4 Fun and Super-Simple Ways to Use Fresh Basil

Great moments of connection and conversation often happen over a shared task, particularly culinary endeavors. There’s real magic in that time together. In that spirit (and because it’s basil planting season), we offer some suggestions on easy ways to gather in the kitchen for some fun using fresh basil. So let’s roll up our sleeves, physically and metaphorically, and get to it.

Here are 4 fun and super-simple ways to use fresh basil.

1) Basil Pesto

Pesto is basically summer in a jar. It’s delightfully simple, and invites smaller hands to join in the fun too!

What You’ll Need: Freshly plucked basil leaves, cloves of garlic, a handful of pine nuts (or walnuts add a lovely twist), Parmesan cheese, and a glug of olive oil.

The Magic:

Let your camper(s) play sous chef, picking basil leaves and helping peel and smash garlic. Combine garlic with the rest of your ingredients using mortar and pestle (or a blender…) transforming them into a smooth, aromatic paste.

Upon reaching the desired consistency, a taste test (of course) is in order! Spread it on bread, pasta, pizza, a rice dish, or whatever you can find. Enjoy!

2) Herbed Butter

Add a little joy on morning toast and much more with homemade herbed butter.

What You’ll Need: Softened butter, fresh basil, and a pinch of salt.

The Magic:

• Begin with butter softened by leaving it out at room temperature (67-72 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Finely chop and/or tear the basil. Use safety knives with younger campers.
• Gently mix the basil and salt into the butter together in a mixing bowl, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
• For added fun, create your best butter sculpture before refrigerating.

3) Basil-Infused Water

Hydration? More like celebration!

What You’ll Need: Basil, cucumber or lemon (why not both?), and water.

The Magic:

• Encourage your camper to tear up basil and add it to a pitcher of water.
• Slice in cucumber, lemon, and other fresh fruit for an extra refreshing twist.
• Chill, serve, and say YUM
  

4) Caprese Skewers

Create a family assembly-line that’s both fun and flavorful. Each person can take a station, adding their own twist to each skewer!

What You’ll Need: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil leaves, bamboo cocktail picks, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and a splash of olive oil.

The Magic:

• Skewer a tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball (and whatever else you’d like), have fun passing the creation back and forth down the assembly line until you’ve built the ultimate tasty combination
• Add a final drizzle of balsamic and olive oil, and you’ve crafted a masterpiece on a stick.

More than just a culinary project, simple fun in the kitchen is an invitation to connect, and to savor both creations and joyful moments together.