I’m sure if you have read any of my blog you realize I have a love for pasta and enjoy making up recipes that would probably be laughed at by anyone that does it well, maybe I should leave it up to the experts but I can’t help myself with trying new things or fully embracing other peoples recipes that evolve pasta.

I may have a carb addiction or maybe I should just move to a country where I fit in with my love of all things pasta who knows but todays recipe is from a great cookbook “The Essential DIY Recipes of Essential Cooking” by Essential Educators. This is a great book if you want to try using essential oils in your cooking. I’m not going to get into the debate of essential oils and ingesting them but I would love to share some benefits of basil and how in essential oil it can help. A big tip when cooking with essential oil, always, always make sure the essential oil is pure, know where they get the oil from and a little goes a long way.

In todays recipe it uses not only the essential oil but fresh so you get benefits from both.

Basil’s name is derived from “basileum” the Greek name for king and the uses can vary from the Italian women wearing basil to attract possible suitors or the Hindu people put basil sprigs on the chest of their dead to protect them from evil spirits. While in the 16th century powdered basil leaves were inhaled to treat migraines and chest infections. The medical properties are amazing, it is a powerful antispasmodic (an agent to suppresses muscle spasms) , antibacterial (and who doesn’t need that) plus it can be used on insect bits ( hello summers coming)…it is so amazing such a good tasting herb that is widely used can be so helpful. You can even use it aromatically to help fight mental fatigue and yes, defusing it really helps I have noticed it is pretty fast acting too.

This recipe is quick and with summer around the corner with all the benefits of basil its one I couldn’t help but share, I hope you like it and please let me know if you made it.

Basil-infused pasta primavera:

1lb. of Farfalle or pasta of your choice

4-6 drops Basil essential oil ( I only used 4 because a little goes a LONG way)

2 cups Fresh Broccoli Florets

1 medium Red Onion, diced

3 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 cup Fresh Spinach, coarsely chopped

1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lemon Juice per taste

Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

2 Tablespoon minced fresh Basil for topping

Boil water for pasta. Add 4-6 drops of basil essential oil to the water. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté broccoli until just tender, about 7-10 minutes.

Combine pasta, broccoli, spinach, and cherry tomatoes in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Squirt the pasta primavera with lemon juice to taste, and then top with grated parmesan cheese and minced fresh basil.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

(Thanks to Essential oils pocket reference by Life Science. I use them so often but need to give a shout out, its such a helpful book if you want to know the benefits of essential oils.)