Ideas to transform your plate and skin with the aromatic herb.
1. Freshen up your smoothies.
A member of the mint family, basil brings a bold botanical flavor to standard smoothies. Add a few leaves into your blender with fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple; yogurt or almond milk; and a dash of lemon juice. Or, save yourself the hassle and order a smoothie infused with nutrient-dense basil seeds from your Equinox Club’s Earthbar.
2. Thicken your breakfast.
Seeds of the basil plant have traditionally been used in cultures across Asia, Africa, and South America for medicinal purposes, such as treating colds, coughs, fevers, and constipation. Rich in fiber, basil seeds are also commonly added to baked goods, as well as beverages (e.g. sharbat) for their thickening and gelling properties.
Use them in place of chia seeds in “pudding”; combine basil seeds with water or milk, plus sweetener and warm spices (such as cinnamon or nutmeg) if you’d like. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes — or longer for a thicker pudding — and enjoy. Alternatively, try mixing a spoonful of basil seeds into smoothies, oatmeal, muffin batter, and bread dough.
3. Elevate your electrolyte drinks.
Muddle a few basil leaves with your sweetener of choice (think: honey, maple syrup), then combine in a shaker with a pinch of salt, lemonade or lime juice, plus pureed watermelon or berries. Add coconut water or sparkling water and garnish with fresh fruit for a hydrating electrolyte beverage after a long day of training.
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4. Blend into your butter.
Fold finely chopped basil, garlic powder, and salt into softened butter. Spread the mixture on fresh bread, serve it on top of steak or seafood, or use it to cook omelets.
5. Nourish your skin.
Thanks to its bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids, basil boasts anti-inflammatory, moisturizing properties that may support skin health. Find it in lotions, face masks, and cleansing balm.
6. Top on sandwiches.
Pop fresh leaves in a grilled cheese, chicken panini, or caprese sandwich. With a two-tablespoons serving of chopped basil, you’ll get a small dose (about 2 percent of the recommended daily allowance) of vitamin A, a nutrient involved in immune function and essential for vision.
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7. Add depth to jams.
Stir finely chopped basil into sweet homemade jams to add complexity, and incorporate basil seeds for a fiber boost. Try it with blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, rhubarb, or tomato spreads.