Tips on cooking with basil

Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman, Phd at St. Louis University in Missouri says that since most of the flavor from basil comes from its volatile oils, which break down in hot temperatures, add basil to recipes in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

She also recommends adding fresh basil to dishes containing fresh spinach or lettuce to reduce any possible germ contamination. Basil contains antimicrobial properties to fight against germs so as to keep the digestive system healthy.

Remember when buying basil, organic is better. Some basil is irradiated, which can significantly reduce the antioxidant content of the herb. As they are easy to grow, this is a good option. Mildred recommends to grow them outdoors in the warm months and indoors before the fall frost.

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