Sweet, delicate and fragrant, basil is a versatile herb that can add flavor and personality to any dish. Whether you’re making basil chicken, basil pasta, basil shrimp, or another basil recipe, you’ll find this fresh and delicate herb is a great one to have in your spice rack.

Ready to start experimenting with basil? Here are eight recipes to try.

California BLT with Avocado and Basil Mayonnaise

If you’re tired of the same old sandwich, this BLT from TheKitchn.com makes the perfect lunch. Best of all, it will only take a few minutes to make. All you need is the following ingredients:

• 3 slices of bacon
• 2 slices of bread (white bread would be best, but you can use whole wheat if you prefer)
• 1 tomato
• ½ a ripe avocado
• Lettuce of your choice
• Basil Mayonnaise (recipe follows)

For the basil mayo, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup packed basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 medium garlic clove, chopped
• Zest of one lemon
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

First place the mayo in a bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and basil to a food processor or blender. Process until all the ingredients are finely chopped and smooth. There will be some leaves that will stay fairly chunky and that’s okay. Then combine the basil mixture with your mayo and you’ve got yourself a basil mayonnaise!

After you have your basil mayonnaise ready, spread on the bread and assemble the sandwich with the avocado, bacon, tomato and lettuce. Enjoy!

To better conserve the basil mayonnaise, make sure to store it in the refrigerator. It will last you about a week.

Marinated Grilled Shrimp

This Marinated Grilled Shrimp Recipe from AllRecipes.com is perfect for crustacean lovers. It uses the rich taste of basil to creates a tasty marinate for the shrimp—you won’t even need a cocktail sauce after this.

Here’s what you’ll need

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Skewers

Once you have your ingredients, mix together the olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar, and garlic in a large bowl. Season this mixture with salt, cayenne pepper, and our main ingredient: basil. Once the mixture is ready, add in the shrimp and stir until it is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.

Next, preheat the grill for medium heat. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, piercing near the tail and the head. Make sure to lightly oil the grill grate. Cook shrimp on the preheated grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. It should get an opaque color. This recipe serves 6.

Chicken and Basil Stir Fry

This quick and easy Chicken and Basil Stir Fry recipe from MyRecipes.com incorporates sumptuous flavors of basil and cinnamon for a delicious Asian-inspired dish. It’s also very easy to make—it’s typically ready in 10 minutes or less.

You’ll need:

• 1lb of boneless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon hot chili flakes
• 2/3 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla) or soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, rinsed

Start by slicing your chicken into strips, and placing it in a non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add ginger, oil, and garlic, and cook 3-4 minutes (until chicken is no longer pink in center). Meanwhile, mix fish sauce, broth, and cornstarch in small bowl. Add to pan and cook for 1 minute. Add basil leaves and stir.

Serve with rice or quinoa on the side, and enjoy.

Steak Marinade with Basil

This Steak Marinade Recipe from MyRecipes.com is the perfect complement for grilled steak or ribs. Try it out at your next family cook out.

What you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper

Start by placing all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed until thoroughly mixed (about 30 seconds). Pour on steak (or any other meat). Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours. Once you’re ready to grill, your steak will have taken in all the marinade for a juicy and flavorful meal.

Tomato, Basil, and Fresh Mozzarella Salad

Vegetarians and salad lovers will love this tasty Tomato, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella Salad from FoodNetwork.com. It’s simple combination of ingredients and refreshing flavors make for an ideal summer side dish that’s also healthy.

Start with:

• 2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 fresh basil leaves

Slice up your tomatoes and mozzarella, and arrange it on a platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then drizzle on a little oil. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately.

American Lasagna

Ah, lasagna…comfort food at its best. This American Lasagna recipe from AllRecipes.com is easy to make, and just plain delicious. Adding basil to this recipe is a must! Just make sure to make this lasagna the day before you serve it, since allowing it to refrigerate overnight allows all the ingredients and spices to blend, giving you the tastiest lasagna you’ve ever had.

This recipe serves eight, making it the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or get-together.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 12 dry lasagna noodles
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Start by browning the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Then drain the fat, mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, salt, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Let it simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat over to 375 degrees F. Boil lasagna noodles for 5 to 8 minutes or until al dente. Once done, drain and lay the noodles flat on towels and blot dry.

Meanwhile, mix together the eggs, the cheeses, parsley and salt in a large bowl.

Layer the lasagna as follows in a 9×13 baking dish: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce. Repeat and top with remaining noodles and sauce.

Bake for 30 minutes and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Basil Pesto

This Basil Pesto recipe from SimplyRecipes.com is a great complement to pasta, fish, or chicken. According to the website, “Note that pesto is always made to taste, based on the ingredients at hand. So adjust the ingredients to your taste.”

Start with the following ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine the basil, garlic, and nuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place in serving bowl and add in the cheese. Your basil pesto is done!

Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Now, you didn’t think we would give you eight recipes and not mention pizza, did you? This Pizza With Fresh Tomatoes and Basil from FoodNetwork.com is a healthy alternative to pizza delivery.

Start with:

• 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
• 2 (8-ounce) pieces of homemade or purchased pizza dough, recipe follows
• 6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/3 cups, grated pasteurized mozzarella
• 2 Roma tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 large garlic clove, minced, optional
• 6 fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Once you have your pizza dough ready (view pizza dough recipe here), drizzle with olive oil and top with cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Bake in a preheated 450-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until crust is golden and crispy. Enjoy!

As you can see, basil is such a versatile herb. From salads, to sandwiches to pastas and pizza, it will never disappoint your taste buds.