• Colour and flavour white wine vinegar a rich red/purple by steeping the vinegar with cut purple basil leaves.

• Chopped purple basil leaves add colour and contrast to salads. Looks great with yellow tomatoes.

• Give cooked cauliflower a pink tinge and basil flavour by adding chopped purple basil leaves to the cooking water.

• Colour and flavour mayonnaise or sour cream by adding a few chopped leaves and leaving overnight.

• Try using purple basil instead of traditional green basil for pesto and use as a pasta dressing or spread on toasted bread.

• Purple basil looks great as a garnish on chilled soups, like gazpacho or avocado soup.

• Add chopped purple basil to marinades for chicken and pork to flavour and colour the meats.

• Add coarsely chopped purple basil leaves to tomato soup and sauces just before serving.