From the Garden: Homemade Basil Salt
There is something especially satisfying about taking something you grew in the garden and turning it into something you can keep enjoying long after the growing season ends.
This year I grew a beautiful Greek-style bush basil. It has tiny leaves, a compact growing habit and the most incredible smell. I knew I wanted to do something with it that was simple enough to really let that fresh basil flavour shine.
So, basil salt it was.
And I genuinely wish you could smell this immediately after blending it. The combination of freshly picked basil and sea salt smells absolutely incredible.
Homemade Basil Salt
Ingredients
2 cups packed fresh basil (or whatever variety of basil you love)
1 cup flaky sea salt
Instructions
Wash your basil and allow it to drain well.
Blend the fresh basil and salt together.
Spread in a thin, even layer on a dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate at 105°F / 40°C until completely dry and crumbly.
Blend again to your preferred texture.
Transfer to a clean, completely dry glass jar.
That’s it.
The drying time will vary depending on how much moisture is in your basil and how thickly you spread the mixture, so I don’t worry too much about the clock.
The important part is making sure it is completely dry before putting it into a sealed jar.
What Do You Use Basil Salt On?
This is one of those little pantry staples that can go on almost anything you’d normally season with salt.
Try it on fresh tomatoes, eggs, roasted potatoes, vegetables, pasta, pizza, focaccia, avocado toast, chicken or fish.
I think it would also be beautiful sprinkled over fresh mozzarella and tomatoes in the summer.
A Little Bit of Summer for Later
I love projects like this because they’re simple. No complicated ingredients or equipment — just something grown in the garden turned into something useful for the kitchen.
And when the garden has gone quiet for the season, I’ll still have a little jar of that basil waiting in the cupboard.
From the Garden | Seaside Magnolia
Find beauty in the little things.
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