The best calamari are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This requires a thin coating of the flour mixture and then quick-frying in oil at the proper temperature. Enoy it as is, with a squeeze of lemon or with Basil Aïoli Dipping Sauce.
Fragrant with coconut, ginger and shallots, this brightly flavoured curry is best served over jasmine rice or rice noodles. Fresh cilantro or basil leaves make a pretty garnish and add an extra layer of flavour. Serve with braised bok choy for the perfect simple Thai supper.
Pesto is traditionally an uncooked sauce made of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Prior to the days of food processors, the ingredients were crushed using a mortar and pestle. This fresh-tasting sauce is an ideal topper for pasta, pizza, bruschetta, grilled meats and more.
I wanted to make an entree based on Caprese salad ingredients: bocconcini cheese, tomatoes and fresh basil. This recipe turned out so easy and delicious, I put the dish together in 5 minutes, and then bake it for 40 minutes. It's easy to adjust the recipe for any number of servings and received rave reviews from my guests.
This versatile fish stew is a classic of the West Coast. For the best flavour, use the freshest seafood you can find. Cut scallops in half if they are larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm). Serve with a sprinkling of fresh basil and a slice of crusty Italian bread to soak up al the juice.
Sweet, pungent basil has a reputation for being an herb of romance. Pair it with a touch of hot pepper to help ignite the fire, and you're in for a fun evening. Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their sweetness and flavour, even if they're out of season. If you prefer a mild pasta, use only a pinch of the hot pepper flakes.
The essence of this Vietnamese pho lies in the long-cooking, rich beef broth which forms the base of the soup - the slow cooker is the ultimate tool for the task. Fresh, vibrant garnishes, like bean sprouts, assorted fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro and basil, thinly sliced onion, chilies and lime wedges, make each and every bowl of soup unique. Serve them at the table in separate bowls so each person can create the pho of their dreams.
Simmer up any of these flavourful sauces to store in the freezer. About 1 cup (250 mL) sauce is enough for 3 oz (90 g) pasta (spaghetti is ideal), or one serving. In fact, you may want to double the batch; just increase the simmering time by 1-1/2 hours. Serve over pasta with Parmesan and basil in season or parsley. Beef Ragu Fill your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of this simmering ragu, an Italian meat sauce for pasta. For a faster, somewhat smoother sauce, pur?the tomatoes before adding them to the pan and reduce the cooking time by 45 minutes.
