Herb Heaven . . . And A Recipe!

In Minnesota we starting thinking about our gardens in January, not because we'll be planting them anytime soon but rather we need all the warm thoughts we can get when it's 30 below.

I swear, even if we didn't use these beauties in cooking, we'd grow them for the pure pleasure of their sweet aroma wafting past our noses and through the windows!

Just loved loved LOVED the fact that Shady Acres (our FAVORITE herb farm) was all set up at the Minneapolis Farmers Market this year! Shady Acres grows every imaginable herb without ever using insecticide or fungacides. It's one of those places you never have to worry about what you're getting.

Honestly, I really did wanna buy the whole table.

 Rosemary

The potatoes are utterly lost without you!

Basil

Your marriage to Mr. Tomato is a match made in heaven.

And, the pesto is almost gone.

Oregano

Are you ready to get sauced?

 Italian Parsley

No more soapy-tasting cilantro, yay!!

You are welcome here anytime.

One of our favorite things to make in the summer is Bruschetta, an appetizer from central Italy dating back to the 15th century. Pronounced [brus'ketta], it consists of a sliced baguette, toasted and rubbed with garlic topped with a mixture of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and herbs.

Here's my favorite Bruschetta recipe!

ingredients

• 8 ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp finely minced garlic
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp finely minced fresh tarragon
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 baguettes, cut in 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 6 cloves garlic, cut in half

preparation

In a bowl, mix all ingredients except bread and garlic cloves. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside, unrefrigerated, 3 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Toast bread on a baking sheet. Rub cut side of garlic on each slice; top with tomato mixture. 

YUM.

What herbs do you like and what's your favorite way to use them?

Cookin' up a storm,

Cheryl