If you've been here a while, you know I love basil. If you are new (hello!), I love basil so much I named our dachshund Basil. Fresh basil is my favorite thing to have in a vase in the kitchen, growing in my garden, as a lingering scent on my hands.
Yep, even though it's already winter out there, in my kitchen I'm still acting like it's summer. Strawberries and fresh basil. Always a perfect pairing in my opinion, and this is one I have been wanting to do for a while.
Bird's eye shot of my Vita Mix. See, told you she's an Old Lady Vita. Look at that old school handle. I bought this in college and I keep saying I should stop bragging that I've used it with no problems for ... um ... many years. Don't want to jinx her.
Don't think I will.
Anyway, between the few minutes of chopping the berries and chiffonading the larger basil leaves and the ten seconds of blending, this "recipe" comes together quick. Well. Then there's a couple hours of dehydrating.
I really wanted to tip this tray on it's side and drink it. So good. Glad I waited though, because the fruit rolls are even better!
strawberry basil fruit rolls
gluten free, vegan, no added sugar
2 quarts fresh strawberries
1 large bunch (1 cup) fresh basil leavesΒ
Blend in high powered blender until smooth. Pour onto solid sheet for dehydrator, spread to a Β½ inch thickness (thinner might rip or crack). Dehydrate at 130 for 3-4 hours. Alternately, you can pour into plastic wrap on a baking sheet, place in oven on 120 with door open for... several more hours.
These taste amazing! They have the fruity sweet flavor of the strawberries, and the basil is strong in the best way possible.
Are you a basil fan? How about a Basil fan?Β Β π
Do you like fruit rolls? Favorite flavor?
Nichole says
I can do this! I can do this! I had a crappy strawberry roll up yesterday from a local Whole Foods store, how did you know I was disappointed?
This is awesome:)
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I love basil AND BASIL. π
I am so in love with making stuff in my food dehydrator and will have to make this! The last fruit rolls I made were pumpkin pie, which were okay. But, as I've said before, watermelon is the best. I tried cantaloupe once and it did NOT work.
Barbara says
wow, I can't wait for summer. beautiful pics too
The Sweetest Vegan says
Hey, these look so good. Strawberry and Basil sound so fresh together.
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe says
GREAT idea. I completely understand your basil lust. I love it when the smell of it gets all over my hands and I smell like basil for hours.
spabettie says
right?! me too. LOVE that smell.
meg says
I need to start growing fresh herbs in my kitchen, it would be so simple! I do love basil. It has such a unique flavor. I especially love that you named your dog Basil! It is so fitting for him.
spabettie says
it DOES just fit him. such a cute little Basil π
Curt says
Awesome idea. I'll bet they're delicious. I would have to go with the oven method. I've found dehydrators to be a tough cleanup. But maybe that's just me.
spabettie says
so far mine has been easy, even when I did watermelon (I thought that would be a big sticky mess!). but oven should work??
Rollins says
cant wait for summer...
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
Fruit leather was one of my favorite snacks as a kid, I haven't had it in ages! I love the combo of flavors you used, mmmm....basil. π I really need to get a dehydrator - there are too many recipes I am missing out on without one. I actually just sent my parents an email to see if they still have one (so I can "borrow" it).
spabettie says
seriously - I love the basil flavor. I kept tasting the blender concoction and adding more, I wanted to taste it! π I have been wanting a dehydrator for so long, and I am loving that I finally got one! I hope your parents still have one you can borrow! π
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Before I even read the "wanting to tip this on it's side and drink it" part I was totally thinking the same thing. I don't think the mixture would've made it out of the blender! Strawbs + basil...such a good combo!
spabettie says
yep. glad I was able to stop myself, though, because these turned out AWESOME. and there WAS some leftover in the blender... π
Geanna says
These look delicious! Who would have thought that strawberry and basil would be complimentary flavors? I have to try this!
spabettie says
yep - they are SO good together! enjoy!!