What's your fave way to use fresh basil?

[blessedmama59]

Just looking for ideas from you other ladies here. I have a ton of it and would like to use it differently than how I normally would- pasta sauces, pesto, throw it in salad or on a sandwich, chop and throw in sauteed corn/other veg. I am going to make some lemon-basil muffins. I like the idea of using it in sweets too! Anyways, thanks and I am looking forward to hearing your ideas!

[Llyra]

It's yummy in cream soups. I make corn chowder, with onions, potatoes, corn, and sweet red peppers, and season it with tons of basil. There's something about the contrast between the creamy texture and the coolness of basil that's just so tasty.

[Arduinna]

green goddess dressing
bruschetta
pizza margarita
corn salad, basically fresh corn kernals, chopped basil, red onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper

[cristeen]

It works really nicely w a balsamic vinaigrette. I did a pasta salad recently w balsamic and just shredded all the basil i had left into it.

[columbusmomma]

I just had a yummy fresh spinach salad with pesto and peas over it.
I like to use it when thai cooking too.

[blessedmama59]

I really like the chowder idea..I've been wanting to make a big pot of shrimp and corn chowder anyway. I like the corn salad idea too. Sounds so simple and refreshing! Yum!

[rhiOrion]

I love any variation of a caprise salad.

Tomatoes/mozzarella/basil/balsamic

That by itself is great.

Chop the ingredients and add them and a splash of EVOO to some pasta. Yum.

Chop it finer and put it on some italian bread.

mmmmmm.

[calebsmommy25]

I was thinking thinking of different ideas for basil this morning too when I discovered our plants had doubled! I'm getting tired of pesto, but thought I might make some and marinate some chicken in it for a change, add some sundried tomatoes to it, or add walnuts instead of pine nuts. I'm going to make a big batch of bruschetta and add some to that. I was also thinking of making an herb butter with some fresh basil, parsley and chives. I do always like a good tomato, basil and mozz sandwich...too bad our tomatoes are ripe yet!

[Sol_y_Paz]

Pesto. Fresh leaves on top of a homemade pizza. In a pasta sauce. Mixed with other herbs from the garden to spice up normal cream cheese. In soup.
I sometimes just eat it plain.

[blessedmama59]

Mmm..bruchetta does sound pretty good. I believe that may be on the menu tomorrow! Herbed butter is a great idea too.

[jpamama]

Excellent appy is - 1/2 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of water with basil in it - simmer till it is half gone. Take out the basil and add 3 tbsp of good balsamic vinegar and blend together. Spread goat cheese over crostini and drizzle the honey mixture over. It is sinfully delicious.

[Rosehip]

Tonight I made shrimp scampi & subbed fresh basil for the fresh parsley, after my 5 yo washed away my parsley plant when she tried to water it with a full blast hose.