I hope all of my US friends enjoyed a fun and safe fourth of July celebration.I look forward to reading your posts.
Our Basil is growing beautifully and I have been enjoying its wonderful fragrance and fabulous taste. I add basil to sauces, use it for pesto, chop it and sprinkle it in salads and over fresh tomato slices. But, one of my all time favorites is to place a couple of large leaves, a tomato slice, a little salt and pepper and add it into the center of a grilled cheese sandwich. It is the yummiest grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever tasted. Our grandchildren love it too! If kids will eat it you know it’s good. 
Picking basil- Look down the stem and locate the point where the stalk meets leaves on the side. Pick the stem and top leaves at this section. Leave the small bunches of leaves on the plant they will produce larger leaves. Picking leaves frequently will encourage growth. If you see your basil producing flowers on top (like mine in the photo) pinch these off. I have removed mine, I left them for you to see.
Storing Basil- Fill a jar with water, place the basil leaves ( keep longer stems for this way of storing) in the water and put them in your refrigerator ( they may droop at first but will freshen up quickly) they will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks. You can also wrap them in a slightly dampened paper towel and then place them in your fridge, they will stay fresh for about 1 week .If you have a dehydrator that is also and option, then store in an air tight container and it will last for up to 4 months.
Do you grow basil, or other herbs? What’s your favorite use for basil?
Have a great weekend! Next week I will announce the new giveaway!
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32 comments
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Raquel - 2dayswoman
July 6, 2012 at 02:27 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I absolutely loooove Basil, it’s one of my favorite herbs! I try and grow Basil every year but for some reason it keeps dying on me
I’m really keen to try out your grilled-cheese-recipe this coming weekend for lunch; it looks delicious!! Yummy 
Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead
Raquel
Ms. A
July 6, 2012 at 02:31 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’ve never grown, or even used fresh basil. Other than an occasional onion, or garlic, I don’t use much of anything… but I’m not much of a cook, either. My kids sure are! They didn’t get it from me.
Shady Del Knight
July 6, 2012 at 03:11 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As a girl Mrs. Shady learned the art (and love) of cooking from her father who owned a restaurant in Baltimore. Today she tends her herb garden and makes liberal use of Basil in her cooking, particularly in pesto and salads as you mentioned. Have a wonderful weekend, dear Katie, and please give Izzy a biscuit from Shady!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
July 6, 2012 at 04:44 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
We’d probably kill it. But we’re always buying fresh basil at the store for pastas and pizza.
Danavee
July 6, 2012 at 05:53 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Super handy!!! I planted my first basil this year! I needed this!!!
Pam@over50feeling40
July 6, 2012 at 05:57 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love basil…grow it in my kitchen window. Thanks for the refrigerator tips!! have a great weekend, Katie!
Becky
July 6, 2012 at 06:31 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
My favorite use for basil is to put fresh cuttings in my chickens’ nest boxes.
Curtains in my tree
July 6, 2012 at 06:33 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
My basil in my herb garden is doing wonderful and i usually dry a lot and put is jars for cooking with it in the winter I add it to all my soups
I just lay it on my cookie trays till it drys up sometimes a week then jar it up
I love to bring it in like you did and add it to a jar of water the smell is wonderful,
stay cool we are at 105 today
Kara
July 6, 2012 at 08:28 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hello! I found you on Sassy Sites! Link up party this week, and I loooove basil!! This sandwich looks so yummy and as a vegetarian, I love finding new ways to make grilled cheese. I can’t wait to try this. I grow my own basil, so thanks for all the tips!! Stop by my blog to see other ways I have used basil..you might like my caprese bread bites!
Robyn
July 6, 2012 at 13:29 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I Love Basil. The aroma is amazing.. I can’t garden due to health issue’s but I was thinking about looking into what herbs and veggies I can possibly grow in pots on my deck..
Robyn
JTwisdom
July 6, 2012 at 15:45 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love using basil on chicken, and in my spaghetti sauces. That panini looks delicious.
Evelyn
July 6, 2012 at 20:36 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love basil, I usually make pesto and freeze the pesto to use year around:) I saw a recipe earlier today for basil lemonade. That would be so good to try with your grilled cheese sandwich:) Thank you, my friend, for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
Lexie
July 6, 2012 at 21:34 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I use Basil in almost everything. My favorite is caprese salad. If you grill veggies and put fresh basil on them, the taste is more amazing as it cooks into the food.
shirley@housepitalitydesigns
July 7, 2012 at 05:08 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love basil…I keep it in a flower pot on the kitchen counter all the time….just love the smell!!!…Glad your basil is doing so well!!…
Carol
July 7, 2012 at 06:51 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Basil reminds me of big dinners, lots of italian, and just friendships with friends. I am German and still love it, because Italian rest. are always warm and welcoming.
Little Susie Home Maker
July 7, 2012 at 07:52 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Your basil looks great. Thank you for all your tips. That is very helpful to me. I know I will try the grilled cheese this way. it is my sons favorite sandwich, so I will try this next time!
Have a great week end!
Blessings,
Susie
andrea
July 7, 2012 at 08:04 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Basil!!!! even enough to name one of our doggies after it…pops son is basil : ) and this kind of basil : ) LOVE the sandwich and love basil on just about all foods! thanks for sharing your beautiful plants…can you believe it — that is one thing i can grow…THANK GOD because we use so much of it! How is the little pup doing? Sending tons of hugs and love your way and so sorry i have been sparse — i have just been overwhelmed to say the least! love you!
ATasteOfMadness
July 7, 2012 at 09:08 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I wish I grew some basil! I don’t use much basil in my cooking..I guess it’s because the ones around where I live don’t seem to be that fresh. I think growing it would eliminate that problem!
Beverly
July 7, 2012 at 10:18 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Your sandwich sounds delish. I’ll be right over. ♥
Stacie
July 7, 2012 at 11:47 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Oh how I wish I had a green thumb. I’m sure it would save me a lot of money! Enjoy your weekend too!
momto8blog
July 7, 2012 at 12:25 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I use basil! I get so much of it in the summer garden I freeze it for winter to put in my red pasta sauces…yum!!!
Melanie
July 7, 2012 at 12:31 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’ve made grilled cheese with basil – yummy! It’s also great to make a simple pizza (margherita)…basil, fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes. And then there’s the classic pesto sauce.
Peggy-PJH Designs
July 7, 2012 at 14:43 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That sandwich sounds delicious. I hate I don’t have a green thumb plus it has been so hot here in Texas that everything just burns up. I love basil in soups and sauces and yours looks delicious. Thanks for coming by my blog and following me. Good luck on the giveaway. I’m a new follower.
Jan
July 7, 2012 at 15:17 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
My Basil plant gets used alot too! We love it!! We just had some tonite on halved grape tomatoes, with a bit of salt, pepper, Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Yum!!
Jan ♥
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap
July 7, 2012 at 20:22 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You have such wonderful projects, ideas, & makeovers on your blog which just makes visiting that much more fun. I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can check out all the info on my blog http://frugalaintcheap.blogspot.com/
Congratulations!
Nicole@Show Off Friday Blog Hop
July 7, 2012 at 23:23 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That is basil you should be really be proud of! It’s a beautiful picture! Have a fantastic rest of the weekend and I really appreciate your visits on show off Friday!
huda
July 8, 2012 at 00:59 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
nice post dear
http://glamorousgirlblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/barbie-super-nudy-light-gold-lenses.html
Cindy
July 8, 2012 at 14:37 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Your Basil looks wonderful. Mine isn’t doing so well this year. Too hot!
Words Of Deliciousness
July 8, 2012 at 19:47 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Your grilled cheese sandwich sounds wonderful. Such a great idea to made the basil to it, I am going to have to try it. I grew basil last year in my garden.
Queenie Believe
July 9, 2012 at 08:18 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Beautiful Basil indeed! Enjoy!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Deborah
July 9, 2012 at 16:34 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Your sandwich sounds delicious. No I have never grown any herbs.
Caren
July 13, 2012 at 17:02 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love basil! Thanks for the tips on growing and storing it!
I would love it if you would share this at my new Smart Solutions linky party. You can link up here:
http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/prudent-projects-smart-solutions-linky_13.html
Have a great day!