Basil is an herb with a sweet and savory flavor that is often used in Italian cuisine. It is also a key ingredient in pesto sauce, a versatile condiment that can be used on pasta, pizza, or even as a marinade for chicken or fish. If you're looking for a delicious and easy way to add some fresh flavor to your meals, basil sauce is a great option. This article provides three different recipes for basil sauce, so you can find one that suits your taste and preferences. The first recipe is a classic pesto sauce, made with fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. The second recipe is a creamy basil sauce, made with heavy cream, cream cheese, basil, and Parmesan cheese. The third recipe is a simple basil sauce, made with just basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. All three sauces are easy to make and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
BASIL CREAM SAUCE
After a mad search on the net for a recipe for this sauce I had to create my own. This can be reheated in the microwave without the usual cream sauce defects. I just love the light green color and how well it displays over tri color or regular pasta, salmon and grilled chicken. I have been putting this on everything.
Provided by MESSY
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Creamy
Time 25m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a food processor, combine basil and garlic. Begin processing, and pour in olive oil in a thin stream. Process for about 40 seconds, or until mixture begins to emulsify. Add pine nuts and Parmesan, then blend for 1 minute.
- Heat cream in a saucepan over low heat until simmering. Pour 1/2 of the hot cream into the processor with basil pesto, and pulse for 20 seconds to incorporate. Pour mixture back into cream, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.8 calories, Carbohydrate 3.8 g, Cholesterol 50.3 mg, Fat 28.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 10.9 g, Sodium 117 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE
Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce - and it's made with basic pantry ingredients. All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe. Use a skillet instead of the usual saucepan: the water evaporates quickly, so the tomatoes are just cooked through as the sauce becomes thick. (Our colleagues over at Wirecutter have spent a lot of time testing skillets to find the best on the market. If you're looking to purchase one, check out their skillet guide.)
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories quick, condiments, dips and spreads, sauces and gravies
Time 25m
Yield 3 1/2 cups, enough for 1 pound of pasta
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
- In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
- As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
- Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 94, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 275 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
BASIL PASTA SAUCE
Nothing beats the aroma of this speedy simmered pasta sauce...except its wonderful taste. To round out the meal, toss together a green salad and pop some garlic bread in the oven as shown in the photo at right. Or, steam asparagus for a swift side dish and pick up a chocolate cream pie from the supermarket.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute mushrooms and onions in oil. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the tomatoes, wine, basil and salt. Bring to a boil; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage and tomato paste; heat through. Serve with pasta.
Nutrition Facts :
RICH BASIL PASTA SAUCE
The ingredients are very simple but the flavor is very rich and deep. My mom told me to make a pasta sauce with some fresh basil she had on hand. I searched everywhere for something simple with simple ingredients and couldn't find anything so I created this. I used it with spaghetti but works will with any pasta. It's very good!! I like to mix the milk with whipped chive flavored cream cheese for extra kick.
Provided by silver282
Categories Sauces
Time 20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put garlic cloves and basil in food processor and process until smooth.
- Add olive oil and paramsean to the mixture and process until smooth.
- Set aside.
- Heat the butter onto a large pan or wok until melted.
- Mix in the basil mixture and stir over medium heat.
- Cook until garlic is clear and basil is soft for 4 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk into the wok/pan while stirring. Simmer for 5-8 minutes.
Tips:
- For the freshest flavor, use basil that is freshly picked from your garden or purchased from a farmer's market.
- When making basil sauce, it is important to use a food processor or blender to get a smooth and creamy consistency.
- You can add different ingredients to basil sauce to create different flavors. For example, you can add garlic, lemon juice, pine nuts, or even avocado.
- Basil sauce can be used as a pasta sauce, a salad dressing, or a dipping sauce for vegetables or bread.
- Basil sauce is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals.
Conclusion:
Basil sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. With its bright green color and aromatic flavor, basil sauce is sure to add a touch of freshness and flavor to your next meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your food, reach for some basil and make a batch of this delicious sauce.
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