Basil Lemon Syrup Recipes

LEMON BASIL SYRUP

Steps:

• Juice lemons.
• Measure out 1 1/4 cups of juice and pour it into a small saucepan. Add sugar and basil leaves.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the basil is wilted.
• Remove the pan from the stove and let it sit for an hour or two, to further infuse the basil flavor.
• Strain concentrate through a fine mesh sieve to remove basil leaves.
• This syrup can be canned for shelf stability, but the yield will only be around two cups. I prefer to funnel it into a pint jar and keep it in the fridge.
• If you want to can it, here's what to do.
• Funnel the finished syrup into a pair of clean, hot half pint jars. Wipe the rims, apply the lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes.
• When the time is up, remove the jars and set them on a folded kitchen towel to cool. When the jars have cooled enough that you can comfortably handle them, check the seals. Sealed jars can be stored at room temperature for up to a year. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used promptly.

LEMON CAKES WITH BASIL LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Make cakes:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly brush 8 muffin cups with some of melted butter and chill 2 minutes, then butter again and chill 1 minute more. Dust cups with matzo cake flour, knocking out excess.
• Beat together softened butter, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, then add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until well blended. Beat in lemon juice and 2 teaspoons zest until combined. Add flour and mix at low speed until just combined.
• Beat whites with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in another bowl with cleaned beaters until they hold soft peaks. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, beating, then beat until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir one fourth of whites into yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon batter into 8 prepared muffin cups.
• Blend remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon zest with your fingertips and sprinkle over batter, then bake until cakes are puffed, edges are golden, and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pan on a rack 15 minutes, then lift out cakes carefully (tops will break easily) and cool completely on rack.
• Make syrup:
• Bring all syrup ingredients to a boil, covered, in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, then remove lid and boil 10 minutes. Pour syrup through a sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids. Cool to room temperature.
• Assemble dessert:
• Beat cream in a bowl with cleaned beaters until it just holds stiff peaks.
• Spoon 1/4 cup syrup into each of 8 shallow bowls and top with cakes. Spoon whipped cream on top of cakes.

BASIL SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar, and basil leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes.
• Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove basil leaves; let cool.

LEMON BASIL SYRUP (FOR BEVERAGES)

Steps:

• Combine the lemons, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, add the basil, and seep for 30 minutes.
• Remove the basil and add to sparkling water or champagne to taste.

BASIL LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Let stand at room temperature, covered, 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Strain syrup thourough a sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids.

MANGO CHEESECAKE WITH BASIL LEMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Special equipment: 9-inch springform pan
• For the Mango Cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil. Finely grind the biscotti in a food processor. Add the melted butter and process until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumb mixture over the bottom (not the sides) of the prepared pan. Bake until the crust is golden, about 15 minutes. Cool the crust completely on a cooling rack.
• Blend the cream cheese and ricotta in a food processor. Add the mango puree, eggs, and sugar and pulse until the mixture is smooth.
• Pour the mango mixture over the crust in the pan. Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until the cheesecake is firm and moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack to cool for 30 minutes. Place in the refrigerator and cool completely, at least 8 hours and up to 2 days.
• For the Basil Lemon Syrup: Place the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Cool the syrup completely. In a food processor combine the basil and the cooled syrup. Pulse until the herbs are finely chopped. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
• Slice the cheesecake and place on a serving plate. Drizzle with the syrup and serve.