Seems it’s the social season for blogs. Yesterday I was stacking eggplant for a virtual potluck, and today I’m arriving fashionably late for Summer Fest, a four-week celebration of the bounty where bloggers share their tips, tricks and recipes about fresh-from-the-garden foods. I found out about this thanks to Julie Van Rosendaal, cookbook author and the woman behind Dinner With Julie. Stay tuned for more on Julie tomorrow.
This week’s Summer Fest theme is herbs.
Co-host, Matt Armendariz of Mattbites is all about cocktails while his cohort Margaret Roach of A Way to Garden tells you how to grow enough parsley to last the year AND store it. Gluten-Free Girl tackles rosemary, Steamy Kitchen shows you how to make peanut pesto will all that basil, and White on Rice tours readers through a series of Vietnamese herbs.
Me? You know I love cilantro. I’m not posting any recipes today because two of mine just went up at Canadian Home & Country the other day. In my article, I look beyond basil for pesto ideas. Although I offer a recipe for cilantro pesto, I know certain loved ones hate the herb. If you fall into the cilantro-takes-like-soap crowd, try my roasted red pepper pesto (pictured above) which features a lovely mix of traditional basil and light-and-bright lemon thyme.
Summer Fest takes place each Tuesday until August 18th and everyone is invited. You can simply drop by the blogs listed above (and here!) to see what’s happening. Leave a tip, share an opinion or just offer encouragement. Heck, if you have a blog, post something. Admission is free and there’s no seating limit.
Here’s the 2009 schedule:
- Tuesday, July 28: HERBS. Any and all.
- Tuesday, August 4: FRUITS FROM TREES
- Tuesday, August 11: BEANS-AND-GREENS WEEK
- Tuesday, August 18: TOMATO WEEK.
Since we’re talking herbs, do you have a favourite? How do you use it? Or are you in a culinary rut?
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey! So glad you're joining the party!!!
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I need to post my mallow experience from yesterday. So, so good.
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Yay, another party! I can't think of a single herb I don't like. Love them all and have a particular fondness for Italian parsley, dill, thyme and cilantro.
That red pepper pest looks gorgeous, Charmian.
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Oooh, that looks delish!! welcome to the party!
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wow that looks amazing great method of enjoying the summer celebrations
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I have recently fallen in love with cilantro. I go nuts for a fresh made salsa with tons of cilantro! I was on the phone with my mom when I took a look at this post and I said "what is THAT? It looks AMAZING!" I'm going to have to try that pesto!
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Morgan, the pesto photographed is a roasted red pepper pesto. It calls for basil and lemon thyme, but try using cilantro if you're nuts for that herb (I am, too!) What I love about herbs is their flexibility!
SteamyKitchen, Thanks for the warm welcome. I can't wait to see what everyone does with fruit!
Cheryl, love learning about new herbs — and I have a ton of mallow in my garden masquerading as flowers.
Diva, I'm not keen on all herbs but the majority are so good I can't believe we bother with dried.
Julie, thanks for the heads up on Summer Fest. I wouldn't have done this without you.
Summerville, I wish summer lasted twice as long. The fresh food is so wonderful this time of year.
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Watch what cilantro you add to this dish. Another recall has been announced: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/10159#more-10159
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Thanks for the heads up, Joshua. No recalls of cilantro here in Canada — so far.
I just can't get my head around salmonella in herbs or leafy greens.
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What a wonderful new take on pesto! I hate cilantro as a kid but now I love it! I think what changed my mind was when I had it in fresh salsa. I'm still trying to convince my fiance to like it!
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Darn! I'm sorry I missed the first phase of the party. Also sorry that I posted this week about green beans and greens.
At least I can still get in on the tomato finale! Thanks for letting me know about this set of events via your wonderful blog.
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