Basil mmmmm mediterrean memories (Basil)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Basil
Date:	10/05/02 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: convenient, cheap, organic

Disadvantages: slow to germinate, -, -

Basil, memories of meditereanean holidays and tomato salads.
I have sown a new pot of basil for my kitchen windowsill. I do not like to be without basil. Basil latin name ocimum basilicum has different varieties I have just discovered a lime basil I wonder what that will taste like.

Basil grows well in a pot on the windowsill in my kitchen.You can buy basil in pots from garden centres, supermarkets but I prefer to grow my own then I know what has been sprayed on it.

I fill pots with peat free compost ( I will not destroy the peat bogs) . Then sprinkle a few seeds on the compost .I cover the seeds with a little compost abot 1/4 inch 6mm .Then put them on the windowsill and keep watered. They will reward you by growing and be in a convenient possition for picking and adding to salads.Takes a while to germinate dont get impatient.

Basil will also grow outside in well drained soil.Grow after the risk of frosts has passed May/June .Sow seed and cover with a little soil.Or as I have done sow them in pots in the greenhouse and plant them out when they are big enough..

My favorite Basil recipe
Tomato and basil salad.


ingredients
1 lb firm tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons chopped basil
basil to garnish
90ml,1/3cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar


Method
slice tomato's thinly
sprinkle on sugar
season with salt&pepper
mix oil, vinegar, basil in a cup/bowl spoon over tomatoes
I sometimes add thinly sliced onion rings.
Cover and leave for an hour.
Drain the oil.
arrange the tomatoes on a plate garnish with basil leaves.
serve and enjoy

Happy gardening and I hope you enjoy the tomato salad.

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