Uses for Basil Past its Prime?

October 21, 2022 3:11 PM

I have a basil plant that is full of leaves that have become bitter with time (the plant has been flowering for awhile now). Oddly, given how common this is, I can't find any recipes that lean into the slight bitterness of old basil. Surely it must serve some uses? Curious if anyone here has recipes that work well for basil that is well past its prime.
posted by coffeecat to Food & Drink (3 answers total)

Butter?
posted by Dashy at 4:11 PM on October 21, 2022

Best answer: Sounds like ripped leaves would be amazing in a gin & tonic, or possibly try infusing some in gin.

One of those pasta sauces with lemon and sardines (like, instead of the kale leaves in this one)?
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:39 PM on October 21, 2022 [4 favorites]

Maybe in a stir fry with beef? Or substitute the betel leaf in this recipe for bo la lat with basil leaf.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 5:44 PM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]