood thinner; such as Warfarin, to consult your doctor as you can get too much or too little of vitamin K. Vitamin K is not only high in basil but also in green leafy vegetables and spinach.

Dehydrating Basil Using the Oven Method:

1.     Since different of varieties of basil bolt or flower at different times; harvesting the basil before the flowering is suggested, however, not set in stone. If yours has flowered, that is quite all right. In the mid morning or before the heat of the day, harvest the basil.

2.     Shake the basil plants after cutting to shake loose any bad leaves, the dirt and any bugs.

3.     Turn on the oven, heating no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit while thoroughly washing the basil and sorting out any bad leaves.

4.     Using a cookie sheet lined with paper towel, place washed basil leaves on the first layer of paper towel. Place more paper towel over the basil and press down to remove any excess moisture. You can go as many as five layers deep.

Place the basil in the preheated oven and then turn the oven off. A couple of times during the day, to keep the basil drying, turn the oven back on to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Let set in the oven with the door closed over night, check to make sure the basil is drying and not molding. In a day or two, you will have dehydrated basil.

Line Dry Method:

If you do not want to use the oven method, after the first year, I discovered I prefer to simply cut, shake, rinse and hang the bundles upside down to dry naturally. I cut it a little at a time, make small bundles and hang in my kitchen, over  my sink and in front of the window.

Conclusion:
With all those vitamins and zero calories, why would you choose not to grow, dehydrate and use the herb like Basil?

Tomato Basil Soup from Garden Fresh Vegetables

Tomatoes and Basil are both high in vitamin K however, for me that isn’t the best part of eating the two. When you combine garden fresh tomatoes and basil, they make a fantastic soup that you will enjoy in the summer months as well as in the winter. Plan on making a large batch of soup and either freezing or canning it.

According to Dr Andrew Weil, “Vitamin K is an essential nutrient necessary for blood clotting - it regulates normal blood clotting by helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K may also be helpful for bone health: it may reduce bone loss, and decrease risk of bone fractures. It also may prevent calcification of arteries and other soft tissue.”

And The World’s Healthiest Foods add, “The eugenol component of basil's volatile oils has been the subject of extensive study, since this substance can block the activity of an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase (COX). Many non-steriodal over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), including aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as the commonly used medicine acetaminophen, work by inhibiting this same enzyme. (In the case of acetaminophen, this effect is somewhat controversial, and probably occurs to a much lesser degree than is the case with aspirin and ibuprofen). This enzyme-inhibiting effect of the eugenol in basil qualifies basil as an "anti-inflammatory" food that can provide important healing benefits along with symptomatic relief for individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel conditions.”

Do not reach for the aspirin or ibuprofen bottle simply eat more tomatoes and basil.

Ingredients needed for Tomato Basil Soup:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Cups diced onions
• 6 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
• 6 Cups red or yellow tomatoes roughly chopped
• 4-14 ounce cans vegetable broth
• 1- 8 oz can tomato paste
• 6 Tbsp chopped basil
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Juice of half a lemon, approx ¼ cup
• Saucepan
• Blender
  

Instructions to make Tomato Basil Soup:

1. Head out to the garden and gather the tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil. The fresher the vegetables the better the soup will taste. Wash and dry the vegetables. Chop the onions and garlic.
2. Take a saucepan, heat the oil for a minute or two.  Sauté the onions and garlic until soft, but not brown. While the onions are sautéing, chop the tomatoes and basil.
3. Add to the onions, the tomatoes, vegetable broth and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove from the saucepan from the heat; add the basil and lemon juice. Put it all in a blender; a little at time, mix until smooth.
5. Add salt and pepper, serve up and enjoy.

Tip:

If you don’t have a blender or like a chunkier tomato basil soup, skip the last step.

Tomato Basil Soup

Tomatoes and Basil are both high in vitamin K however, for me that isn’t the best part of eating the two. When you combine garden fresh tomatoes and basil, they make a fantastic soup that you will enjoy in the summer months as well as in the winter. Plan on making a large batch of soup and either freezing or canning it.

According to Dr Andrew Weil, “Vitamin K​ is an essential nutrient necessary for blood clotting - it regulates normal blood clotting by helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K may also be helpful for bone health: it may reduce bone loss, and decrease risk of bone fractures. It also may prevent calcification of arteries and other soft tissue.”

Recipe for tomato basil soup