What to Do with Excess Fresh Herbs - Basil Flavour Bombs

Plus… the Simple Tool That Gets Every Last Drop

There’s something satisfying about a thriving herb garden… until suddenly, there’s too much.

One minute you’re picking a few leaves…
Next minute, Chef Ian’s out there giving the basil a short back and sides, and now we’ve got more fresh herbs than we know what to do with.

But here’s the thing…

👉 That’s not a problem.
👉 That’s exactly how it’s meant to be.

Remember the Seasons (This Is Where It Starts)

We’ve drifted a long way from cooking with the seasons.

But when produce is in season:

• It grows better
• It tastes better
• And it’s far more affordable

Which also means…

👉 You’ll often have more than you need right now.

And instead of letting it go to waste…

👉 That’s your cue to preserve, store, and stretch it further.

A Lesson Worth Bringing Back

Chef Ian often reflects on his grandmother’s kitchen.

Nothing was wasted.

• Herbs were used or preserved
• Fruit was bottled or turned into something else
• Every ingredient had a purpose

It wasn’t about being fancy.

👉 It was about respecting the ingredient and stretching a dollar.

And maybe… it’s time we brought a bit of that thinking back into our kitchens.

1. Add everything into a blender
2. Blend until smooth and vibrant
3. Pour into silicone moulds
4. Freeze
5. Pop out and store in a ziplock bag

👉 That’s it. Ready whenever you are.

Why This Works (And Why the Right Tool Matters)

Chef Ian uses a high-powered blender to bring it all together quickly and cleanly.

• Smooth consistency
• Even blend
• No bruising of delicate herbs

👉 This is the difference between a “good idea” and something you’ll actually do every week.

A Small Tool… That Makes a Big Difference

While making the basil blend, Chef Ian also introduced one of the newest additions to the Underground Chef pantry…

👉 The Fluicer - And this one’s a keeper.

Why Chef Ian Rates It

• Two-handed squeeze
  Uses your arms, not just your grip → more power, less effort
• Maximum juice extraction
  The proof? Look at the lemon afterwards—completely spent
• Built-in control
  Strains and directs juice exactly where you want it
• Folds flat
  No bulky tools cluttering your drawers

Chef Ian’s Call

This replaces a whole drawer of older tools.

👉 If it doesn’t perform, it doesn’t stay.

And this one?

👉 Earned its spot.

How to Use Your Basil Bombs

Once frozen, these become your go-to flavour boost:

• Toss through pasta
• Finish soups
• Stir into sauces
• Add to roasted vegetables
• Melt over grilled meat or fish

👉 No prep. No waste. Just flavour when you need it.