Basil - how can I dry and store it for future use. What can I use it in?

[Concepta]

My husband grew a lot of Basil this year and I have never used it much before in my cooking. How can I dry and store it or will it keep in the pots if I bring them inside. In what ways could I use it in my cooking. Your advice is greatly apprecited.

use it in anything italian-ish with tomatoes in it, cooked or uncooked (ie you can cook it or eat it raw). Yum.

dry it in the airing cupboard, spread thin on kitchen towel, leaves only. crumble it up and put it in an airtight jar. not a patch on when it's fresh though.

I've never managed to store it in oil myself, always goes a bit gloopy. check on the internet though might be good advice there

Basil works really well in a pot on a window indoors. Much nicer fresh, as MTA says.

I would get some ice cube containers. Chop the basil then put some in each container, add water then freeze. Whenever you want some you then just add an ice cube .

Whizz up a big bunch in a food processor with a handful of almonds, lots of grated parmesan and enough olive oil to make it gloopy, then stir it into your spaghetti. This is my children's favourite meal, takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and is very nutritionally sound.

Thanks everyone. Googgly I must try that - it sounds nice.

I take off the leaves and just freeze them whole in a bag. When I want to use them I just crumble up the frozen leaves and add to the dish. As I never use it uncooked it works perfectly and will keep in freezer for over a year.

Thanks MatildaM, I think I will do that with two of the pots and keep the other one and use it fresh. Thanks again.