isbn: 1-890132-95-0
Basil has to be my favourite herb. I grow several varieties both indoors and out. This is one reason that I was delighted to come across Lorel Nazzaro's delightful book, "the pesto manifesto, recipes for basil & beyond".
Nazzaro begins with the intimate connection between basil and pesto, basil being pesto's prime ingredient. It is possible that the relationship between basil and pesto is similar to the relationship between basil and tomatoes, the one will not thrive without the other. Accept no substitutes.
Basil is known as the "King of Herbs" (p.2). Its botanical name, Ocimum basilicum, derives from the Greek okimon (smell) and basilikos (king). (p.2) The herb has a rich folkloric past and Nazzaro provides the reader with an overview into its colourful history. In addition to sharing some of basil's folklore with the reader the author also gives us a family profile which invites us into the wide world of basil and all its family.
Throw in growing and harvesting tips and this book provides us with all we need to know to begin our adventure with this ancient plant. Nazzaro does not stop there, however, from pesto bread to potato salad, this manifesto is chock full of delicious recipes, some quite risque, (Fish and Chips with pesto tartar sauce), which we can try.
Now it is confession time. While i am very familiar with basil, I have only a nodding association with pesto but this book has encouraged me to enhance this relationship, so I am determined to try at least one recipe a week over the next few months.
Naturally, I will start with the recipe for pesto itself which is located on page 54. When I am comfortable with the basics i will then branch out. I am always on the lookout for dips, and sauces to enliven food and especially snacking food, so i will make the tofu dip (p.119). The recipes follows:
mash one package of soft tofu with ½ cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Add 1 tablespoon pesto, 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard, a scant tablespoon of soy sauce and finely minced celery and onion.
Next week an update on my balcony garden. The tatsoi and arugula will provide ample seed for next year and the eggplant is doing well. I found a simple way to provide most of the water this container garden demands.
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