Chopped fresh tomatoes on a fresh slice of bread coated with olive oil, topped with basil leaves and finished with a pinch of sea salt. A bubbling tomato sauce brought to life with roughly torn basil leaves. A chunky basil pesto tossed through pasta.
I could go on forever listing the ways I love to eat basil (ooh I nearly forgot on top of pizza!). It used to be one of those plants that I could grow with seriously little effort so I could indulge whenever I felt like it. I bought one packet of seeds years ago and from that I had more plants than you could imagine. I'd let it go to seed then shake those little flowers out and new plants would shoot up in their place.
I haven't had that sort of luck recently but the one little seedling I got at the Noosa Farmer's Market grew like crazy. I should back up a minute and say that I refuse to buy bunches of herbs at the market. If I really need some I usually buy a seedling or plant and attempt to keep it alive.
With this little plant, I pinched its leaves away whenever I remembered to make it nice and bushy and it was growing like crazy. Then some sort of insect found my prized basil. Clearly it was desirable because they quickly nibbled away. It started getting a little bit woody so I chopped the whole thing back and was picking the leaves getting them ready to freeze when I remembered a post I'd seen over at The Cafe Sucre Farine showing how to grow basil seedlings from cuttings.
I straight away found the best little branches I could and popped them in bottles on my window sill hoping they'd sprout and sprout they did. I had 2 casualties but the rest grew good solid little roots. The leaves grew heaps too but as Chris warns, don't be tempted to pick them or your little seedling will die of shock.
Chris has much better instructions than mine so pop over there if you want the full run down and not just my shove- some-cuttings-in-water instructions. This post was more of a last minute case of 'oh this is a really good idea I should share it' kind of post. Chris used a bunch of basil she bought at the market for $2.50 to make 12 little plants.
If you don't have use for 12 basil plants they make great gifts in a pretty pot. If you found a good price on the pot that's about $5 for a gift that keeps on giving. Not bad is it? Apparently this trick works for a few different types of herbs. I'll do some experimenting and get back to you.
Here's one little guy in his pot ready to grow up big and strong. Wish him luck!
What about you? What's your favourite way to eat basil? Do you grow herbs?
The Life of Clare says
I think basil is one of the only herbs that I haven't tried to grow from cuttings. I've got rosemary growing roots in a cup of water at the moment.
Claire says
You'll have to try now!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Love it! I do this with different mint varieties, never tried it with basit though, thank you for posting!!
Also, just quickly, does frozen basil do well, I assume it wilts when defrosted? Is the taste still good? Do you freeze the leaves only or the stems too? Sorry for the zillion questions! It's just such a great idea ;)
Claire says
I freeze it ok Lisa. It does crumble up but it's perfect for cooking. I just freeze the leaves.
Jess says
Yay - I've been looking forward to this since you mentioned it on my site! I have never tried it before, but I'm so trying it now!
Claire says
Oh yes Jess you can have it all year round!
lizzie - strayed from the table says
I have not had much luck growing sweet basil, yet I have a bush that someone gave to me from a cutting and it is thriving. I will have to take some more cuttings and try and grow more. Maybe the basil I have is a bit harder than the store bought variety. Would love to see how your basil grows from your cuttings.
Claire says
They're a bit contrary aren't they? Give the cuttings a go! I'm hoping it grows so I can expand the garden once we move. Fingers crossed!
celia says
Great idea! We grow almost all our basil from seed - good to know this method works too!
Claire says
I'm going to try seed again next time Celia!
Glamorous Glutton says
I didn't know it was that straightforward to grow basil from cuttings. I love my herb garden and grow a selection of the herbs I use most. This year they've gone wild, even though the weather is still cold. I'm waiting for better weather before I plant any basil. GG
Claire says
How wonderful that your garden is growing so well GG! Yes I probably should have waited a little while but we'll see how it goes.
The Café Sucre Farine says
Oh Claire, you've got me raring to sprout basil again but I think I need some of your cute little bottles ........... please? Thanks for the link Claire, so glad your basil babies blossomed into lovely plants! :)
Claire says
If you come to visit I'll send you home with some :-)
Nancy says
What a great idea. I have bottle envy too.
Claire says
Aren't they cute? I bought them when I hosted my friend's baby shower last year and now I use them for everything! They make great little vases.
Sofia says
Hi :)
This is a wonderful idea!! I have to try it!
Thanks for sharing!! :)
Claire says
Thanks Sofia. You're welcome :-)
Hotly Spiced says
I didn't know you could do that with basil. I'll have to try it. Love your bottles xx
Claire says
Neither did I Charlie! Thanks, me too! x