Fresh basil is a welcome sign of spring and summer. You can easily grow your own, or buy bags of the fresh fragrant leaves for a mouthwatering myriad of palate-pleasing recipes. If you tend to use dried basil or simply opt for fresh parsley when a recipe calls for basil, let the following 10 ways to use fresh basil inspire you to include this distinctive herb in your savory (and even sweet) dishes.

Add fresh basil leaves to your salads

Instead of hum-drum iceberg or your usual bag of chopped romaine, add baby basil leaves to your salads. Combine spinach and basil leaves with shredded carrot, grape tomatoes, and cubes of feta or fresh mozzarella cheese and drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Make basil pesto

Puree a generous bunch of basil leaves with a handful of walnuts, a garlic clove, juice of a lemon, a cup of Parmesan, and enough extra virgin olive oil to form a sauce-like consistency. Use pesto on everything from cooked pasta and pizza to sandwiches and cooked vegetables.

Devil your eggs with basil

Add a few fresh basil leaves to your favorite devilled egg recipe for an elegant updated taste.

Bake basil into casseroles

Lasagna is the quintessential casserole in which basil is right at home. However, when any casserole recipe calls for fresh parsley or mint or oregano, substitute fresh basil leaves. You can even julienne basil leaves and mix them with baked mac and cheese. This Baked Artichokes and Coddled Eggs Nicoise features fresh basil and is especially satisfying and delicious

Garnish your meals with basil

With the many varieties of basil, you can add unique flavor and colorful eye-appeal to any of your dishes. Add purple Thai basil leaves to a plate of couscous vegetable salad. Layer thick slices of tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella cheese on a serving plate, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with cinnamon basil leaves. Place a lemon basil leaf in a glass of iced tea. You can even garnish a fruit salad with a few basil leaves.

Basil your pizza

In addition to using pesto as a sauce instead of marinara, you can always use fresh basil leaves as a topping ingredient for pizza. This White Bean Basil and Sun-dried Tomato Pizza is a family favorite on the weekends. It will be even more a favorite if you grow your own basil.

Make a basil compound butter

Compound butters or flavored butters are a sophisticated way to enrich a meal, especially when made with heady fresh herbs like basil. Simply soften a stick of butter at room temperature and then blend with chopped fresh basil, salt and fresh ground black pepper. Place butter on a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap and form into a log, wrapping tightly with the paper or plastic. Refrigerate until firm. Cut butter log crosswise and use pats of butter to garnish a baked potato, steamed vegetables, toasted bread, or roasted fish.

Make a basil-flavored vinegar

Flavored vinegars are near effortless to create and they make excellent home-warming gifts as well as welcome additions to your every day meals. Pour two cups of white wine vinegar into a large mason jar and add 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, two cloves of garlic, and the sliced peel of an orange. Place vinegar in a dark, cool place for two weeks to allow the flavors to develop and blend. When ready to use, strain vinegar through a sieve and store in a cruet or a clean mason jar. Use to make salad dressings, marinades, or drizzle lightly on vegetables, chicken, or fish.

Add basil to your desserts

Fruit desserts are delish in the summer and tend to be healthier than heavier flour and sugar-based goodies. Make a lively fruit salad with melon balls, strawberries, and blueberries and toss with lemon juice and finely chopped basil leaves (start with one or two chopped leaves and add one or two more if you want a stronger basil flavor). Basil can also be baked into cookies and cakes and even used to enliven ice cream.

Make a basil mojito

Try this minty mojito recipe but substitute fresh basil leaves for the fresh sprigs of mint