Basil is probably my favourite culinary herb, or at least one of them. It has a sweet, fresh aroma and subtle anise (licorice) flavour. It is most commonly used in Italian cooking and is the main component of pesto, but basil is also used in Thai cuisine (like the popular Basil-Beef dish). Basil is best eaten raw or only lightly cooked, either sprinkled over a salad or tossed with fresh pasta right before serving, and is the perfect pairing for tomatoes. In the summer, basil grows easily in a sunny spot in the garden. For the rest of the year, rather than buying the little, and expensive, packages at the grocery store, buy a couple potted plants and leave them on the windowsill. As long as you remember to water them occasionally, you can pick leaves from the plants as needed and the leaves will quickly re-grow. We've had these 3 beautiful basil plants next to our windows in the Test Kitchen for over 2 months now! When visiting Genoa, Italy, I walked into a small square busy with local and tourists enjoying the sunny day. I could smell the basil before I could see the eccentric vendor, green costume and all, selling bunches of fresh basil from a cart. Despite the signs asking that no photographs be taken, I snapped this pic below. See here for our tips on how to wash and store fresh herbs here.   Photography by Leah Kuhne