Basil: A Common Herb with a Legendary Secret/ Legend and Lore, Cultivation and Culinary

Basil grows in abundance in several variations and in multiple garden beds throughout the Pixies Potager. It has been one of our favorite summer herbs as it is both delicious and fragrant and is used in so much of our cooking. However, after doing a bit of research we realized that Basil had a questionable past that we knew nothing about!
This video is about the legends, lore and downright rumors which historically swirled around the innocent basil plant and also the benefits and how to grow the herb properly... and without cursing!
We’ve also shared a few delicious recipes involving basil that will likely leave you seeking out a few homeless basil plants to adopt and tucking them in garden pots throughout your own space.
The recipes for Basil Pesto, Blueberry basil Vinegar, Blueberry Stilton Vinaigrette and peach and Basil Simple Syrup, can be found below.
Thank you for watching and please consider subscribing and liking our channel as it helps us continue to grow.

Basil Pesto
2 C. Fresh Basil
2 garlic cloves peeled
½ C. Roasted Walnuts, Pine nuts, or pecans
½ C. Fresh grated Parmesan
¼ C. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ tsp. sea salt
Place the basil and garlic in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the walnuts and pulse until they are chopped and combined with the herbs. Add Parmesan and salt. Set to process on low and drizzle in the olive oil through the feed on top of the processors lid. Scrape down the sides, taste for seasoning, place in a bowl and cover with plastic pressed down onto the mixture. Refrigerate until you are ready to use.
Quick Blueberry Basil Vinegar
2 C. fresh blueberries
1 C. Fresh Basil
1C. Organic red wine vinegar
Place all the ingredients in the pitcher of your blender and whir on low speed until roughly chopped. Pour mixture into a jar and let sit in your refrigerator until you are ready to use it. When ready, strain through a fine sieve or cheese cloth and use it in your vinaigrette.
Peach Basil Simple Syrup
The skins of 6 organic peaches
1 C. Fresh Basil
2 C. Water
2 C. Organic sugar
With a paring knife peel the skins off of peaches and set the peaches aside to be used in some other delicious creation of your choosing.
Gather all the peelings and place in a saucepan with the remainder of the ingredients. Stir the mixture periodically as it comes to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes and then remove from heat and let in steep for at least ½ hour.
Once the liquid mixture has cooled, strain it through a fine sieve or cheese cloth and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it to make lemonade or add it to sparkling water, or a mixed drink…. really, your imagination is the limit here.
Blueberry Stilton Vinaigrette
1 garlic clove micro planed
1 tsp. sea salt
Mash the two above ingredients into a puree and set aside.
1 ounce of blueberry Stilton cheese (or the Stilton of your choice)
½ C. Blueberry Basil Vinegar
½ C. Avocado oil
4 or 5 drops of Worcestershire sauce
And black pepper to taste
Combine Stilton and garlic and with a large fork.
Add the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and blend with fork. Add the oil and blend again to incorporate it.
Pour into a jar and refrigerate until ready to serve. The Pixies served it over a salad made up of a butterleaf lettuce, shaved golden beets, arugula micro greens and maple pecans.

Footage & Images
Flicking Through Book 1/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Vintage Map Pan Across to Middle East/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Cat Eye Macro/by Beachfront// courtesy of Videvo
Panning Shot of Tombstone In Graveyard In Oxford England/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Vintage Globe India/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Religious Ceremony at Night in India/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Tracking Over Prescription Drugs/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Vintage Map Pan Across to Italy/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
vintage Globe Europe/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Lightning Strikes in Slow Motion/Beachfront/Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo
Microscope Close Up 1/by Videvo/ courtesy of Videvo

Music
Gavin Luke/A Sophisticated Affair/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Traditional/Auld Lang Syne (Traditional Version)/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Stationary Sign/Behind His Lies/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Raymond Grouse/Beneath the Bushes/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Fredrik Ekstrom/Conquer The Battle 3/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Francis Wells/Dreaming of Tomorrow/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jon Bjork/Flight of the Pixies/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mike Franklyn/Mermaid Dance/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Etienne Roussel/Siren's Dance/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mike Franklyn/The Perfect Start/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Raymond Grouse/The Tales He Told/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Howard Harper-Barnes/The Wind Is Changing/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Jon Bjork/Two Imaginary Friends/ courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com