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Basil is a herb that is used in most Italian dishes such as pizza and spaghetti. It is often used as a gar

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The dry patches on the Basil have mostly cleared and the plant has grown a lot taller and has more leaves than last time. The leaves have texture and are beginning to take the shape of a grown basil leaf although they are still tiny.

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The Basil is growing taller and wider. Some texture on the leaves in beginning to develop the the colour it changing too. Some dry patches are becoming noticeable

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*Pesto chicken

*Strawberry-Basil Margarita

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From Memorial Day to Labor Day, basil is constantly on hand in our kitchens. We blend it into garlicky pestos, sprinkle it over grilled pizzas, and toss whole leaves into our fresh salads. It's hard to find a summer dish that isn't improved by a handful of this bright, fragrant herb. If you're in need of a few new ideas to trim back an enormous pot or use up that second bunch you couldn't resist buying, take a look through these 10 favorite recipes for inspiration.

If you have a monster haul of basil, the top way to use it all up is definitely pesto. This blend of basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil is one of the most versatile condiments around. Tossing pesto with warm pasta is always a win, but we also love spreading it on flatbreads, adding it to potato salads, and drizzling it over grilled fish. A little pesto mixed with mayo also gives sandwiches a serious kick of flavor! If you have some left over at the end of the week, pesto will freeze beautifully for months when sweet basil is less abundant.

But if you do one thing this summer with your basil stash, try infusing it into your next cocktail. You truly can't go wrong with a batch of Strawberry-Basil Margaritas; they're a guaranteed party win. We also just love the sweet and savory two-punch combo of pairing whole leaves of basil with summer fruit - a favorite dish this time of year.

Is basil the top herb in your kitchen right now? What are your favorite ways to use it all up?

California BLT with Avocado and Basil Mayonnaise

(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)

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10 Delicious Ways to Use a Bunch of Basil

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From Memorial Day to Labor Day, basil is constantly on hand in our kitchens. We blend it into garlicky pestos, sprinkle it over grilled pizzas, and toss whole leaves into our fresh salads. It's hard to find a summer dish that isn't improved by a handful of this bright, fragrant herb.

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Christensen, E. (2013). 10 Delicious Ways to Use a Bunch of Basil â€” Recipes from The Kitchn. The Kitchn. Retrieved 18 November 2015, from http://www.thekitchn.com/10-recipes-that-use-up-a-bunch-of-basil-recipes-from-the-kitchn-192741

Examiner.com,. (2010). Herbal 101: Basil and it's medicinal, culinary and magical uses. Retrieved 18 November 2015, from http://www.examiner.com/article/herbal-101-basil-and-it-s-medicinal-culinary-and-magical-uses

Gertsch, J., Leonti, M., Raduner, S., Racz, I., Chen, J., & Xie, X. et al. (2008). Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 105(26), 9099-9104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0803601105

Offthegridnews.com,. (2015). Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Basil | Off The Grid News. Retrieved 18 November 2015, from http://www.offthegridnews.com/alternative-health/medicinal-uses-and-health-benefits-of-basil/

Rodale's Organic Life,. (2011). Basil: A Growing Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2015, from http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/basil-growing-guide

Taste.com.au,. (2015). Basil Pesto Recipe. Retrieved 18 November 2015, from http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/1904/basil+pesto

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* Have well drained soil

* Keep temperature fairly warm

* Water often in hot weather

* keep insects away

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*Do not leave in temperature below 10 degrees

*6-8 hours of sunlight per day

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Basil contains:

Vitamin A

Vitamin B

Vitamin E

Protein

Calcium

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*Basil Pesto

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Basil pesto can be used as an accompaniment to many roast dishes but it also tastes delicious stirred through a big bowl of pasta.

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The basil is no longer dry and wilted and is back to being full and bushy.

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My herb was dry and separated. The leaves were wilted and bent. There was still no texture on the leaves.

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The Basil is becoming very full and growing lots more leaves. The leaves still don't have texture but they are becoming bigger.

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Basil is mainly used as an anti-inflammatory and is also believed to help combat bowel inflammation as well as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, respiratory problems, allergies and improve breathing because of the cinnamanic acid that basil contains.

Basil is common in Italian dishes such as pizza or a garnish for spaghetti. It is one of the main components in pesto which originated in Italy.

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Although the basil plant is small it is quite full. The tiny leaves don't have any texture yet but the plant itself is growing rapidly.