Comments on Basil from my fb buddies...

I have some feisty friends and wanted to share their responses about their favorite use of Basil:

"Rathbone"
"A leaf under each armpit"
"My rabbit loves it :-)"

 My culinary friends truly enjoyed sharing their Basil loves:

Caprese Salad *

Tomato Pasta Sauce
Fresh Veggie pink Vodka Sauce

Pesto using Grana Padana Cheese

Tomato Basil Soup **

* Caprese Salad, aka Insalata Caprese, combines the simple flavors of mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and basil with a drizzles of olive oil and salt. 

** LL's Tomato Basil Cream Soup Recipe

• 4 c. canned whole tomatoes: crushed (maybe a 28 or 32 oz. can)
•  4 c. tomato juice or a mix of juice/vegetable or other stock
• 12-14 basil fresh leaves
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1/4 lb butter
• cracked black pepper
• salt to taste

Combine crushed tomatoes (I squeeze them in my hands to crush) and juice/stock in a saucepan, simmer for 30 min. Puree in smaller batches with basil leaves in a blender/food processor. Return to pan adding cream, butter, salt and pepper. Simmer another 15 minutes or so over low heat. Yummy with french bread! Sometimes I saute the onions and blend them in too. Enjoy!