Purple Basil suggestions?

[Lulu76]

Yesterday in my CSA box, I got purple basil. I am not sure what to do with it. I got either two or three bunches. I like to make regular basil into pesto, but I think I would be grossed out by purple pesto.

Anyone have any suggestions? I did get lots of tomatoes, too, so maybe I should try my hand at some homemade pasta sauce. Of course, I'm not sure how to do that...

[byado18]

Caprese salad....sliced tomatoes, chopped garlic, chopped basil and balsamic dressing...yummmmmmm

[djmom]

is this the same thing as Thai basil? Cause I bought some of that and I have no idea what to do with it either.

[John LMBZ06]

Purple Basil is somewhat more intensely flavored than sweet basil and also has that wonderful color. The flavor intensity asks that you use a bit less of the purple than the green for any dishes you currently include basil in. Steeping purple basil in distilled or white wine vinegar will color the vinegar a rich reddish-purple. A member of the mint family, native to India.

This site has a bunch of recipes for it.
http://www.freshherbs.com/recipes_and_t ... asil.shtml


Here is a link to 9 more recipes for purple basil.
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?foodid=15899

If you decide to make your own tomato sauce, one hint is to not put the basil in until the last ten minutes or so.

[Lulu76]

Thanks for all the tips. I have a pasta recipe for fresh tomatoes, and I'm thinking that I might do that because it also calls for fresh basil. I'm just glad I know to use less.