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A delicious condiment bursting with the summery flavors of fresh basil and lemon. Use this Lemon Basil Oil for dipping crusty bread or drizzle it over tomatoes, salads, grilled chicken, shrimp, veggies...
"You need to figure out something to do with all this basil!", Scott exclaimed a few days ago when he came in from the garden. I've been making Sweet Basil Vinaigrette, Chimichurri Sauce and pesto, as well as adding the delicious leaves to salads, sandwiches and pizzas. But it seems the more I cut, the more prolifically the leaves reappear. What a wonderful problem to have! I began to brainstorm ways to utilize our bumper crop of basil. Grabbing my kitchen shears, I cut a huge bouquet to have at my fingertips in the kitchen. Sniffing the deliciously aromatic herb got my imagination rolling, and before long, an idea for Lemon Basil Oil was swirling through my mind.
It's funny, all fall, winter and spring, my wildest dream would be to have too much basil. It seems like there's never quite enough, and I savor each little sprig of the beloved herb that I purchase at my local market. Then suddenly, summer arrives in all it's green glory and I have an ever-evolving supply of beautiful, fresh basil that won't stop.
I use it with great abandon and it seems the more I cut it, the faster it grows. In fact these pictures were shortly after I gave it a pretty severe haircut!
If your basil's growing like a weed right now or you've got access to it from a neighbor or your local farmer's market, you'll want to take the time to make a batch of this delicious Lemon Basil Oil. It doesn't take long (about 30 minutes total) and you can freeze it in small containers to enjoy all year long when this beloved herb is scarce and expensive.
The technique is pretty simple. The basil is quickly (15 seconds) blanched, then rinsed with cold water to stop the cooking process. Why blanch it? The brief blanching not only kills the enzymes which cause the basil leaves to turn brown it actually enhances the green hue, making it more vibrant. And you won't believe how the volume of the basil is reduced, check it out!
Once the basil is blanched, it's important to remove as much water as possible. I just squeeze it in my hand right over the kitchen sink. To remove the last remaining liquid, I roll the little wad of basil in a paper towel and squeeze again. This is important because any water that remains will dilute the delicious flavor and cause separation in the finished oil.
After the basil is blanched and dried, into the blender it goes with lots of fresh lemon zest and a splash sunflower (or other neutral-flavored) oil. Give it a whirl till everything is well blended, then add olive oil and pour the whole works into a small saucepan. One minute over high heat (this seems to brighten and "set" the color) and you're done! Strain the green mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Voila! Beautiful Lemon Basil Oil!
What to do with Lemon Basil Oil?
- Use it as a dipping oil. Just warm up a loaf of crusty French bread and dip to your heart's content! Just pour some on a plate or into a little bowl. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and wait for the oohs and aahs.
- Drizzle it over grilled chicken, shrimp or veggies.
- Add fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar and salt and pepper and use as a salad dressing.
- Drizzle on soups for a pretty and delicious garnish.
- It's fantastic drizzled on fresh summer tomatoes and corn on the cob.
- For a delightful, quick appetizer, pour a pool of Lemon Basil Oil on a pretty serving plate. Add a log of goat cheese and top with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, tiny basil leaves and more Lemon Basil Oil. Serve with warm crostini.
- Serve with this wonderful Green Bean and Tomato Salad Caprese with Lemon Basil Oil. Recipe coming up on Wednesday!
Café Tips on making Lemon Basil Oil
- Once the basil is blanched, it will look like there's not much left (see picture above). Don't worry, there will be lots of delicious basil flavor in your finished oil.
- Be sure to use a fine-mesh strainer when straining your oil. You might need to do it in two batches if the mesh is really fine. Just strain half of the oil, then discard the green residue that's left in the strainer and repeat with the second half.
- If you don't have a fine-mesh strainer, just use a regular strainer lined with cheesecloth or a piece of 100% cotton fabric.
- Don't try to use 100% olive oil as it has a strong flavor and will overpower the basil.
- Wait to add the olive oil until after blending the basil and sunflower oil. Olive oil can take on a bitter taste when blended or processed. Cooks Illustrated explains this phenomenon better than I could: Testing Olive Oil's Bitter End.
- You can freeze the oil in small glass jars or storage containers. Just imagine the delightful taste of fresh basil in the middle of winter! Make sure to leave space (about ½ inch) for expansion in the freezer at the top of your containers.
- 2 cups fresh basil tightly packed
- finely grated zest from 3 medium lemons
- 1 cup sunflower oil or other neutral flavored oil
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
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Bring a medium size pot of water to a boil. Add basil leaves and cook for 30 seconds. Quickly drain basil and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
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Wring as much water as you can out of the basil by squeezing it in your hand, then wrap basil in several thickness of paper towels and squeeze again.
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Add basil, lemon zest and sunflower oil to a blender container and blend for 1 minute until mixture is finely pureed.
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Pour mixture into a small saucepan and add olive oil. Heat on medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, just until mixture begins to bubble slightly at the edges. Do not boil!
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Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer (the finer, the better) into a jar or storage container.
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Store in refrigerator for 1-2 weeks or freeze in small containers for 3-4 months.
Rainey says
Can Lemon Basil be used as a Room deodorizer??
Chris Scheuer says
It would be a lovely fragrance but I'm not sure how much it would do for the odor of your room.
Candice says
There is alot of lemon basil available for me to get right now. If I used lemon basil would I still use the the lemon zest or cut back on it? The lemon basil is in abundance while the sweet basil will be in a couple weeks. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Candice, lucky you! Lemon basil is amazing! You could just cut the lemon zest amount in half and it will be delicious!
Susanne Skinner says
So good!! Wish I could upload a photo - we love it!
Chris Scheuer says
That's awesome, so happy you're enjoying it. It's a wonderful way to capture the delicious flavor of basil in a bottle!
Sandra L Garth says
This is what I had in mind when I planted basil this year. Unfortunately, when I returned home from Dallas my plants were shriveled and dry. Hopefully, the farmers market will have a better selection than last week. This vibrant bottle of oil is meant for dipping bread and I will have no problem dipping more than my fair share!
Ann says
Can lemony basil olive oil be used as marinade for grilled veggies
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, it would be wonderful for that!
Sandi says
I just made this and it is so delicious. I am taking it, along with your blueberry coffee cake for a weekend with friends...Chris keep up the super wonderful recipes.....
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Sandi! Have a wonderful time 🙂
Liz says
Oh, my gosh, do you have a boat load of basil! I wish I lived on your block and I'd be over with my kitchen scissors, a basket and a smile---hoping to get enough for some pesto! Love this basil oil---perfect bread dipper!
Jenna says
I made your basil oil several years ago Chris and loved it but this version with lemon sounds even better! Basil is one thing I can grow! I love the idea of freezing it too, I need to get busy~
Mary C says
Chris I love all of your recipes and enjoy each one that I receive. Tell me , how do you grow such beautiful Basil? Mine look just pitiful.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Mary. I'm not the one with the green thumb, Scott is the gardener. I know he watches it carefully for signs of disease and pests. But he's actually going to share a whole post some of the tricks and tips on growing basil. It will be coming up soon, so be on the lookout 🙂
Susan says
I just harvested a bunch of basil! This sounds so delicious and looks gorgeous. I can foresee using this in many delicious ways.
Susan says
When do you add the lemon?
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Susan, fixed that!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Wow ~ color me bright green with jealousy over all that incredible basil ~ great idea and gorgeous post Chris!
Michele @ Bacon Fatte says
Your Lemon Basil Oil sounds lovely, Chris. Great tips for keeping that bright green basil color that we all love so much, too... Thanks! Pinned and very much looking forward to making it!
Ginny Hartzler says
Your basil is glossy, abundant, and gorgeous! I have two big pots of it inside. I had no idea you can freeze it! And this recipe is so versatile.
Monique says
I don't want to double my comment..just left one..Love this!
Monique says
Love the color Chris and both Jacques and I just love basil:)Scott's frames are beauteous!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Monique!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Oh my - and just when I gave up eating bread for a while. We love a good dipping oil so I'll take your suggestion and try it on chicken and vegetables and everything else I can find. I'm covered up with basil this year too - and your plants are gorgeous!
Chris Scheuer says
I would never tempt you Tricia 🙂 but it is wonderful on chicken, shrimp, veggies, etc.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Wow your basil plants are looking so healthy and good! The basil oil must smell and taste heavenly.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Angie, the basil is definitely going crazy!