Fresh Herbs - Using Different Basil varieties/ Rosemary/ Oregano

[a_boleyn]

I recently decided to start growing a few herbs at home in an outdoor planter. I have a 'black thumb' so I decided to buy some pots and see what happened. For a variety of reasons I ended up with a pot each of thai (not holy) basil and sweet dani lemon basil as well as several pots of regular "italian" basil for pesto. I've searched the net for

Comments

[lunanoir]

For the Lemon Basil

[lunanoir]

Someone brought this in to a pie contest at work, and tbh I thought it could use a little more basil-ey taste. I'm planning to make it and possibly chiffonade some of the lemon basil into it.

[a_boleyn]

Thank you for the recipe. I'm going to start a file of the different suggestions for now and see what I can do on the weekend. I just wish my mom actually LIKED desserts. :)

[lunanoir]

It's summer! Surely you can find some get-together to bring a pie to. It's pie!

[wldrose]

take chicken tenders (the chicken tenderloin not the frozen breaded things) or slice thin chicken breasts in 2 inch strips spread with cream cheese on one side and puts lots of your herb of choice on roll up and secure with a tooth pick

place in oiled pan and drizzle with a bit more oil place a salted lemon slice on top and bake in a preheated oven 350 for half an hour take out let cool 5 mins take out tooth pick serve

ash

[a_boleyn]

Sounds like it would be tasty with thinly pounded chicken (or pork) cutlets as well. Thank you.

[wldrose]

Oh very much so even beef just dont use lemon put a bit of onion then

but those thin tenders tend to do well

ash

[a_boleyn]

Good idea.

[ogew]

The basil is great in just about anything.
Just cut it up and toss it in:

Salads
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes
Pastas
soups
Straight off the plant into your mouth...

[a_boleyn]

Simple is best. :) Thank you.

[ogew]

[a_boleyn]

Sometimes the obvious is the last thing we think of. :)

I want to have the herbs inside as well but I don't really know where to keep them as I don't have very wide windowsills. How big is your pot where you've got the plant? I emptied out the basement and attic of all my old plastic flower pots last summer (just after my father passed away) and now find myself wanting a few back. I did manage to start some basil plants (7) from seeds but see they're supposed to be planted 18" apart in your garden (which is overgrown with 2 ft tall weeds) so I'm guessing they should go in individual posts.

[randomstasis]

Good for you! Growing fresh herbs is such a fine thing- I have a windowbox of my favorites, all strangling each other, and a big rosemary that I use as a xmas tree

[a_boleyn]

Thank you for all the ideas.

"I have a windowbox of my favorites, all strangling each other"

The 2 cement planters in the back sitting in full sun are big enough that it will take a while for that to happen. One has the 2 exotic basil plants and the oregano and rosemary plants while the other has a tomato plant surrounded by the 3 italian basil plants. If it would only stop raining so much so that the trio stops getting yellow lower leaves from overwatering.

[randomstasis]

Oh, they should be very happy there- btw, I've had good luck with rosemary, thyme and tarragon outside year round- in a southern facing location, rosemary and thyme're actually green enough to use even in winter.

and I forgot to say, when you're pinching off flowers, you can use those too, for a more delicate flavor, decorating salads, etc.
(and one last recipe that's really good- chop up lots of herbs, roll 1-2 inch cubes of pork in them, really coat them, and grill- it's incredible)

[a_boleyn]

I have an east facing back yard with lots of sun. There's a house on the south side with their driveway between.

when you're pinching off flowers, you can use those too, for a more delicate flavor, decorating salads,

I don't know how my mom would deal with that. (Elderly eastern European lady with pretty rigid dietary habits.)

chop up lots of herbs, roll 1-2 inch cubes of pork in them, really coat them, and grill

That DOES sound good. Right now, I usually do pork souvlaki or pork satay skewers so that would add something new to the lineup of what to do with the lean, inexpensive pork loin that I pick up periodically.

[miome]

One of my fave summer dishes is a salad of chopped tomatoes, cucumber, a bit of red onion, and a green herb. Basil is classic, and mint is surprisingly tasty & refreshing. Dress with lemon juice & olive oil.

[a_boleyn]

Thank you. I'm not a fan of regular garden salads (don't care for either tomatoes, cucumbers or raw onion), but I'm sure the suggestion will hit a positive note with anyone who is. :)

[miome]

Whoops! How about quiche?

[a_boleyn]

It would take some thinking to figure out what else to add that would go well with thai basil or lemon basil in a quiche but it might work. Thank you.