Showing posts with label basil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basil. Show all posts

Friday, August 29, 2008

Make Haste

Basil-Blackberry Crumble

I love basil.
I love blackberries.
So when I saw a recipe for Basil-Blackberry Crumble on The Bitten Word, I had to try it.

The recipe actually comes from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Originally a book by Barbara Kingsolver, this recipe can now be found on-line.

The recipe calls for:
Filling
2-3 apples, chopped **
2 pints of blackberries
2Tbsp Balsmic vinegar +
1 large handful of basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup honey

Preheat oven to 400. Combine the above ingredients in an oven-proof casserole dish, mix and set aside.


Topping
5 Tbsp flour
3 heaping Tbsp brown sugar
1 stick cold butter *+*

Cut butter into flour and sugar, then rub with your fingers to make a chunky, crumbly mixture. Sprinke it over the top of the fruit, bake 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

*
I used 2 Braeburn apples, mostly because that's what the store had in organic, and I thought I'd remembered they were good baked. I was right!! They baked to tender perfection, not too sweet and not too tart.

+ I forgot to add the vinegar. I may add it the next time I make this recipe and see how it tastes. But it was fabulous without it.

*+*I chose to use Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread, original whipped, instead of the butter. I was a little concerned as to how this would work, but I really wanted something lower in fat and cholesterol. It worked wonderfully. I used my hands to mix the topping and I got a lovely crumbly texture:)

Before Jack Frost has his way, and the fresh summer delights of basil and blackberries are but a memory, I will make this recipe again!!



Sunday, July 20, 2008

Summer Salad

Summer Salad Recipe

I was thinking of the luscious, fresh basil that I have growing in my garden when I came up with this recipe. I think this salad is best with a very light tasting dressing. I like the Newman's Own, Asian Sesame. I have also included a link to a dressing recipe should you want to make your own.
The ingredient list is for one serving, but you can easily use your math skills to add more servings:) Bon Apetit!!

1 cup fresh spinach leaves, washed and torn into bite size pieces
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and torn into bite size pieces
4 large fresh, ripe strawberries, washed and sliced
1/2 cup turkey breast thinly sliced or cubed
1/4 cup walnut pieces
Ginger-Sesame dressing
or Newman's Own Natural Salad Mist, Asian Sesame
or dressing of your choice

Gently toss spinach and basil leaves together. Top with the turkey breast and then the sliced strawberries. Drizzle the dressing over all. Sprinkle on the walnut pieces.
Enjoy!

The Herb, Basil

I love everything about basil: its beautiful statuesque habit of growth, the delightfully exotic sweet smell of its leaves. I discovered that besides being wonderful in recipes it has a number of other uses and some interesting folklore surrounding it.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Thyme for You


Growing Herbs in Pots
I love using fresh herbs in my cooking. Fresh herbs seem to make a dish pop with flavor in a way that dried herbs just can't quite match. I had always wanted an herb garden right outside of my kitchen. Unfortunately right outside of my kitchen door is a deck and just beyond that is a very shady area. This is not great for growing herbs which are full sun loving plants.
Not to be deterred I decided to try and grow a few herbs in pots. Despite the fact that the deck gets about 1 to 2 hours of full sun and the rest of the time only partial sun, I have been able to grow basil, thyme and mint. The plants don't get very big (a plus with mint which can take over a whole yard with its unbridled enthusiasm for growth) but they are enough to add that yummy fresh herb flavor when I want it.

I found a number of sites explaining how to grow herbs in pots. I liked this site for its brief, easy to understand instructions. http://www.gardening-guides.com/herbs/container-growing-herbs.php
This site gives a bit more detailed information.
http://www.gardenclub.net/herbsCont.htm

I prefer to buy herb plants rather than plant them from seed. I think I am successful in growing the herbs when they already have a head start.