I found this idea for using up your basil by making basil-flavored salt in my September issue of Food Network Magazine!
Since I have pesto in the fridge and freezer, I thought I’d make some to preserve the flavor of summer and enjoy with the last of the summer tomatoes since my basil runneth over~
I tend to be less diligent at removing all the blooms toward the middle of summer, since the bees love the little white flowers. Consequently it reseeds and comes up in cracks and crevices~ what volunteers looks better than basil I carefully plant, water, and tend to in the spring :)
All you need to infuse the flavor of summer in your salt is
1/2 cup of kosher salt and 1/2 cup of packed basil leaves.
Pulse them together in the food processor~
Spread your salt mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 225 degrees F until dry, 30 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Let salt cool and pulse again to make a fine powder.
I was also looking for an excuse to buy this
Cast-Iron Wheelbarrow Salt Cellar from Pottery Barn :)
They’re on sale now at Pottery Barn and would
make a great gift for the cook or gardener,
packaged with a half pint jar of basil salt~
Wonderful, wonderful. Too bad we don’t have smell-a-blog … I do love basil. I’m going to try this. A girl can make only so much pesto! I have the jars. With the wheelbarrow salt cellar — a really cute gift.
What a GREAT idea. Like you, I still have a lot of basil left, but don’t need any more pesto. I also let mine go to seed this time of year because the bees and hummingbirds love it. I’m making some this weekend. (I love that salt cellar, too, as well as the fork plant marker. Honestly, you have the CUTEST stuff!)
Fabulous idea! I have a bunch of basil in a glass of water on my counter as we speak and have been wondering how to get it all eaten. Will make some basil salt this afternoon!
Great idea, Mary. I like to put cut basil in a vase with flowers. Love the fragrance it gives to freshen a room. Happy Weekend………Sarah
I don’t have any basil but could BUY some:) I LVE that wheelbarrel salt cellar and will have to get to PB ASAP!!!!!!!!! Have a beautiful weekend. XO
I have basil going to flower on the deck but sadly this is not happening now. Make some and think of me. It is lovely in the wee wheelbarrow.
What an adorable idea for a gift set: wheelbarrow salt cellar and homemade basil salt! LOVE this, Mary!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
The pictures do not come through, what do I do yo fix it?
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Such a great idea. I love basil and glad to learn it will reseed. The little wheel barrow is so cute. They will probably be all gone before I get to a Pottery Barn! Off to cut some basil and make the salt. Thanks!
The basil salt sounds amazing Mary and that CI wheelbarrow is just too cute-enjoy:@)
A couple of years ago friends of ours gave us a gift of an assortment of flavored salts they had made. They put each little packet into a clean clam shell ‘bento’ type container and decorated the top with a pair of wooden chopsticks and colorful ribbons…really cute packaging idea.. One of the salts was basil flavored. Lovely!
I love the little wheelbarrow salt cellar!
Sounds perfect, I love basil and pesto.
Neat idea executed so well by your hand.
- The Tablescaper
Mary, I too have been looking for an excuse to buy that cute wheel barrow from PB! I was thinking sugar or even ground pepper, but now I know what I can use it for! I have SOOO much basil still growing and I need to cut it before we get a frost, which may be soon–you never know up here. Linda
What a wonderful brilliant delicious idea! Can’t wait to try, my basil plant looks just like that right now…
WOW!!! this is a great way to use up the extra basil and what a fabulous idea for a hostess gift!!
Oh you talented girl you! May I be your apprentice?
Of course I will have to bring Bentley.
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Mary, You know that I am going right out and today and picking the last of my basil for this great salt! What fun! I love the taste of basil and this is certainly a wonderful way to preserve the summer.
Mary you pictures just draw me in!!!
What a fabulous idea! I have some Basil that needs to be tended too. I think I will make some Basil Salt. Thanks so much.
Terrific notion! I love the little wheelbarrow too :)
This is a great idea! My basil will last a few more weeks on the warm Gulf Coast, but after that . . . I’m grabbing the salt!
Thanks!
What a great idea. I still have plenty of basil. I’ll have to try this.
Sam
Mary, you are an amazing talent! Tablescapes, food, beautiful photography, great recipes and tips: It’s all fabulous! Thank you for sharing your art and talent at Potpourri Friday!
What an adorable gift idea and a great way to use basil!
I’m going to make this today before my basil gives up with the cool snap we’re having! What a wonderful idea and thank you so much for sharing it!
How would you do it if you don’t have a food processor? Could I just use the pulse button on my blender? I would love to make some, it sounds fabulous and a great way to use basil since I’m not a pesto fan.
blessings
~*~