How Does Your Herb Garden Grow?

Oh the joy of fresh herbs right from the garden.  They add so much flavor and vibrancy to any dish, simple or complex.

We moved six months ago (how the time has flown) and decided to plant a garden this year because we have a huge yard now.  Besides all the vegetables we planted, I wanted an herb garden.  Fresh herbs are expensive to buy, but pure delight to use.  Now, I can walk out my back door and pick what I want from my little herb garden.  If you don't have room to plant in the ground, herbs grow very well in pots.  One plant costs less than a bunch of herbs at the grocery most of the time.  Therefore, you have saved a lot of money because you have herbs to use whenever you want!  As you pick the herbs, they get bigger.

I planted basil, dill,  two varieties of oregano, rosemary, thyme, and cilantro.  Adding fresh herbs to the food I have been making kicks it up to a whole new level.

Here is a simple recipe for bread that can be eaten as a sandwich or a side for a meal.  It is delicious!  This would be wonderful to serve this Fourth of July weekend if you are looking or something new or different.

Ingredients you will need:

One baguette (or more if you are having company)
Sliced fresh mozzarella or grated mozzarella cheese (I like to slice fresh)
Olive oil
Fresh basil leaves

First, tear off a piece of aluminum foil that is big enough to wrap the baguette in.  Slice the baguette horizontally, like this.

Next, cover the bottom of the baguette with mozzarella cheese.  Drizzle the cut side of the baguette top  with olive oil.  Take about 3 or 4 basil leaves, roll them and chiffonade, which means to cut into small slivers.  Scatter the basil over the mozzarella cheese.

Place the top of the baguette over the bottom like you are making a sandwich.

Fold the foil over the baguette long ways, rolling tight.  Then roll the ends closed.

Place the foil wrapped bread on a baking sheet.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake the baguette for 20/30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and unwrap the foil.  Slice the bread into about 3 inch sections.  This is so delicious warm with the mozzarella oozing out the sides and the bright flavor of the basil adding to the deliciousness.  There is also the subtle hint of the olive oil which is wonderful and good for you.

Give this recipe a try.  It is super easy, super delicious and don't forget to  enjoy your holiday weekend!  Summer is zooming by.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:


‎"We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it." William Faulkner

We Have A Situation Here

Do you see this sign?  Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams just opened a shop in our neighborhood in East Nashville, Tennessee.  Two day's ago I read an article in The Huffington Post Food and Wine section that names Jeni's one of the top ten - that's top 10 - ice creams in the country.   They are based in Columbus, Ohio,  and, they have a location in our neighborhood.

Now this is serious because no one on the face of the earth loves ice cream more than my husband (and he's also a major chocoholic).  I mean he LOVES ice cream and we have a Jeni's right down the road.   This is seriously serious because it is right next to our favorite coffee shop, Ugly Mugs, and right next to Silly Goose which is an incredible gourmet sandwich shop.

Do you see where this is heading?  We are retired.  We can arrange our schedules most days to do what we want.   Many days, we start with coffee at Ugly Mugs.  It is a lovely locally owned coffee shop with a great atmosphere and nice outside sitting area which we like to take advantage of on these beautiful days.

Sandwiched between Ugly Mugs and Jeni's is Silly Goose (no pun intended).  Silly Goose just expanded to accommodate more patrons.  They serve wonderful cous cous, salads and gourmet sandwiches.  The cous cous dishes have things like curried shrimp and cashews, grilled chicken and poblano peppers.
Their salads have ingredients like prosciutto Di Parma, artichokes and kalamata tapenade, organic quinoua, roasted red peppers, roasted red beets, blue gouda and sweet onion jam.

Sandwiches include things like smoked salmon, honey black pepper goat cheese, ham, brie and green apple, or herb grilled portabello and walnut pesto on fabulous breads.  These aren't sandwiches you will find at a local chain restaurant and they are fantastic!

And then there is Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream -  and they are not kidding!  The orange and yellow sign hangs like a beacon in the night or perhaps a siren calling your name.  "Please stop in and try some of our delectable treats like Cherry Lambic Sorbet, Reisling Poached Pear Sorbet, Brambleberry Crisp, Bourbon Buttered Pecan, Queen City Cayenne, Wildberry Lavender, and Salty Caramel."  These are just some of the flavors.

Dan and I had several errands to run today and when we were done, I suggested giving Jeni's a try.  He was all up for that for sure.  He gave the dark chocolate ice cream a try and I had a scoop of the Reisling Poached Pear sorbet and a scoop of the Cherry Lambic sorbet.  There just are no words.  I am simply at a loss to describe the consistency and taste.  You will just have to try it if and when you can.   Know that when any of you come to visit, there will be a trip to Jeni's.   It's worth a trip to Nashville just to try the ice cream.  

Now, back to my point.  Here is the situation.  We can start the day at Ugly Mugs, enjoying our coffee, maybe a bagel or muffin to go with it, discussing philosophy and major world events.  Time will pass and it's lunch time.  Maybe we will just walk a few steps to Silly Goose.  There we can enjoy whatever we choose from the menu.  We can discuss philosophy and major world events, our grandsons, how the garden is growing.  Time passes.  Oh look, Jeni's is right next door.  Maybe we should have some ice cream before we go home.  And, before you know it, an entire day has passed and we have walked a total of 50 feet (maybe) and done nothing but eat and talk.  We have accomplished absolutely nothing but eating and talking.  Wait.   Now that I think about it, is that really so bad?   We have spent a lifetime working and hurrying.  Let me rethink this whole situation.  This is an ideal situation.  Things are looking up.  It is all in the way you look at it!

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”   Winnie the Pooh