Basil 2026

You can make pesto with holy basil, and it’s a delicious twist on the classic Italian sauce that brings a whole new layer of flavor to your table.   Holy basil, often called tulsi, has a peppery, slightly sweet, and clove-like taste that stands apart from the sweet basil you’d normally use in pesto.   … Read more

You can make pesto with dried basil, but the results will be quite different from the classic fresh basil version.   Making pesto with dried basil is absolutely possible and can save you in a pinch when fresh herbs aren’t available.   However, you should know upfront that dried basil won’t give you that vibrant, … Read more

Yes, you can make pesto with basil that has flowered, and it’s actually a great way to rescue those late-season herbs.   If you’ve been eyeing your basil plant and noticed those little white blooms starting to appear, you might be wondering if you can make pesto with basil that has flowered without ruining the … Read more

You can make pesto with basil stems, and it’s actually a fantastic way to cut down on food waste while adding a deeper, more robust flavor to your sauce.   Most recipes tell you to pluck off those tender leaves and toss the stems, but that’s a missed opportunity.   If you’ve ever wondered whether … Read more

Yes, you can absolutely make pesto with basil paste.   Using basil paste as a shortcut is a fantastic way to get that fresh, herby flavor without the hassle of washing, drying, and picking basil leaves.   But before you swap one for the other, it’s smart to understand how basil paste differs from fresh … Read more