Receta Basil: like or dislike?

Welcome to Like or Dislike, where you get to share how you really feel about ingredients from the pantry, ingredients I'm thinking about adding to my pantry, other seasonal foods, and favorite cooking gear. The things you like are sure to find their way to the recipes here on The Perfect Pantry, so do tell.

Do you remember when pesto was exotic, or when caprese was not a household word? Not growing up in an Italian family, I didn't know about the basil-based paste made with garlic and pine nuts and parmesan cheese, or the salad made from fresh basil leaves, tomato and mozzarella. Once I discovered these two mainstays of Italian cuisine, there was no turning back. In my herb garden at the log house, I planted lots of basil, and I…