Cooking experts - question. . .

[episodic]

1/4 cup fresh basil = how much dried basil?

 

[Brainonska511]

Quick google search led me to this:

Substitutions: 1 tsp dried basil = 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

 

[CellarDoor]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Quick google search led me to this:

Substitutions: 1 tsp dried basil = 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

beat me to it.

 

[verndewd]

Originally posted by: episodic
1/4 cup fresh basil = how much dried basil?

If I remember correctly,herbs have a 8:1 water content;just going on memory,dont quote me.I used to know all this stuff.Water content of meats and veggies etc.

the thing about fresh basil is ,its better tossed in after the cooking is done,as the flavor is far weaker cooked fresh.Imho any way.Fresh is best especially in red curry sauce ala thai food.

great in green curry too,but now i am relly going off the off topic

so to answer your question 1/4 cup basil is equivelent to around 1/8 cup dried,(heaping tblsp).Here theres two different sets of volume and how you chop or mince the herb makes a serious difference.

That is alot of basil anyway unless its a large pot of sauce or salad dressing.dried basil is strong the concentration of its flavor when dried is quite significant.

it would help to understand what you are using it for,but I will just say,flavor a little at a time and taste.dried herbs can take a while to fully release their flavor,there are methods to speed this up,but mostly the method is reliant on the recipe.

 

[totalcommand]

whatcha makin

 

[episodic]

Here is what I am making:

2 28 cans of peeled tomatoes
5 cloves garlic
1 diced onion
5 teaspoons heaping of brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 5oz can evaporated milk
2 cups chicken broth
1 can tomato paste
1/4 cup fresh basil (I'm out)



Ok - take the 2 cans tomatoes diced them in wedges
Dice the onion

reserve the tomato juice from the cans

take the wedged tomatoes and onions toss them in a flat baking dish
sprinkle with the brown sugar.

bake 45 minutes till dry and slightly brown

While that is baking add the chicken broth, the reserve of the tomatoes from the cans, the allspice, the garlic, and the tom. paste in a pot

Bring to a boil.

reduce heat an simmer

after tomatoes have roasted in oven, dump them in pot

cook 4 hours

after 4 hours of cooking

put in the evaporated milk
put in the basil

reduce heat and simmer 1 more hour

= the best tomatoe soup you've ever had.