Trois Pesto de Basilic

The following post is from my old blog. I'm re-purposing it for my co-worker, Jack, who wants to know how to make basil pesto. My basil is starting to get a wiley, so I may be making some of this in the near future myself!





There's been a silent duel over the backyard for years.

Years, I tell you.

Some day he decided the backyard was his.

And that was it.

No contest.

The backyard has been my big brother's since that point. He's done a good job, I'll give him that. Except for the blackberries. He kinda lets them die. But it's not like he hasn't been busy being a police officer and all.

My dreams of planting my own veggies, fruits, herbs in the ground have gone unfulfilled. I've worked around not being able to plant in the ground. I've been planting my herbs in containers. They've survived, but there is something about planting directly in the ground that is so...so...earthy.

When he bought a house this spring, my first thought was, "The backyard is miiiiiiine!!!"

The Monstrosity In The Fridge

"What monstrosity did you make in here, Erin??" my dad hollered from the kitchen with his head half in the refrigerator.

"I'll have you know that monstrosity is a light and refreshing melon salad," I shouted over my shoulder towards the general direction of the kitchen, not budging from cushioned glider in which I had just made myself comfy.

"What's in this thing?" he said, emerging from the kitchen.

"Delightfulness. And awesomeness. And some honeydew, blueberries, cucumbers, lime, and mint and basil from our garden."

"Hmmmmmm...sounds...interesting."

My family doesn't like my food.

Seriously.

They call it "weird stuff" or "science experiments."

We have different definitions of delicious.

Ever seen Pixar's Ratatouille?

My little brother often compares me to Remy, the chef rat.

I overlook the fact that he's comparing me to a rat.

I love the part where Remy is trying to explain to his rat brother (which, theoretically, represents my little brother - heh, heh, heh) the textures and flavors of cheese and strawberries....

Savory Oatmeal: Sausage, Tomato, & Parmesan

Let's admit it: oatmeal is bland.

Unlike some other grains, which may have nutty or wheaty flavors, oatmeal tastes, well, like nothing. An oatmeal pessimist tastes bland. An oatmeal optimist? Aaaaaah, they taste a blank canvas.

Since I eat oatmeal just about every day for breakfast, I'm working hard on my optimism. It occurred to me that oatmeal doesn't have to be tied to sweet - cinnamon, fruit, sugar, etc. Why not try something savory? I mean, rice can be sweet and savory, right? Quinoa can be sweet and savory, too. Why not oatmeal?