I picked a lot of Basil this year from 2 plants. I noticed that if I pinch off the tops of my plants it will grow 2 tops where it had 1 top before. If the plant has 20 tops and I pinch them all off in about 3 weeks it has 40 tops that are ready to pinch again. If I pinch them again they double again to 80 tops, then 160 tops then 320 tops. It turns the plant into a 3 foot diameter bush. I saved all the tops. Then in the fall I picked all the tops. I dried the basil for about 4 weeks then ground it in the food processor and filled an large empty Quaker Oat container with ground basil.
I have been wondering how to use all this basil. These cold winter days I have been making some great tomato basil soup. I can of Campbells Tomato soup, 1 tablespoon dried ground basil, 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper, salt and pepper to taste.