Basil is available in numerous varieties.
Although it doesn’t add a lot of vitamins and nutrients to your meals, Basil is a tasty, leafy green herb that hails from Asia and Africa. Being part of the mint family, it comes in many different types. This fragrant herb is widely used as a seasoning in food, and it is also incorporated into teas and supplements that might offer various health advantages.
Basil Health Benefits
Basil is rich in various vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. A significant portion of its health advantages stems from these antioxidants and its essential oils. However, many of these beneficial compounds tend to diminish during the drying process, so it’s best to choose fresh basil whenever you can to maximize the health benefits.
The health benefits of basil include:
A reduction in oxidative stress. Basil is packed with antioxidants. Sweet basil features a compound known as eugenol, while lime and lemon basils contain limonene. These antioxidants, along with others such as anthocyanins and beta-carotene, work to combat free radicals in the body, which can otherwise cause cell damage and elevate your risk for various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Source: WebMD
Basil Shortcakes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet lightly with non-stick spray.
- Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Stir in basil.
- Blend butter into dry ingredients with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Slowly add milk, stirring to incorporate until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Drop large spoonfuls (about ½ cup each) of batter onto the baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, until biscuits are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.