Monday, December 29, 2008

Summertime

Picked our first lot of basil and with it made one of my all time favourites, delicious pesto. A number of years ago, when staying with friends in Tuscany, I actually had four serves of pesto pasta that Paola made, and that was after antipasti and before the meat courses. It was really that good.


I also made a favourite summertime dessert today, spiced cherries. It's not a recipe as such as it's my own concoction. When there are no children consuming them then I make what is effectively a mulled wine (red wine, sugar, a splash of liquer, cinnamon stick, orange zest and juice), poach the cherries (pitted and fresh) in it briefly, really just enough to warm through then remove them with a slotted spoon. I then reduce the wine/sauce and then strain and pour over the cherries. With the girls eating these it's the same but minus the booze and with a splash of water and more orange juice. Consume room temperature to warm on top of vanilla icecream.

It's not hot today, but it's so nice having Geoff home, eating together as a family, which is something with have opportunity to do nowhere near enough, and eating outside always makes it seem like a holiday.

7 comments:

Cindy said...

Poppy just got her first herry of the season - and I think she may be hooked

mrs boo radley said...

I love reading about your summer during our winter.

Prue said...

I am so with you on the pesto. And I always think something that is that delicious has to be really good for you.

Kiki said...

WOW!! Your southern basil looks so healthy. Maybe it could teach mine a thing or two about that.

Sandy said...

Yummy! Looks so delicious! I wish it was summertime here, but luckily, it's not too cold here in LA. I can relate to you having Geoff for a whole week. Ray has the week off too, and I am really enjoying the family time.

donna said...

Mmmm..looks delish. I'm missing summer already!
-D

Xi said...

Here is summer too.
And i can eat basil (albahaca in my language) It is really great in every meal.

Greetings from Santiago de Chile.