Your daily crossword, Sudoku and dozens of other puzzles are now available online. (Tribune News Service)The garden gods have been good to me so far this summer, even if the weather has been something of a nightmare for those of us without central air.Despite a long string of 90-degree days and not enough rain, my basil is thriving. (You can also order them online.) Another popular variety, lemon basil, has a noticeable citrus flavor that lends itself to seafood. Pick up an aromatic bunch at your local farmers market this weekend or pluck it directly from your garden. What makes my Thai basil pesto a little different from most is I don’t use fish sauce in my recipe. [Photograph: Cathy Erway]It's a versatile herb, though, and good to have on hand for a punchier caprese or ratatouille, but its true boon is the anise intensity it brings to East and Southeast Asian dishes from Thai coconut milk curry to Taiwanese three cup chicken. Mix with noodles (I used soba), veggies and protein. Once any herb has been dried, the flavor will be more mild than that offered by fresh varieties. [Photograph: Alyss, With summer drawing to a close, I'm making full use of my very favorite fresh herb: basil. Thai basil's sturdy leaves and spicy anise flavor make it the perfect companion to food from all over Asia. I love improvising too. Other than omitting the ginger I follwed the recipe to the t with my fresh cut Thai basil.Ann!! Nevertheless, it’s hard to go wrong with ingredients as fresh and simple as this — the results will always be good. Pesto butter also is wonderful on grilled meats or fish, potatoes, or toasted bread. Stay up to date on COVID-19 She has been an avid cook and food lover since childhood. packed rough weight). The flavors in the pesto are strong as with most pesto. It adds a fresh, herbal-licorice flavor not quite like anything else.With purple stems whose color intensifies as the plant grows larger, Thai basil's leaves are sturdier than floppy sweet basil, and its slim, pointed shape more closely resembles mint than its Italian cousin. Sweet basil has a hint of mint that pairs exceptionally well with citrus, and everyone loves a bite of something sweet to close out the day.You might not be able to take that trip to Key West this year for obvious reasons, or anywhere else where there’s sand and water, but you can still eat like you did.Pesto is super easy to make, and it can dress up so many more things than a plate of pasta. While the pasta is cooking, cut the tomatoes in half. But the leaves also can be wrapped in paper towels, placed in a plastic bag and slipped into the fridge. Thanks to soft and tasty leaves at the ready, pesto is making regular appearances on my table. You can make tomato basil pasta (obviously! Thai chicken basil comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout. Fresh! Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. (Tribune News Service)Basil pesto requires no cooking and comes together in minutes in a food processor or blender. Slowly add milk to paste until you achieve an even consistency. Turn it into bolognese sauce by adding browned ground beef and sausage (or keep things veggie-friendly with mushrooms). (Tribune News Service)Green beans add crunch to the popular Thai stir-fry dish basil chicken, while minced chile peppers add heat. Is it any good? So glad you enjoyed this recipe.Hi Jess! Three, Pesto (like this easy This Thai Basil Pesto isn’t for the weak… I mean, it’s pesto and it’s full of very strong flavors. Basil is popular as a food seasoning but also used in teas and supplements to promote health benefits. Who could resist?A cup of Thai basil leaves works its magic with red chilli, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar in this eggplant, bell pepper and tofu stir-fry dish. I love your adaptations. Pour over freshly cooked pasta. Being stuck at home with an office overlooking my garden has undoubtedly helped because it is hard not to notice when my plants need a drink.Basil loves the sun and a well-drained spot in the garden, but it also grows well in a pot on a bright, sunny windowsill. You’ll have to blanch the leaves first to preserve its beautiful bright green color and then pat them dry with a dish cloth or paper towel. This recipe has a bite but isn’t This Thai Basil Pesto is quick and easy to make. And may good fortune be with you!Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. This simple pasta sauce is perfect for spaghetti, but you can also use it on a variety of other dishes.