Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Basil, I Presume?

Basil! I like the herb...its look, taste and smell - especially the smell of the dried seeds, which is very peppery! I think *Basil* is a fabulous name too. So today I'm celebrating the herb and a recipe, Lemon Basil Pasta. Any basil fans? Any herbal-garden decorators?  Photos: Herbal Patio; Basil Rathbone (the original Sherlock Holmes actor - hence the title); Herb Gift Basket (online); Framed Herbs Idea - Better Homes and Gardens; Herb Garden Markers; Lemon Basil Pasta and my recipe. Let me know if you try it!



 



















LEMON BASIL PASTA  (4 very large servings)

16 oz angel hair pasta spaghetti
3 tsp. dried basil leaves, or you can used 3-5 fresh leaves (or the equivalent to the dried)
2 + Tablespoons of  fresh lemon juice (though I've used bottled in a pinch)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (not the Kraft grated, but the REAL kind, shredded. I get it at Sam's)
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 + tsp garlic salt (more or less to taste)
1/2+ tsp black pepper (fresh grated, if possible)

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain.
Mix in butter, juice, basil, garlic and pepper in a small bowl.
Toss over pasta.
Sprinkle Parmesan over the pasta and mix in. Garnish with fresh lemon slices.

Can also add 2 cups of grilled chicken, diced.

It's good the next day too!

29 comments:

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Janean,

Love basil too and that is what I had on my pizza on Friday night with mozzarella cheese and tomato... very tasty.
I have some growing in my herb garden.
Great post.
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Shay said...

I want some of those herb garden markers...might even have to think about making some!

I love basil but it hates my garden.

It's me said...

The smeel of basil.....................oooooooooooo........it 's summertime for me............outside cooking and eating in the sun with the smell of basil.............let the summer begin..............but spring is ok first !! hahahaah!!


Have a nice sinday ...sun is shining...........it is a lovely day friends of us come to visit today and eat with us...........hugs Ria

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Janean, Basil Rathbone, love it! Only you would come up with that one. You know my ties to old Hollywood, so here's alittle trivia for you. My gal, Carole Lombard was at one of Basil's parties and she was dancing around an accidentally fell into his pool, beautiful bugle-beaded gown and all. No problem for Carole, she went upstairs and put on some of his pj's and continued on with the party! What a girl! Have a great Sunday, my dear.

summersundays-jw said...

One of my favorite meals is pesto. I always grow tons of basil. Come on spring!!! Jan

Donna Reyne' said...

Hello Janean!
It is a cold and dreary day here but your lovely post was like a ray of Sunshine!
Basil is one of 3 favorite herbs. Yesterday, I picked up a small plant of basil while in my grocery store.
It is sitting on my window ledge and I can pick what I like from it.
Thank you for this recipe...
I think it will be dinner!


p.s....the first picture of the little outdoor room is so delightful...could stay there awhile!

Blessings my friend...donna

Becky Garrison said...

That pasta sounds delicious! And I'm freaky crazy about basil! I've already got some babies I planted from seed in a pot in my kitcen so I can have a jump on summer's bounty! I even prefer fresh basil in a sandwich (esp. BLT's) to lettuce. There's a great sandwich I make that has provolone, grilled onions, basil, olive oil and Italian bread - it's incredible!

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

Mmm, looks so yummy! I love herbs and adding them to various dishes that I make.

Blessings, Grace

Julie said...

OOO thanks for the recipe. I love the smell of basil. just to crush some between my fingers. I must go and get some little herb pots started out on the deck.!!!!
My kids loved the Sherlock Holmes movies (the b&w originals!) I haven't seen the newest production in theaters yet.
Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Hi Janean,

I have a big herb garden. I will try your recipe out this week and get back to you. Looks delish! Did you make those garden markers?

Deborah

1 Funky Woman said...

Love basil, give me a Caprese Salad and I'm in heaven! I love that outdoor dining picture, drooling!

Farm Girl said...

Hi Janean, Your pictures are lovely and along with your raspberry tea your pasta looks so yummy. I am a great fan of Basil Rathbone too. :)

My herb garden is going great too, I love everything you post.
Have a lovely Sunday!

Unknown said...

I love basil as well and that pasta looks wonderful, I will try it when my basil is ready to pick. Oh, I have to plant it? Ok, I won a giveaway and one of the items was organic basil seeds so I will plant those today! Thanks, for the reminder!

Ticking and Toile said...

oh yeah, I really want to make some of those herb markers too! so adorable! thanks for sharing!

Shellagh

Ticking and Toile said...

Hi Janean,
There is nothing better than the smell of fresh basil.....love it....actually I love all herbs & so enjoy having them in my garden. Right now I have creeping thyme lining a little path & it is just wonderful. It's evergreen so not only does it smell fabulous, but it looks good & grows like crazy so I'm always dividing & spreading it around.

Your recipe looks great! It sounds right up my alley...easy & yummy. :)

Thanks so much for coming by and commenting on my bedroom makeover...it's pretty much finished I'm just waiting on one little thing & I'll post...hopefully tomorrow! YaY!!

Shellagh

Brenda Pruitt said...

Herbs are every bit as special to me as any flower in my garden. Got to get my basil planted. But it's snowing!
Brenda

Lillian Robinson said...

Sounds yummy. I love having left-over pasta for lunch!

That garden shot looks delightful!

Marcia said...

Love pesto (lots of garlic and toasted pine nuts) over whole wheat pasta. One of my very favorite meals.

Karen said...

Recipe sounds delicious. I love basil. I'm going to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some potted herbs. But I must confess-they don't seem to thrive under my care....sigh...

La Maison said...

I like your recipe, I will try to make it some times.
Nice pictures.

Have a nice week
Hermine

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you for the recipe, I am going to try it. We always have fresh Parm. in the house. Adding the chicken sounds awesome too!
I'm not sure if I'm a fan but I hope to be with the recipe.

Wouldn't you just love a garden like that? I love it!

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Janean,
I have to say I love basil too. The first photo is absolute stunning - would you mind if I took a copy for my 'design file'? A light bulb went off in my head as soon as I saw it...
Sherlock and Basil Rathbone - really enjoy all the little clever images you always include. The recipe looks delicious, will try this for sure.
Happy Sunday to you,
Mimi

Rita said...

Ohhhh, this looks so yummy. Thanks for the recipe.

Technodoll said...

Oooo that looks positively nummy!!

Love Faulty Tower's "Basil The Rat" episode - ever seen it? LOL LOL

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

I love basil. I make several dishes that I use it in fresh. Nothing better.

Callie Brady said...

I love pasta and this recipe gives me a great excuse to treat myself! Thanks

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Janean....I LOVE pasta and basil so I'm going to try this recipe soon. Again...great pictures! Hope you enjoyed some sunshine today. Take care
Maura

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I am back to copy that recipe! I love the ingredients...YUM! ♥

Marla said...

I love everything about Basil and have several pots of it growing happily.