Basil

And if you were a Fawlty Towers fan you will know there is only one way to shout Basil!!

For most of the year I have a pot of Basil (just a supermarket plant) in the kitchen, it’s the only plant that is allowed in the house. I love the smell and use the leaves to add to all sorts of things, especially tomatoes. 

And then there is the magic of putting a pile of Basil leaves into a food processor along with pine nuts and olive oil to produce . . . Pesto. With Parmesan folded, in this wonderful stuff transforms dishes. Yesterday it made a sauce for pasta with pancetta cubes and peas - delicious. Today I plan to use it as a dressing for a warm salad of new potatoes, beans and asparagus and flaked tuna. 

Yes, I am back in the kitchen. After two years of Gordon not spending June marking exam papers (no exams!) he has been tempted back, as a Team leader but only doing one paper. So, although it won’t take as much of his time as it has in the past, it does mean that I have taken over the cooking for a bit . . . the novelty won’t last long!!




This week on ‘Breakfast’ (6.30 - 9am) on Radio 3 there is a journey taking place - from coast to coast across the Highlands of Scotland from Cromarty to Mull. It is great listening, as Petroc meets local people, historians and musicians. Well worth listening to (can also be found on BBC Sounds).