Basil issues

[jplwine]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I have a very pressing question. When a recipe calls for a "bunch" of basil, how many ounces are we talking about? I have looked in every cookbook I own and I have searched online and I can find the equivalent for every measurement except a "bunch". Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jplwine

[Michael in FtW]

According to this page on Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings - a small bunch is 1/2 ounce and a large bunch is 1-ounce ... so I guess a regular bunch would be about 3/4-ounce??

[suziquzie]

What are you making? We usually can't get enough basil here, I think if I read "bunch" I'd go out to the garden and clean off a whole plant!!!

[GB]

When they say a bunch they are not talking about an exact measurement. Take your best guess depending on how predominate the basil should be in the dish you are making. I would think in most cases a bunch would be a handful.

[Bilby]

To me a bunch is grab a handful but basically do it to taste. Fresh herbs can have a much stronger taste than dried and can dominate the flavours if you are not careful.

But basically it is a visual and taste thing.

[Bilby]

Oh and if you are using basil, tear the leaves, don't cut them as they bruise easily.