The Grapevine: Talking about Fresh Basil, the Birthday of Filomena Oliverio, and My Friends the Mehaulics
By Rosalyn Queen on June 06, 2024 from The Grapevine
One of my favorite activities is taking my morning cup of coffee out on my deck and breath in the sights and sounds of a new day.
First, I am usually greeted by a couple squirrels who have made their home in our tree. Then if I sit very quietly and do not have Max out with me. I can enjoy the sound of birds. I have not had any success with my bird feeders, but I will work on that. Then I have the most important conversation of the day with my pansies. Their beautiful little faces always seem to be smiling all the time.
Once I finish my second cup of coffee and my parts are ready to move, I tend to my vegetables. I have six tomato plants and three pepper 
plants. I am getting ready to stake my tomato plants. I am happy to report that I have several little green tomatoes and an abundance of blooms on my pepper plants. My zucchini is really growing but to date I do not have any blooms.
plants. I am getting ready to stake my tomato plants. I am happy to report that I have several little green tomatoes and an abundance of blooms on my pepper plants. My zucchini is really growing but to date I do not have any blooms.
Now I save the best till last and that is my basil plants. You know my daughter Leslie and her husband Dixon got me a planter of basil for Easter, what a great gift. First, I ruffle the leaves very gently and just breathe in the wonderful scent. In my opinion it is better than any candle scent.
I am happy to report that my pasta sauce contained fresh basil and the tomato salad this week also contained fresh basil. I pinch off the leaves from the top and very gently tear them before adding them to my dishes. I will chop up a handful of basil and add them to my meatballs.
As I sat on my deck enjoying the scent of basil, I wondered surely there were other dishes that contained basil. This is what my research turned up. With cantaloupe and melons so plentiful during this season, try cantaloupe mozzarella with prosciutto mixed together and topped with fresh basil. Chop some watermelon and mix with feta and fresh basil. When preparing berries to top that cake add some chopped basil with lemon juice and sugar and top with some cream. Try decorating your peach or apple pie with fresh basil leaves. It makes a beautiful decoration as well as adding a different taste to your dish.
If you prepare noodles, shrimp, mushrooms and peas top off with basil before serving. With all the fresh asparagus that is available now, add some almonds, goat cheese and basil when preparing this dish. I encourage you to get creative when preparing your dishes and try incorporating basil in them.
A very happy birthday to Filomena Oliverio. When thinking about “Phil,” I relived the memory of Father Federico who was our priest at Immaculate Conception. When he first came to our church, he got her, and I mixed up. What a compliment. Many more to her and may the be in good health.
I really enjoyed two outings this week, one with Cheryl and John Mehaulic and one with my brother Bill and his wife, Dani. Although I had delicious food, the interaction was so good. Just catching up and reliving memories. I hope you will set aside time today to catch up with family and friends.
Stay happy and healthy and I hope every time you smell basil you think of me. Enjoy summer and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
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