How to Freeze Fresh Basil in Olive Oil - Pureed Basil Method
My favorite method for freezing basil - in olive oil.
Materials
- basil
- olive oil
Instructions
- Clean the basil, removing stems and blanch it in a large pot of boiling water for 10 seconds. Shock in an ice bath (a bowl filled with cold water and ice cubes) until cold.
- Drain and dry well either in a salad spinner or with a towel.
- Add the clean, dry basil leaves to the food processor. Pulse and add just enough olive oil to create a smooth paste. For a more fluid paste, add a bit more oil.
- Spoon the prepared basil olive oil mixture into ice cube trays.
- Transfer to the freezer and allow the basil olive oil cubes to freeze completely.
- Once frozen, remove the basil olive oil cubes from the ice cube tray and transfer to a freezer ziplock bag.
- Label and store the basil cubes in the freezer for up to six months.