Though pesto has oomph, its lusciousness remains approachable.
It accompanies pasta well, coating each strand with its awesomeness.
In its expansive way, it will pair with many different pasta forms.
At first it shyly plays its role as a garnish for soups.
Then with an encouraging nudge by a spoon, it snuggles up to everything else in the bowl.
Pesto enhances omelettes as well does a dollop on hard-boiled eggs.
French bread finds its soulmate when it meets up with pesto.
Why this flurry of pesto dishes? There was one remaining freezer container with last season's harvest. One way to preserve basil is by processing the leaves with olive oil, then freezing it in suitable containers. Defrost, add garlic, Parmesan, and my preference, walnuts and...
Presto, you got pesto!
This time I did not add the full amount of olive oil I usually do, but instead relied on the small amount used in preparing the basil for freezing. This thicker version went better with the non-pasta dishes.
This season's impending basil harvest may look unassuming, but through time its delectable charm will develop.
In the potager, steady spring rains--fairly unusual here--has kept everything happily moist, the hose curled up, and the rain-harvesting tank nicely filled.
Cottage pinks, which would be my desert island flower choice, are prominent in the garden at the moment. Pinks can be white, all tints of red, and yellow, and their distinctive edges have given pinking shears its name.
One of my favourite varieties has pale-pink, double blooms tinged with yellow.
Pinks readily propagate by cuttings and by seeds if you can locate a nursery source. Their stalwart, silvered foliage is evergreen, making it an all-year-round ground cover and edging plant. There are many different varieties, some with delicate coloured fringes/centres and strong fragrance.
Dayo's return to the garden was short lived as his paw injury once again became worrying. He will be confined inside the house for several weeks.
He has a chance to catch up on his sleep. At least that is what I tell him, especially when he stares forlornly through closed windows.
À la prochaine!
RELATED POSTS
How to make chicken soup
How to make pesto and preserve basil
How to make herb/garlic rolls for freezing
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| Fulsome, but never standoffish |
It accompanies pasta well, coating each strand with its awesomeness.
 |
| Linguine & pesto |
In its expansive way, it will pair with many different pasta forms.
 |
| Corkscrew pasta & pesto |
At first it shyly plays its role as a garnish for soups.
Then with an encouraging nudge by a spoon, it snuggles up to everything else in the bowl.
 |
| Chicken soup & pesto |
Pesto enhances omelettes as well does a dollop on hard-boiled eggs.
French bread finds its soulmate when it meets up with pesto.
Why this flurry of pesto dishes? There was one remaining freezer container with last season's harvest. One way to preserve basil is by processing the leaves with olive oil, then freezing it in suitable containers. Defrost, add garlic, Parmesan, and my preference, walnuts and...
Presto, you got pesto!
This time I did not add the full amount of olive oil I usually do, but instead relied on the small amount used in preparing the basil for freezing. This thicker version went better with the non-pasta dishes.
This season's impending basil harvest may look unassuming, but through time its delectable charm will develop.
In the potager, steady spring rains--fairly unusual here--has kept everything happily moist, the hose curled up, and the rain-harvesting tank nicely filled.
 |
| Peas in the centre are pleased with the cool rain, but not the strawberries on the middle left |
Cottage pinks, which would be my desert island flower choice, are prominent in the garden at the moment. Pinks can be white, all tints of red, and yellow, and their distinctive edges have given pinking shears its name.
 |
| Red 'pinks' on the left and the fabled Mrs. Sinkins with its intoxicating fragrance in the right background. |
One of my favourite varieties has pale-pink, double blooms tinged with yellow.
 |
| Cottage pinks cover the knobby knees of roses very well. |
Pinks readily propagate by cuttings and by seeds if you can locate a nursery source. Their stalwart, silvered foliage is evergreen, making it an all-year-round ground cover and edging plant. There are many different varieties, some with delicate coloured fringes/centres and strong fragrance.
Dayo's return to the garden was short lived as his paw injury once again became worrying. He will be confined inside the house for several weeks.
He has a chance to catch up on his sleep. At least that is what I tell him, especially when he stares forlornly through closed windows.
À la prochaine!
RELATED POSTS
How to make chicken soup
How to make pesto and preserve basil
How to make herb/garlic rolls for freezing
Poor Dayo, can he wear protective socks?
ReplyDeleteI love pesto too! Coincidentally, I have a bunch of Thai basil languishing in the fridge. I'm going to experiment with that...perhaps serve over noodles in some sort of stir fry fusion?
Hmmmm, that's an idea but it would have to be cleverly designed socks that only we could take off. Yay for fusion cooking!
DeleteMichelle, I've never grown basil plants from seed. I'm tired of buying the seedlings, because each plant doesn't yield all that much before it goes to seed. Should I try buying basil seed online? Any tips? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is not to late to sow for a late summer crop. Basil can be easily sowed outdoors in pots/soil once it is warm enough. I started my basil around 4 weeks ago in a incubator. But I will sow outdoors soon for a second crop because as you said, they go to seed fast.
DeleteThis post describes the basic approach to growing basil, including the heavy pinching needed: http://soupedupgarden.blogspot.fr/2012/08/how-to-make-fresh-basil-pestoand-tomato.html
DeleteThanks, will check it out!
ReplyDelete