What can I use instead of Thai eggplant?

Table of Contents:

1. What can I use instead of Thai eggplant?
2. Can I use eggplant instead of Thai eggplant?
3. Can I freeze Thai eggplant?
4. Is there a difference between Thai basil and regular basil?
5. What's the difference between Thai basil and normal basil?
6. Can you root Thai basil in water?
7. Does Thai basil need a lot of water?
8. How long does it take for Thai basil cuttings to root?
9. Should I let Thai basil flower?
10. Does Thai basil come back every year?
11. Why is my Thai basil dying?
12. Should I deadhead Thai basil?
13. Why is my Thai basil flowering?
14. Does Thai basil need full sun?
15. What can I do with too much Thai basil?
16. Is Thai basil OK for pesto?
17. Can I dry Thai basil?
18. Is Thai basil same as Tulsi?
19. Can I use Tulsi instead of basil in Thai curry?
20. What are the health benefits of Thai basil?
21. What is Thai basil called?
22. Can I use Thai basil on pizza?
23. Can you use Thai basil in Italian cooking?
24. Why is Thai basil called holy basil?

What can I use instead of Thai eggplant?

You can use Mediterranean-style (purple) aubergine instead of the green Thai ones in most dishes, as long as it's not one that uses them raw. You'll lose the authentic bitterness but the texture is similar. Kale and spring greens can be cooked the same way as morning glory.

Can I use eggplant instead of Thai eggplant?

1 Answer. The Chinese eggplant will have a thinner skin, less seeds (read: less bitterness); as a result, it will have an overall more delicate flavor. You can substitute a globe eggplant (the kind usually sold in American grocery stores) equally; just be aware you'll get extra "eggplant" flavor.

Can I freeze Thai eggplant?

Just pierce the eggplant with a fork and roast the whole thing at 400° until it starts to collapse. After it has cooled, cut the eggplant and scoop the purée into freezer-safe bags. Label with the date and freeze up to eight months. When you're ready to use the eggplant, use frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.

Is there a difference between Thai basil and regular basil?

The main difference between Thai basil and holy basil is their flavor. Thai basil has a sweet, anise quality whereas holy basil is found to be spicy and peppery.

What's the difference between Thai basil and normal basil?

Thai basil has purple stems, and its leaves are narrower and perkier than its Italian cousin. Bury your nose in a bunch of Thai basil and you'll smell anise, not pesto. Flavorwise, it's spicier and bolder, too.

Can you root Thai basil in water?

It's easy to root basil cuttings in water or potting mix. Expect the cuttings to root in two to four weeks.

Does Thai basil need a lot of water?

Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Water weekly but keep the water off the leaves; water from the base. Over-watering will cause the leaves to yellow and drop, and under-watering will make flowers and buds suffer, so it is important to attain a balance when watering Thai basil.

How long does it take for Thai basil cuttings to root?

Propagating the Cutting Keep it away from direct sunlight and be sure to change the water every other day. After two to three weeks, the cutting will grow a well-developed root system. At this point, it will be ready to be moved to a pot so that it can grow as a plant.

Should I let Thai basil flower?

Basil loves hot weather, and if your plants are flourishing, it's time to prune (and harvest). ... If the flower stems are too woody to pinch (often the case with Thai basil), cut them off with shears. A plant allowed to flower will soon go to seed, stop growing, and die, so be vigilant about removing flowers.

Does Thai basil come back every year?

Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year. ... Basil plants are sensitive to cold weather and frost.

Why is my Thai basil dying?

The two most common causes of a Basil plant dying are overwatering and underwatering. Temperature stress, lighting problems, disease, or pests are also common causes of a basil plant wilting or dying. Basil plants are usually annuals, so individual plants typically only last one growing season.

Should I deadhead Thai basil?

Don't let the basil plant go to flower. You can eat those tasty basil buds! Try garnishing your salad or pasta dish with them, whole or chopped! Cutting off the flower is called deadheading, most flowers will produce more and longer blooms if you deadhead them.

Why is my Thai basil flowering?

These flowers are pretty, but they are also a sign that the plant is shutting down and going into reproduction mode — instead of growth mode, which would shoot out the necessary basil leaves for my pesto cravings. It's not a sign that you've done anything wrong, it's just part of the cycle.

Does Thai basil need full sun?

Thai basil prefers soil that is lightly moist, slightly acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate part shade.

What can I do with too much Thai basil?

Ways To Use Thai Basil Pesto My favorite way to use Thai basil pesto is as a simple, yummy sauce for rice noodles and tofu. It's also great on brown rice, and makes an incredible dipping sauce. It's pretty killer by the spoonful, too!

Is Thai basil OK for pesto?

If you love the classic flavors found in Thai food such as Thai basil, hot peppers, garlic, and ginger, you will LOVE this easy pesto.

Can I dry Thai basil?

Dehydrated Thai basil can be crumbled up and used in meals like the fresh variety. It's easier to dehydrate the entire basil stem, then pull off all the leaves when it's dry. The main stem is completely inedible and will be the last thing to dry, if the stem is the dry, everything else is dry.

Is Thai basil same as Tulsi?

Occasionally, Thai basil may be called cinnamon basil, which is its literal name in Vietnamese, but cinnamon basil typically refers to a separate cultivar. ... It is also known as Thai holy basil or by its Indian name, tulasi or tulsi; it is widely used in India for culinary, medicinal, and religious purposes.

Can I use Tulsi instead of basil in Thai curry?

Holy basil a.k.a. tulsi If you need the sweetness of Thai basil, consider combining holy basil with some sweet basil. If you decide to use holy basil as your Thai basil substitute, use the same amount that your recipe requires for the Thai herb.

What are the health benefits of Thai basil?

Thai Basil seeds are said to have antioxidants, anti-cancer properties, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Minimal scientific research has been done on basil seeds.

What is Thai basil called?

It goes by many names, ocimum tenuiflorum, kaphrao, thulasi or just holy basil. It features a spicy, peppery, clove-like taste. Ironically, this may be the basil Thai people love most. They love it so much, it is known as Thai holy basil.

Can I use Thai basil on pizza?

Thai basil is even sweeter than a Genovese basil common in the United States. ... Then I topped the cooked pizza with a mix of herbs, including Thai basil, cilantro and garlic chives and some sesame seeds. Of course, this is customizeable, so feel free to add cheese or use a different combination of herbs.

Can you use Thai basil in Italian cooking?

What is Thai basil, and can you use Italian basil in its place? ... Its leaves are sturdier and stand up to heat better than those of Italian basil, so it can be added during cooking versus as a finishing touch.

Why is Thai basil called holy basil?

The Latin name for Thai basil is Ocimum basilicum; the Latin name for holy basil is Ocimum tenuiflorum. ... The anise note is so strong and so sweet that you can eat Thai basil raw. Holy basil brings another flavor profile to the table in that it is intensely spicy, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as hot basil.