Thursday, April 3, 2014

How To Store Fresh Basil...For A Month

Are you ready for a life changing tip?  You're gonna think of me every time you buy basil at the grocery store (for an ungodly amount), and then it's actually still good when you go to use it.  A MONTH LATER.  Uh huh.  I'm about to tell you how to store fresh basil for up to a month. Or more.


Okay, so you buy your typical bunch of basil in one of those clam shell containers.
You bring it home, throw it in the fridge, and when you go to use it, all the leaves are black. 
Or wilted, slimy and gross.
Or maybe you've tried putting it in water, either in the fridge or on the counter.
Sometimes it works for a day or two, and sometimes it immediately turns into a limp, shriveled up mess.

Here I come to save the daaay...
(said in my best Mighty Mouse voice)


Okay, follow closely, this is a tough one.
Take your basil out of the package it came in.
Cut the stems.
Plop them down in a glass of water.
(Or a vase if you're feelin' fancy.)
Grab a plastic bag.
(I used a produce bag from the grocery store.)
Put it over the top of your glass and tuck the opening under the bottom.
Make it a happy little greenhouse.
Set it on the counter.
Voila.  
You're done.


So how long ago do you think I bought the basil in these pictures?
I'll give ya hint:  It wasn't yesterday.


I bought it on March 8th.
I took these photos on March 18th.
That's ten days.
I was super impressed with ten days.


Then I was super impressed with 2 weeks.


Then 3 weeks.



As I type this, it's the 9th of April.
I used the last stem of this same basil last night for dinner.
That's a month, kids!
And it would have kept on goin', had I not needed it for dinner.
So there ya go.
The ONLY way to store your fresh basil from now on.



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11 comments:

  1. That is pure brilliant friend! It is like the coolest science experiment for folks in the kitchen! I am all over this one! Pinning it now and I am off to read your other posts that I missed!!!! Nicole xoxo

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  2. That is awesome!! I've really never thought about it. It kills me when I have to BUY basil!!!

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  3. Truly ingenious! I read recently that basil loves to be watered but now I see that it is truly hydroponic! That will definitely save some cash.

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  4. You are so smart! I love me some basil. I always say I'd wear basil perfume if they made it. Chris said it would keep him away. I said don't tempt me to find some!

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  5. Genius my friend!! And for some weird reason comments are not coming through to my e-mail. I only get them through blogger. So damn weird and annoying! BUT wanted to say thank you for the last one you left on my diabetes post xo

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  6. This is a great idea--I'll have to try it out!

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  7. Very cool! I usually make pesto and freeze it, so it's good to know this will work if I can't get to it right away.

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  8. Wow. One month you say? Mine barely last a week. I need to try this!

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  9. Your yard looks great and that is a wonderful hint about the basil. Crazy! xo Diana

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  10. Trying this at this moment. I'll keep ya posted.

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