Basil grows really well here in Brisbane and I sometimes find myself with arms full of this lovely herb. But – once you have made enough Pesto – what do you do with the surplus?
To this end I have been trolling the web to find hints of how to successfully preserve this herb and found this little gem. Anything you need to know about Basil. Did you know you could freeze it? – check out this link …
http://www.basilbasics.com/freezing-basil.html I quote; “Everything you need to know about this heavenly herb”
And because I cannot resist adding a photo here is the little plant I keep in the kitchen. I grow the main crop in my allotment, but I love to have a pot sitting on the kitchen bench to pick a few leaves to add to my tomato sandwich, or top my pasta if I’m feeling “Italian” for dinner.
Allotment Adventures with Jean 
Jun 02, 2012 @ 15:07:37
Got to say that along with fennel, black jelly beans and aniseed rings, basil is not one of my favourite herbs. I love pesto (hidden under the parmesan and pine nuts) but its lucky I am not a fan as the season for basil in Tasmania is remarkably small!
Jun 03, 2012 @ 07:34:20
I imagine you would be much more successful with the wonderful veggies that grow in the cooler climate. I have been following Matthew Evans “Gourmet Gardener” on SBS TV. I have found that a really interesting program set in Tassie. Best wishes from Jean
Jun 03, 2012 @ 14:29:44
I do love his ethos but he is a bit too commercial for me (everything is about profit). I won a boxed set of his DVD’s and gave it to the library because I felt a bit empty after watching them. Love his recipes though :). A friend up the road has some Shiso seeds for me and I will give them a go this year. Just getting into herbs 🙂
Jun 05, 2012 @ 18:04:56
My kitchen basil plant isn’t really going well, and is not regrowing the leaves I pick! It was doing very well until about 2 months ago. Maybe my Brisbane flat is too cold 🙂
Just came across your blog through Lightly Crunchy comments. I’m looking forward to following your growing adventures!
Jun 06, 2012 @ 08:26:02
Thank you for visiting. Lovely to hear from another Brisbane resident. Not sure why your Basil isn’t thriving. I do get the morning sun on the balcony which I think helps with my herbs.
I have enjoyed checking out your blog and was interested to see you are doing the $21 challenge.I’ll be following your progress. I have been a “Simple Savings” member for ages.
Jun 06, 2012 @ 15:56:44
Thank you so much 🙂
I think I am going to have to move the basil and the plants I’m about to try to grow around each day to get some sun.
I was a member of SS for 3 years but I started seeing the same things and not much applies to a solo girl. No assets, no mortgage, no kids! I still get the newsletters though 🙂
I was excited to see a Brisbane blog when I clicked on yours!
Jun 07, 2012 @ 05:52:49
I felt the same when I found your Brisbane blog. There must be more of us out there but I haven’t found them.
Jun 08, 2012 @ 00:46:44
You should dry some of it Jean…it’s dead easy to do in the oven and you’ll look forward to using it on pizzas and in pasta once the fresh basil isn’t available 🙂
Jun 08, 2012 @ 07:06:25
Thank you for the comment Tanya, and for the tip on drying the herb. I’m going to give that one a go.