Steve and I got home last night and each went into different parts of the garden: I attended to picking the raspberries, left neglected while we were away for the long weekend; and he cared for the vegetables. I asked him to harvest a bunch of items, like lettuce, rosemary, basil, arugula, and the one ready baby eggplant.
He brought this full colander into the kitchen (they’re perfect for harvesting, because everything can be easily washed from it), and I went to work making a pasta dish for dinner. While the pasta was cooking, I diced and chopped veggies and herbs:
- 3 garlic scapes (or you can use two garlic cloves)
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 large handful basil
- 1 baby eggplant
- 1/2 tomato (that’s all we had left, but I would have used a whole one)
I sauteed the garlic in about four tablespoons of olive oil, and after a few minutes, added the eggplant, rosemary, and basil. When the eggplant had cooked through, I added the tomato. After the pasta was done, it was drained and tossed with a bit of olive oil, and then topped with the garden topping, plus some grated parmesan.
We each also had a salad of greens and arugula topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to complete the meal, and ate outside on our deck. It was just the right meal for the heat we’ve had lately – light and summery. As I’ve mentioned before, I love eating seasonally as much as possible, and Steve and I both agreed that eating a meal primarily from our garden is the best way to do so.
What’s your favorite fresh herb to cook with?
*****
Don’t forget about the Chobani giveaway, which ends tomorrow.
Also, Amazing Grass has informed me that any of you bloggers who have not tried their products, and would like to, can email me at lisasfoods@gmail.com. If you agree to writing a review on your blog after trying Amazing Grass, they’ll send you free products to try out. It’s a great opportunity, and I know several of you commented that you’ve never tried them. (Sorry, this offer is only open to bloggers in the U.S. and Canada.)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree! I love eating seasonally…the food tastes so much better and I feel like I'm being more responsible. I love cooking with basil during the summer months…a homemade pizza seems in order!
YUM. If you saw my post from yesterday, then you know I'm loving this. I think fresh basil is one of my favorite fresh herbs.
Eating seasonally is the best! Baby eggplant, how precious.
A little fresh basil goes a long way.
You can almost smell the freshness of summer!
I love basil. Many people find them pungent but I love them in my pasta and stir-fry dishes. I use Asian basil more so than sweet basil. I never thought rosemary would go well with eggplant. I will have to try it out next time with my pasta.
Basil and dill are currently the two herbs that I love to cook with. Both are amazing!
I think that eating seasonally and locally is definitely the way to go and I can't wait to one day have my own place so that I can get my own garden started.
Reading posts like this makes me wish that I planted my own garden! Bah! Next year for sure. It's been a few years since I had one, but I completely agree that there's nothing better than eating seasonal foods from your own garden.
My favorite fresh herbs to use are definitely rosemary and basil. Mmm. Now I'm seriously craving some baked potato rounds coated in olive oil and rosemary =X
What a beuatifully delicious meal
My fav herb at the moment is thyme!!!
Probably oregano. I just love the scent, and it is such a nice addition to so many things!
Basil is a close second…and cilantro…
I adore fresh basil. It punches up soooo many meals!
It is meals like this that make me wish I had a garden! This looks so good!
How awesome of Amazing Grass!
I love basil, maybe because it's really the only herb I know what to do with.
Also, I am so jealous of your garden. It looks awesome!
yum, so good! i just found your blog and love it. X) hm… cilantro!
lucie
basil is tops, but I don't think I could live without the underappreciated parsley. When you get a chance, look at my recent pork chop recipe. You are my inspiration.
Thanks for the information about Amazing Grass! I always see the brand thrown around, and didn't know getting a coveted sample was that easy! And I too am a huge basil fan. On pasta or pizza…or anything that contains cheese
I cook with Basil way too much, it is Lars's fault.
Picking raspberries!? So JEALOUS! Once we were on a family trip to Switzerland and we were hiking in the mountains and there were blueberry bushes everywhere! Needless to say, that was the end of our hike because we ate blueberries for the rest of the day!! DElicious!! – Vicky @ vdubb.wordpress.com
I love using fresh basil!
This looks delicious! I love cooking with basil and oregano, especially in the summer