Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Less Is More - Saucy Garden

It's true, we started out with a huge veggie garden, here at The Old Homestead. Ever-growing, shade-producing trees forced many a move. However, after planting inside the pool gate one year, we did have a banner crop of tomatoes well into November. Then came a vacationing summer, during which we lost everything edible. One just can't rely on hired help to water! Oooh-kay, so a couple seasons were reserved for blossoms only. Then...
Watch Me Grow To Abundance!!
Christian and Dawn gifted us a patio wood burner. Very pretty. But honestly, if it's cold enough to need a fire, we move indoors. Just had to put it to use...

Joe complied with my request to drill holes in its bottom, after which I planted a mini sauce-garden of patio tomatoes, parsley and basil, with a few ornamental plants for further aesthetics. So, you're laughing, are ya? Well...

We had an awesome first-sauce on Sunday night, made with a fistful of parsley, basil and chives (from another bed)... all blended in my Cuisinart with olive oil and pepper, and then mixed with a box of tomatoes. Pure pesto would have been good with pine nuts, but I need to gently introduce Joe into all that green! I heated the sauce quickly - it's imperative to leave the herbs nearly raw, so you don't want it to cook, per se. We had it over linguine... squisito!

When the tomatoes are ready, I plan on lots of cold sauce, marinated all day with garlic... or salads of the same ingredients... all from our less-is-more garden.

Still laughin'? Buon Appetito! Remember to dine al fresco.