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grl95014
6th April 2005, 07:44 AM
I use basil in a lot of Thai recipes and Italian recipes. But how about indian food? Does anyone know indian food that incorporates basil? Thanks.

riceandbeans
6th April 2005, 08:44 PM
Check the thread for Dhabba recipes. If I am not mistaken I think there is a series of innovative dishes mentioned there that use basil. I am reading a book by Monisha Bharadwaj called The Indian Spice Kitchen and according to her Holy basil (Ocimum sactum) or Tulsi, used widely in Hindu ceremonies, grows widely in India but it is hardly used in cooking.

kavikuil
3rd February 2006, 05:32 AM
Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

Indian basil is different from the basil used in Thai/chinese cooking. From my culinary experiences , I think the thai basil is a close cousin of our 'thiruneetru pachai/thinoothi pachai' which is used for medicinal purposes. I could be wrong though.

I grew up with thirunnetru pachai leaves in the backyard and have a strong feeling that thai basil and this one are related. Even the plant looked similar.

If you search google images for 'thai basil', you'll see what I mean.