Cutting Fresh Basil
Homegrown basil is a wonderful addition to recipes and can be used as a pretty garnish, too. But chopping one leaf at a time can be tedious. To quickly chop a lot of basil and end up with attractive results, create basil chiffonade, which is just a fancy term for thin shredded strips. Before cutting basil chiffonade, sprinkle a few drops of vegetable oil on the leaves and gently rub to evenly coat the leaves. This will prevent them from darkening. Stack several basil leaves and roll them into a tight tube. Slice the leaves widthwise into narrow pieces to create long thin strips. If you'd like smaller pieces, simply chop the strips. This cutting method works well with other leafy herbs, such as sage, to quickly enhance the appearance of your dishes.