Best 20 Basil Oil Recipes

BASIL OIL (AND OTHER HERB FLAVORED OILS)

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the herbs and oil until completely smooth. Put the mixture in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over moderate heat. Simmer for 45 seconds, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Don't press on the mixture, but you can tap the strainer against your hand to get the oil to drip through faster. Immediately strain the oil again through a flat-bottomed paper filter. If the filter clogs, you may need to change the filter partway through.
• It's okay to pick the filter up and squeeze it gently to get the oil out faster, but be careful not to break the filter. Sometimes a little dark liquid comes through the filter first. Don't worry; that's water. It will settle to the bottom because it is heavier than the oil. Let the filtered oil settle for a few hours, then pour it off the dark liquid. Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.

SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATOES AND GARLIC-BASIL OIL

Steps:

• In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook spaghetti as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat oil, garlic, basil and pepper flakes over low heat 10 minutes to infuse flavor into the oil. Strain oil; keep oil warm. Discard garlic, basil and pepper flakes.
• Drain cooked spaghetti. Return spaghetti to Dutch oven; place over medium heat. Add tomatoes; toss until thoroughly heated. Season to taste with salt.
• Divide spaghetti into 2 individual pasta bowls. Drizzle each serving with warm oil; sprinkle with cheese.

PASTA SALAD WITH SUMMER TOMATOES, BASIL AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, capers, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, red-pepper flakes, the whole basil sprig and anchovies if using. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup oil. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. The tomatoes should be aggressively seasoned. Let tomatoes marinate for at least 1 hour and preferably 2 to 3.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just al dente, usually a minute less than the package instructions. Drain well. Add to bowl with tomatoes while still warm and toss well. Let pasta cool, soaking up the dressing. Let pasta sit at room temperature for at least another hour and up to 6 hours before serving. Or chill for up to 24 hours; bring to room temperature before serving.
• Just before serving, gently fold in torn basil leaves. Top with more olive oil and cracked black pepper before serving.

WATERMELON AND TOMATO SALAD WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Make the basil oil: Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Blanch basil for 1 minute. Transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain.
• Puree basil in a blender with olive oil until smooth. Strain mixture through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve set over a bowl. Let stand until oil drips through, about 1 hour (do not squeeze cheesecloth).
• Make the salad: Toss together watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bowl. Transfer to a serving platter, and sprinkle with goat cheese. Drizzle with basil oil and more olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil.

ROASTED RED PEPPER-TOMATO PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE, BASIL AND RED CHILI OIL

Steps:

• Whisk together the yeast and 1/4 cup of the water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to proof. Place 1 3/4 cups of the flour in a large bowl with the salt. Add the yeast mixture, the remaining water, and oil and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Grease a large bowl with the remaining oil, add the dough and turn to coat. Cover and place in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the grill to high. Once the dough has risen, divide it in half, and divide each half into 2 balls. Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle. Brush with oil and grill on both sides until golden brown.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of the sauce on each pizza and top with goat cheese and basil. Place pizza on the grill and cook until bottom crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from heat, drizzle with red chili oil, and serve.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add red peppers and tomatoes and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Puree in a food processor until smooth. Let cool slightly.
• In a blender, combine oil, red chili flakes, and salt; blend for 1 minute. Strain into a small bowl or squeeze bottle.

SLOW-ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the tomatoes in a baking dish large enough to fit them in a single layer. Add the salt and sugar, and toss together. Add the regular olive oil, and toss again. Place in the oven for 45 minutes until the skins have shriveled and just split; the tomatoes should still be still intact. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, and salt generously. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Place the basil in the boiling water, and blanch for 15 seconds. Remove with a skimmer, and transfer to the ice water. Drain and squeeze out excess water, then place on a clean dish towel and again squeeze out as much water as you can. Place in a blender with the olive oil. Blend one to two minutes until the olive oil is green and tinged with flecks of basil. Transfer to a squeeze bottle, and refrigerate.
• Arrange the tomatoes on a platter. Drizzle the bright green basil oil decoratively around and over them, and pour on any juices from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SAUTEED RED SNAPPER WITH BASIL OIL AND SUNDRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Season the snapper fillets with salt and pepper. Preheat a saute pan with the olive oil until the oil is hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the snapper to the hot pan, flesh side down, and cook over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes. Turn to cook the skin side an additional 3 to 4 minutes. The fillets will curl inwards briefly, but once they have cooked for a minute, they will begin to relax and lay flat again, allowing you to cook the skin side to a crispy texture.
• Lift out the snapper with a slotted spatula, leaving the juices and oil in the pan. Add the sundried tomatoes, garlic, and shallots, and saute together for 2 minutes. Add the fresh herbs to the pan. Stir quickly, just to heat the herbs enough to release their aromas. Pour the sundried tomato and herb mixture over the snapper. Then drizzle a teaspoon of basil oil over each fillet and around the dish.

CANTALOUPE AND PROSCIUTTO WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• On a baking sheet toast pine nuts until golden, about 5 minutes, and cool. In a blender purée basil with oil until basil is minced. Pour purée through a very fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids, and discard solids.
• Halve and seed cantaloupe. Cut melon into 1/4-inch-thick wedges and discard rind.
• Spoon basil oil onto 4 plates. Arrange melon decoratively over oil and top with prosciutto. Sprinkle melon and prosciutto with pine nuts and cheese.

SUNNY'S EASY BASIL AND GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• To steep the oil: In a small pot on the lowest heat setting, add the oil, basil and garlic. Cook on low for 20 minutes.
• Strain the oil using a fine-mesh sieve and cool to room temperature. Add the fresh basil leaves to finish. Store in the fridge and keep for 1 week.

BASIL OIL

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of simmering water, blanch the basil leaves for 2 minutes, then drain and squeeze out as much water as possible. In a blender, combine the basil with 1/2 cup of the olive oil and blend for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary, until very smooth. Add the remaining oil, blend just to mix and pour into a large jar. Cover tightly and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Strain the oil through a double-thickness of slightly dampened cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Cover tightly and use as directed in th recipe or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

GRILLED SHRIMP WITH OIL AND BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine garlic, shallots, mustard, wine, lemon juice, olive oil and basil in a bowl. Stir to blend. Add shrimp and stir to coat. Let stand until ready to cook.
• When ready to cook, preheat an outdoor or indoor grill to high, or preheat a broiler to high.
• Remove shrimp from marinade and pour marinade into a small saucepan. Arrange shrimp 6 to a skewer, pushing the skewer through the tail section, then the head section, so shrimp will lie flat on grill or under broiler (see note). Arrange them barely touching and without crowding.
• Place skewers on grill or on rack under broiler, about 6 inches from source of heat, and cook about 3 minutes or until shrimp can be lifted from grill or rack without sticking. Turn skewers and cook about 2 minutes longer.
• Meanwhile, bring marinade to a boil and simmer about 2 minutes.
• Remove shrimp from skewers and arrange them symmetrically on 4 plates. Spoon the sauce over the shrimp and serve.

BASIL-MINT OIL

Steps:

• Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a saucepan of boiling water blanch herbs 5 seconds and with a slotted spoon immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Drain herbs well and pat dry. In a blender purée herbs with remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour oil through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids, and discard solids. Oil may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring oil to room temperature before using.

TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bruschetta Preparation: Place diced tomatoes on a VIVA® towel and salt. Let sit for 20 minutes. Remove to a bowl and mix together with mozzarella and vinegar. Season with salt to taste. Let stand at room temperature while toasting the bread. Place bread slices on a sheet tray in a single layer and bake until edges are golden, turning bread halfway through. Rub one side of toasted bread with raw garlic. To assemble, place a mound of tomato mixture onto slices and drizzle with basil oil. Serve immediately. Basil Oil Preparation: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Drop the basil leaves into the boiling water and submerge them for 5 seconds. Remove them to the ice bath using a spider or slotted spoon. Work quickly. You don't want the basil leaves in the boiling water for too long. Blanching the leaves and then shocking them in ice water will preserve the bright green color. Remove the basil from the water and squeeze dry using VIVA® towels. You want the basil as dry as possible. Remove basil to a blender with the oil. Puree until the mixture is well combined. Place a strainer inside a bowl. Dampen a VIVA® towel with water and line the towel inside the strainer. Pour the basil oil into the strainer. It takes awhile for the oil to strain through. You may need to squeeze it gently to help along the oil. Pour strained basil oil into the neck of a small cruet or a small sterilized jar. Cover the jar or cruet tightly and refrigerate. Use within four days.

ROASTED RED PEPPER-TOMATO PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE, BASIL AND RED CHILI OIL

Steps:

• Whisk together the yeast and 1/4 cup of the water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to proof. Place 1 3/4 cups of the flour in a large bowl with the salt. Add the yeast mixture, the remaining water, and oil and stir until combined. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Grease a large bowl with the remaining oil, add the dough and turn to coat. Cover and place in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Preheat the grill to high. Once the dough has risen, divide it in half, and divide each half into 2 balls. Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle. Brush with oil and grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread about 1/2 cup of the sauce on each pizza and top with goat cheese and basil. Place pizza on the grill and cook until bottom crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from heat, drizzle with red chili oil, and serve. Tomato-Red Pepper Sauce: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add red peppers and tomatoes and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Puree in a food processor until smooth. Let cool slightly. Red Chili Oil: In a blender, combine oil, red chili flakes, and salt; blend for 1 minute. Strain into a small bowl or squeeze bottle.

LOBSTER SALAD WITH CORN, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, AND BASIL-MINT OIL

Steps:

• In a 10- to 12-quart kettle bring 8 quarts water to a boil with bay leaves and coarse salt. Plunge 1 lobster into water headfirst and simmer, covered, 12 minutes. With tongs immediately transfer lobster to a bowl to cool. Return water to a boil and cook remaining lobster in same manner.
• When lobsters are cool enough to handle, break off claws at body of each lobster. Crack claws and remove meat. Reserve some claw meat, covered and chilled, for garnish if desired and cut remainder into bite-size pieces. Twist tails off lobster bodies and discard bodies. With kitchen shears remove thin hard membrane from underside of each tail by cutting just inside outer edge of shell. Remove meat from each tail and cut into bite-size pieces. Transfer claw and tail meat to a large bowl and chill, covered.
• Shuck corn and cut kernels from cobs. Trim sugar snap peas and diagonally cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cut bell peppers into 1- by 1/4-inch-thick strips. Finely chop enough shallots to measure 1/3 cup.
• In a large non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté peas and bell peppers with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer sautéed vegetables to a plate and cool completely. Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and sauté corn and shallots with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer corn mixture to another plate and cool completely. Add all vegetables with salt and pepper to taste to lobster, tossing to combine. Chill salad, covered, until cold and up to 1 day.
• Toss salad with lemon juice and serve with basil-mint oil and lemon wedges.

PAPPARDELLE WITH FRESH RICOTTA, SQUASH BLOSSOMS AND BASIL OIL

Steps:

• To make the basil oil, in a small dish stir together the basil, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil. Add a little salt and pepper. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and cook until barely done, 1 or 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Tear the squash blossoms into strips.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Add pappardelle to the skillet with the zucchini. Add squash blossoms, ricotta and a little salt and pepper. Quickly stir together with 2 wooden spoons, leaving the ricotta a little chunky. Add pasta water if necessary and transfer to a warm serving bowl.
• At the table, top each serving with 2 teaspoons basil oil and a sprinkling of grated pecorino.

GRILLED SALMON WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium high heat.
• Combine basil, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Brush evenly over salmon pieces, tops and bottoms.
• Place salmon into pan and cook until browned on one side. Turn and cook until center is barely translucent in the center, about 10 minutes total.

SLOW COOKER ROSEMARY OR BASIL INFUSED OIL

Steps:

• Place the oil and the rosemary (or basil) in the insert of the slow cooker.
• Cook on high, uncovered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then turn the cooker off.
• Allow the oil to cool for about 20 minutes, and then pour it through a sieve lined with a clean paper towel or paper coffee filter into a metal bowl.
• When the oil is completely cool, transfer it to a clean glass jar, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month; after that the flavor may fade.
• The oil may cloud under refrigeration, but it will become clear again at room temperature.

SIMPLE GARLIC BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth and uniformly green.
• Serve with crusty bread for dipping or over pasta.

SKILLET CORN, EDAMAME, AND TOMATOES WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add basil; cook 10 seconds. Transfer basil to a bowl of ice water, then drain, and squeeze dry. Puree basil, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• Heat remaining oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions and garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add corn, edamame, and remaining salt. Cook, stirring, until starting to caramelize, about 10 minutes (reduce heat to medium if overbrowning). Add tomatoes and vinegar; cook until tomatoes start to collapse, about 8 minutes.
• Drizzle basil oil on vegetables, and stir. Serve immediately.