Make the croutons . Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove crust from bread, and discard or reserve for another use. Cut loaf into 1-inch-thick slices; cut slices into 1-inch-wide strips.

Make the dough sheets . Stir together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Add 2/3 cup water; stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead dough in bowl until flour is fully incorporated.

Florence Fabricant’s simple recipe, first published in 1986, is one you can easily bust out for a taste of summer on demand.And great news for those with an especially bountiful harvest of basil ...

Preparation. Pesto Step 1. Place rack in center of oven; preheat oven to 350°. Toast ½ cup pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once halfway through, until golden brown, 5–7 minutes ...

About this recipe . This basil vinaigrette recipe is fresh and zesty, and — perhaps the best part — it takes about five minutes to make. Fragrant, gorgeously green basil takes center stage ...

Hafez al-Assad planned for his eldest son, Basil, to eventually take over as Syria's leader. But Basil was killed when he crashed his car while driving at high speed in Damascus in 1994.

8 Thai basil sprigs. Zest of 1 lemon, peeled in 3-inch strips. Zest of 1 orange, peeled in 3-inch strips. 2 bottles chilled Pinot Grigio. 3/4 cup brandy. 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, strained. Ice.