
Nutritional facts:
Lemon basil has moderate levels of beta-carotene and high levels of vitamin K, both are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon basil also contains small amounts of potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium.
Flavour:
Lemon Basil has a pleasing lemon scent and a tangy citrus flavour.
Goes well with:
Pick the leaves and use fresh or dried in vinegars, with fish, vegetables or added to soups. As with most basil varieties, lemon basil should only be cooked briefly so as not to sacrifice its flavour and aromatic qualities. Chop lemon basil and puree with fresh blueberries and water, then serve as a cold soup.
Recipes
Ginger Lemonade
- 1/2 cup ginger, sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3/4 cup water
- a few sprigs of lemon basil
Lemon Basil Cucumber Salad
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 limes)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon expeller-pressed vegetable oil
- 3 medium cucumbers (about 1 1/2 pounds), thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh red Thai chiles
- 1 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts
- 1/4 cup lemon basil, other basil, or mint leaves, torn
Lemon Basil Chicken
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (packed) grated lemon peel
- 1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried