I do not blog about herbs as often as plants and vegetables in WHB. This time, I'm going forherbs in Weekend Herb Blogging (WHB) is at #107 at Kalyn's Kitchen. A common herb , fresh or dried, found in our kitchens - BASIL. There is already an abundance of knowledge and facts shared about basil, so how about some myths and folklore?
There are some ancient herbalists claimed that basil damaged the internal organs and the eyes while others argued that basil was good both as a condiment and for a variety of medical purposes. including relieving flatulence. These are just two opposing school of thoughts argued in herbal medicine through the years. Oh...most of us love basil, isn't it? We aren't going to believe anything with no scientific hardcore evidence. We will continue to like basil and use them appropriately in our dishes.
In folklore as in medicine, basil also has a reputation for both evil and good. Evil as in associated with the legendary reptile known as basilisk, whose breath and glance could kill. Good, as a symbol of love, cherished as a protection against witchcraft.
Black Pepper Basil Beef
Ingredients:
-Beef sirloin (slice and fillet against the grain)
-Handful of fresh basil
-Black pepper
Marinate:
-2tsp oyster sauce
-1tsp dark soy
-1tsp sesame oil
-1tbsp black pepper
-cornflour
-egg
Directions:
1. Marinate beef slices for at least 2hrs in the fridge.
2. Heat pan with oil at low-medium heat. Add in marinated beef and stir fry beef slices over medium-high heat till athey start to turn color
3. Add basil leaves to beef and complete cooking about 2mins
4. Dish up and serve immediately
In cooked recipes it is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the meal. In other food cultures such as in Taiwan, fresh basil leaves are added into thick soups (羹湯, pronounced geng tang). They also eat fried chicken with deep-fried basil leaves.
The Thais also use basil in stir-fries eg. in a dish like Kai Pad Bai Kaprow- Thai Basil chicken.
What are the basil flavors in this? Lemony...peppery...vanilla
Good basil flavor and fragrance, well-balanced with the black pepper marinated beef.
It's so yummy! You must try this. You don't have to get your ingredients from any specialty store.
Tag: basil beef, basil, beef
for once that meat looks exceedingly tender. Is it really ?
ReplyDeletefunny ang mo & malays love this meat but not chinaman and hindus. Us ? we sapu all esp fishy things like you !
I think it sounds just fantastic. I love basil any way you want to use it. I've been on a bit of a basil kick around here lately, making two different soups that had basil added at the end. Saving this for sure.
ReplyDeletepepper beef and basil! Yum! I would love this with a bit of rice and a bowl of steamed asian greens! :D
ReplyDeleteI bet this is so good.
ReplyDeleteI make a dish just like this in the summer when I have basil in the garden. It is sooooo delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh! That's nice. I've got loads of basil at home and am still thinking how am I going to use it...
ReplyDeleteI love using sweet basil. I also recently started buying the purple variety. It really adds something wonderful to the meal.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you stacked up the beef like a work of art.
ReplyDeletei love basil! and i think it goes very well with beef. That looks terrific... so tender...and the flavors must really go well together.
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring.....so delicious...we definitely wallop all! even lick the plate. lol!
ReplyDeleteWow it certainly looks delicious! And looks like a simple recipe to whip up too! Must try must try!!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is a winner, I can tell just from the ingredients. Have bookmarked it to make.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful - and duly bookmarked for next spring when I have basil again!
ReplyDeleteAnd lovely photos...
hmm. I learn something new again today. I usually use the lee kum kee black pepper sauce for this dish. I am so lazy..;p
ReplyDeleteI certainly did not know the history of basil, and using it to cook with beef! I must try that. For me, I usually instead of using low medium fire, use high fire to stir fry the beef (in fact, if you see how restaurants do it, there are fire inside the wok!). If the beef is fresh, I will go for medium well :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Thai green curry beef but I read the recipe and it's definitely very Chinese.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous presentations.
looks tender leh..... but i can't take beef... and i dont like basil leaf smell.... :(
ReplyDeleteI just love the way you stack your beef! :)
ReplyDeletewaloa .....nice la - can i replace this with pork ... ?
ReplyDeleteI love basil and I'm trying to start a herb garden. haiz.... have been trying for years. kakaka.....
ReplyDeleteBasil with chicken is yummy!
I love basil and your dish looks good! BTW, you got tagged!
ReplyDeleteYummy! There's just something about basil and beef that does something for me. Hotness! :)
ReplyDeletei like that kai pad bai kaprow dish because i generally like all kinds of basils. the aroma of basil is very very enticing, same as cilantro.
ReplyDeleteMy family loves black pepper beef but I used the paste from the jar. Might give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Beef AND basil.....looks positively delicious. I love all the Thai dishes you make!
ReplyDeleteThis dish sounds pretty tasty. Basil is one of my favorite herbs.
ReplyDeleteI love Basil although some people find it too strong. I tried one using it to make omelet with lots of sliced ginger. Works effectively to get rid of wind.
ReplyDeleteWah, you are in Taiwan also? Taipei ar? Going back again? Have you eaten the mala hot pot? What about stinky tofu? But just between you and me, as far as Taiwanese small eats are concerned, I think our Malaysian/Singaporean small eats better lah.
ReplyDeleteOK sorry if you are a Taiwanese...just my own personal opinion. :P
You always master the ways to cook meat!:)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Nice shoots.
ReplyDeleteoh man!! Beef...yeeeeeah!!
ReplyDeleteteam bsg, yes...very tender if not overcooked. Aiya...I sapu fishy and non-fishy things lah!
ReplyDeletekalyn, I've even deep fry them. Have you tried that before.
anh, what a perfect combi. :)
andaliman, yes indeed.
lydia, oh yes...so so true.
windy, you plant your own basil ?
nora, have not seen the purple variety. Hmmmm....
victor, thanks!
daphne, yes...basil goes far in many dishes.
bboven, too late. I've already lick off everything :P
lyrical lemongrass, yes...it's simple for the homecook.
cynthia, thanks. Let me know if you like it.
katiez, thanks. But do you have to wait till spring? :O
mandy, of course I think the LKK ready pepper sauce will be heavier in taste. This is a very light peppery version.
wilfrid, oh ye...the wok hei that I can never emulate at my own kitchen (worried my kitchen will catch fire lah!)
ming, I think the marinade makes it Chinese.
new kid on the blog, you can stir fry minced chicken with basil....but then hor...you don't like basil also hor? :P
east meets west, the pyramid beef!
sasi, hmmmm...you can try...I only tried pairing chicken with basil and it works too.
ECL, wah....herb garden...wonder if singapore climate and grow herbs or not leh..
maybe you can grow them in air-con room...Buahahahah!
little corner, wooo....another tag! THanks.
jadedone, it does for me too!
eliza, I like cilantro too!
judy, I don't have the paste leh! Mine is the lighter version of peppery.
hillary, thanks!
kevin, i like fresh and dried basil.
pea, hmmmm....food can be so "functional" too hor. :P
RM, i don't like stinky tofu- hv not tried coz hate the smell :(
i also prefer Malaysian/Singaporean small eats! buhahahhaa!
valentina, you flatter me.
retno, thanks.
jason, oh yes..I forget..your kind of meat. LOL!
Hey! I guess you know by now that I plant my own basil. I tried it last night (without oyster sauce, sesame oil, egg but with tomato). My man said he wasn't totally keen on it and I'm all right about it. I guess partly because of the meat, and maybe the basil was a bit strong for both of us... Anyway, I'm not given up on this dish yet. :)
ReplyDelete