How to Make & Use Basil-Mint Oil

In India, we love to make basil and mint chutney, which involves blending the leaves together with water, salt, green chillies, and lemon juice. The antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that these wonderful herbs bestow are a blessing, in addition to their fabulous taste.

But recently, I discovered the pleasure of making herb-flavored vegetable oil. It’s ready in a jiffy, and does wonders in enhancing the flavor and nutritional benefits of everyday food.

Here is the recipe:

3 cups mint leaves
1 cup basil leaves
1 ½ cups canola oil
Coarse salt to taste
1 or 2 green chillies (optional)

Clean, wash, and finely chop the leaves. Blanch them in rapidly boiling water for about 20 seconds, and immerse into an ice bath.

Blend them with the green chillies and oil in a blender. Strain through a cheesecloth and pour the herbalicious oil into a clean glass jar.

Tip: Don’t discard the herb solids: you can add them to stew or soup for extra flavor. I tossed them into a bowl of freshly cooked basmati rice, and was rewarded with a divine aroma.

5 exciting ways to use this oil

• Toss cooked pasta in this oil, along with finely chopped garlic and salt. Simple and delicious!
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a pan and stir-fry vegetables in it.
• Drizzle it over grilled tomatoes and soups.
• Instead of the usual rosemary sprigs, try roasting potatoes tossed in this minty oil.
• Fill baked mushroom caps with this oil, minced garlic, and season to taste.

Read more: All recipes, Diet & Nutrition, Food, General Health, Health, basil, mint, oil

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Fred H.

4:25AM PST on Dec 10, 2012

Thank you, Shubhra, for Sharing this!

December 10
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susan k.

5:44AM PST on Dec 2, 2012

This looks great thanks .I'll use olive oil instead I don't use canola .

December 2
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Susan L.

6:37PM PST on Dec 1, 2012

very nice

December 1
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Penny A.

4:05PM PST on Dec 1, 2012

Nice,thanks.

Angela J.

10:55AM PST on Nov 30, 2012

Mmmmmm,,,,sounds delicious!!!

November 30
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Jenna B.

9:27PM PST on Nov 29, 2012

Awesome I already grow basil and mint

November 29
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Eternal G.

4:09PM PST on Nov 29, 2012

Very nice.

Siti R.

3:14AM PST on Nov 29, 2012

thanks, sounds simple and interesting! will try~

Setare A.

1:13AM PST on Nov 29, 2012

thanks

Well i believe that we may just wash these vegetables and let be Dry completely then without chopping them. pour oliva oil....or grape seed oil...is very useful.

Marianne B.

9:11PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Yum. I'll use EV olive oil instead, though.