Produce Briefs...
Galia Melon
The Galia melon has a lightly netted golden yellow rind with a pale glacial green succulent flesh that has a signature spicy sweet flavor with tropical and perfumed aromatics.
Mache
Mache has been cultivated in France since the 17th century, and in France it is known as doucette. It is also known as "lamb's lettuce" because its leaves resemble the size and shape of a lamb's tongue.
Seasons/Availability
Thai basil is available year round.
Current Facts
This tropical variety of sweet basil provides the unusual basil flavor present in so many Thai dishes that it has come to be identified as "Thai basil", even though it can be found in Vietnamese and Laotian dishes in addition to Cambodian and Western recipes as well.
Description/Taste
Thai Basil, "Siam Queen" is a compact plant with small thin green leaves and beautiful pink and purple flower spikes on red-purple stems. It has an assertive spicy and floral sweet flavor with a licorice aroma. The leaves, flowers and stems can all be used for culinary purposes.
Applications
Thai basil should be considered a complementary element to many raw applications, including salads and crudos as well as a finishing herb/spice for hot dishes. Add chopped fresh Thai basil to tomato-based pasta sauce. Cook Thai eggplant, roast duck, bamboo shoots and pumpkin in a coconut curry broth, then stir in 1 bunch of chopped Thai basil at the end of cooking. Thai basil is delicate and should be used immediately upon purchase.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the culinary landscape, Thai basil is not just considered an herb. It is utilized as a vegetable within recipes in many types of dishes, including curries, stir-fried dishes, salads and soups. There are three types of basil commonly used in Thai cuisine: Bai horapa, Kra phao Thai holy basil and Manglak Thai lemon basil, all of which have similar but different basil qualities.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Blue Point / Coastal Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-233-6623 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| Tender Greens-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-455-9395 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| SuperNatural Sandwich | San Diego CA | 619-356-1992 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Saiko Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Lei Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-813-2272 |
| Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Donovan's Prime Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-906-4850 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Polite Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-677-3784 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Swoon Dessert Bar | San Diego CA | 619-528-0875 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Burlap | San Diego CA | 858 369 5700 |
| Gro Café | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| In House Processing | ||
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Harney Sushi Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Bee Green Diet | San Diego CA | 858-551-1104 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Casino Pauma | PAUMA VALLEY CA | 760-891-7961 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Saffron | San Diego CA | 619-574-7737 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 x14 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Thai Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.
