What is Asian basil called?

What is Asian basil called?

Thai basil, or horapha (Thai: โหระพา), is widely used throughout Southeast Asia and plays a prominent role in Vietnamese cuisine. It is the cultivar most often used for Asian cooking in Western kitchens. Holy basil (O.

What is basil chicken made of?

Thai basil chicken is a stir-fry dish made with finely chopped or ground chicken cooked with chile peppers, garlic, and shallots, and seasoned with a sweet and salty sauce and finished with fresh basil. It’s a classic dish in Thai cuisine and can be found in restaurants and as a popular street food.

What does Asian basil taste like?

Thai basil is of Southeast Asian origin, and is a common ingredient among the cuisines of this region. It has a slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor. In terms of appearance, Thai basil has a purple stem and small, sturdy leaves with serrated edges.

How do you make Thai basil chicken?

Whisk the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice and brown sugar together until smooth. Pour this over your chicken and allow it to marinate while you prep the rest of the meal (make the rice, slice the basil, etc). Heat a large skillet or wok to medium-high. Add the cooking oil, garlic and crushed red pepper.

Is Taiwan basil the same as Thai basil?

The variety most sold in Taiwan under the generic name jiucengta (九層塔) is closer to Thai basil than it is to sweet, but there seems to be little consensus as to whether it is, strictly speaking, Thai basil or a variety of its own.

Is Thai basil the same as basil?

What Is Thai Basil? Thai basil is a variety of basil (Ocimum basilicum) best known for its use in Asian and Thai cuisine. Unlike its cousin, Italian basil (aka Genovese basil), Thai basil has sturdy, resilient leaves that stand up well to extended cooking times and prolonged heat.

What’s the difference between basil and holy basil?

In cooking, basil is noted for its spicy, pungent aroma. Holy basil, by contrast, has a sweeter, more mellow fragrance. The leaves of both bruise easily, and will quickly release their scent when rubbed. Both varieties have a pungent, sharp taste when eaten raw, which loses some of its tartness during cooking.

Are Thai basil and basil the same?

Is Thai basil the same as Vietnamese basil?

In Thailand, Thai basil is called bai horapa, while in Vietnam, it is known as rau húng quế. Interestingly, rau hung que literally means “cinnamon mint,” though Thai basil is a true basil. This true basil is made distinct by its small leaves, smaller than its western and European counterparts.

Is Vietnamese mint the same as Thai basil?

Thai Basil (also called Asian basil): has purple stems and purple buds. Think of Thai basil as a spicier and less sweet version than the Italian cousin. Vietnamese Balm (also known as Vietnamese mint): this saw-edged, slightly fuzzy herb tastes of lemon and mint.

What do you use Thai basil for?

Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don’t wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil’s would.