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Many people know such a spicy herb as basil. It is used to prepare various sauces, preparations for the winter, and as a seasoning for various dishes. But you can also make compote from the grass, even prepare it for the winter. The benefits and harms of basil compote are known to few people, and even fewer housewives know what recipes there are for preparing such preparations.
Benefits of basil compote
All the properties of basil compote, especially with the addition of lemon, and its benefits are determined by the content of essential oils in it.
Benefits of basil compote:
- has antimicrobial properties;
- has a calming effect;
- has anti-inflammatory properties;
- fights stomatitis;
- useful for people who suffer from increased gas formation and diarrhea;
- fights insomnia;
- relieves stress.
All these properties help the body and strengthen the immune system. At the same time, it is useful to use herbal compote for acute respiratory infections and various stressful situations.
Who should not compote with basil?
But there are also groups of people for whom basil compote is contraindicated or for whom drinking should be limited.
First of all, these are people suffering from constipation, since the tannins in basil compote help strengthen the stool. And also, people with allergies to basil should not drink this compote. If a person is allergic, but the reaction to basil has not been studied, then it is necessary to take the drink in small quantities first and, in case of any manifestation of an allergic reaction, exclude it from the diet.
Also, pregnant women should not drink compote, since basil can increase the tone of the uterus, which can lead to dangerous consequences for pregnancy. If you have the problems listed above, then you should not drink compote or you should consult your doctor about the permitted amount of drink per day.
Recipes for basil compote for the winter
Compote can be prepared for the winter and use spicy herbs. Additional ingredients may include apples, lemons, as well as apricots and other fruits.
It is optimal to use purple leaves for the preparation. They give the compote a beautiful color. If you use green leaves in combination with citric acid, the drink will also have a pleasant hue.
Basil and lemon compote for the winter
The recipe for basil and lemon compote is very simple, and the ingredients for it are also simple:
- purple basil - 90 g;
- green basil - 50 g;
- large lemon - 1 piece;
- 280 g sugar;
- 3 liters of water.
The preparation steps are accessible even to novice housewives:
- Wash the leaves of both varieties of basil thoroughly.
- Divide the lemon into two halves.
- Then cut the lemon into small pieces.
- Boil water in a large saucepan.
- Add basil, after 5 minutes add lemon and sugar.
- Cook the compote for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and leave it for 20 minutes.
- Strain the drink through cheesecloth.
- Bring the drink to a boil.
Immediately after boiling, pour the compote into washed and sterilized jars and immediately cover with lids. Roll up hermetically and wrap in a blanket so that the drink cools slowly. Only after a day or two can the workpiece be placed in the cellar for permanent storage.
Apple compote with basil
To prepare a classic apple drink with the addition of basil you will need:
- 1.5 kg apples;
- a sprig of basil, more can be added to the hostess’ taste;
- 350 g granulated sugar.
The recipe for this refreshing drink is simple:
- Cut the apples into large slices, cut out the seeds.
- Place in jars and sprinkle with sugar.
- Add basil.
- Pour hot water into the jars.
- Then place the jars in a pan and sterilize for 15–20 minutes.
After sterilization, immediately roll up the workpiece and turn it over, and cover it with a warm blanket. So it should stand for a day, after which it can be lowered Into the basement.
Basil compote with citric acid
Apple compote with basil is especially tasty if you add a little citric acid. The drink will be refreshing and with a pleasant sourness. Ingredients:
- 120 g purple basil;
- 4 apples;
- 2/3 teaspoons citric acid;
- 220 g granulated sugar;
- 2.8 liters of drinking water.
It’s easy to prepare a refreshing drink using this recipe:
- Boil water and put basil in it.
- Wash the apples, cut into large pieces, put in jars.
- Boil the basil for 10 minutes and remove from the water.
- Pour the liquid into jars.
- After 15 minutes, drain and put on fire.
- When the liquid boils, you need to add sugar and citric acid.
- Cook for 5 minutes and pour the apples into the jars again.
Now you can roll up the cans and wrap them in a warm blanket. In this way, the tightness is checked and the jars slowly cool, which will further increase the shelf life.
Basil and apricot compote recipe
To prepare an apricot drink, you only need half a kilo of apricots with pits. The result will be a very aromatic drink, and exotic lovers will drink it with pleasure. Ingredients:
- green basil - 3 sprigs;
- 1 lemon;
- 2 liters of water;
- half a kilo of apricot with pit;
- 180 g granulated sugar.
The recipe doesn't seem complicated:
- Wash the apricots and basil leaves, place in a saucepan and add water.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemon and put the yellow part of the citrus into the water.
- Cook after boiling over low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Infuse and cool the compote.
- Strain the drink.
- Add granulated sugar.
- Boil and pour into bottles while boiling.
Roll up and store. Suitable not only for everyday use, but also for the holiday table.
Gooseberry compote with basil for the winter
Delicious gooseberry compote with the addition of basil will perfectly refresh and vitaminize. Components for such a workpiece:
- 1 kg gooseberries;
- liter jar of red currants;
- 2 cups sugar;
- about a dozen grass leaves.
Instructions for preparing a delicious preparation:
- Prepare syrup from one and a half liters of water and two glasses of sugar.
- Place the leaves and all the berries in a three-liter jar.
- Pour boiling syrup over the contents of the jar.
- Place for sterilization for half an hour.
- After this, remove the cans and seal them hermetically.
After cooling for a day in a warm blanket, send the compote to the basement or cellar.
Pear compote with basil for the winter
Herbs are also added to the pear drink, which gives the drink a pleasant aroma and unusual taste.
For the drink you will need:
- lemon catnip - 3 sprigs;
- 3 sprigs of lemon balm and basil;
- 400 g pears;
- 5 large spoons of sugar;
- a pinch of citric acid;
- 3 liters of water.
Cooking recipe in step-by-step instructions:
- Boil water and add pears, cut into large slices, and sugar.
- After 15 minutes, add all the necessary herbs and citric acid.
- Cook for another 5 minutes over low heat and pour into jars while boiling.
- Seal with pre-treated lids using a can opener.
Compote of pears and basil will pleasantly surprise all family members. This is an extraordinary drink both in taste and aroma.
Cherry and basil compote
For a cherry recipe using aromatic herbs, you will need very few berries. The ingredients for the refreshing drink are:
- teaspoon of citric acid;
- bunch of basil;
- 2 cups cherries;
- 2 cups granulated sugar.
The recipe is simple:
- It is necessary to throw greens and berries into the jar.
- Pour boiling water over and let stand.
- Drain the liquid, add sugar and citric acid.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Pour the contents of the jar and immediately seal it tightly.
The product will have a pleasant color and an unusual, amazing taste. Moreover, the benefits of such preparation in winter are unusually high due to the essential oils of basil. This compote has antiviral properties and helps fight colds.
Terms and conditions of storage
If all the conditions for proper preservation are met, the drink can last for 5–6 months. It is important that it is closed hermetically and no air gets inside. The cleanliness and sterility of utensils, both cans and lids, is also of great importance.
As for storage conditions, it is important that sunlight does not penetrate into a room such as a cellar or basement. It provokes pathological processes in the preparations, and therefore all preparations for the winter should be stored in dark places. The temperature should not rise above +18 °C. And in winter, the cellar or other storage place should not freeze and the temperature should not fall below zero.
High humidity and especially mold are also contraindicated.
For those who want to store such a product in an apartment, an insulated balcony with a dark cabinet, as well as an unheated storage room with an acceptable temperature in winter, are perfect.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of basil compote are based on numerous components that are part of the herb itself and additional compote ingredients. These are vitamins, minerals, essential oils, tannins, numerous macro and microelements. This preparation will perfectly tone up the whole body and help overcome illness and weakness during the cold season. The antiviral effect will help cope with colds.
