Lisa’s Herbs

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Good friends know what you need and when you need it.  My precious and wise friend Lisa knew all the way from the East Coast that what I needed when I came home from the hospital was a new cookbook and fresh herbs, two of my favorite things in the world.  “Herbs have healing powers, you know,” she texted me later in the day. 
The darling container seen above holds basil, mint, and rosemary, lovingly put together by a local florist, with explicit directions from Lisa over the phone.  The cookbook took it all a step further.  Sunset publications are the best.  I have had a subscription to their magazine, given to me every year by my mother, for over thirty years.  I can’t recall any recipe I have made from Sunset that didn’t turn out wonderful.  This is one of their special publications that are offered occasionally throughout the year.  If you love to cook with herbs, or never have and are interested, find this one!  It gives easy instructions to start an herb garden with incredible recipes from chefs and home cooks alike. 
For an appetizer, try the caramelized pear and sage crostini;  peas with an herb dip; or stuffed zucchini blossoms with goat cheese.  I love the side dishes such as glazed radishes, Swiss chard with pancetta, or roasted potatoes and carrots with thyme.  There are also staples like pesto and tomato sauces.  One recipe that really has me intrigued is the tomato and herb salad with fresh chive cheese.  Making fresh cheese may sound very intimidating, but with five easy steps you can make the salad and cheese as seen on the cover.  I can’t wait to try it with my abundance of chives in my garden.  Now I only wish Lisa could be here to share it with me, so I could tell her in person how her generous gift is helping me heal.

8 Responses to Lisa’s Herbs

  1. June 4, 2012 at 5:41 am #

    Good to see you blogging again! 🙂

  2. June 4, 2012 at 5:53 am #

    So happy you enjoyed my get well gift. Donna, from “Donna’s Florist” was just so great to work with. I chose her because her web site was filled with not only beautiful arrangements, but also for her tribute to our military. She went shopping on my behalf for that Sunset cookbook–talk about personal service!

    You know I am with you in spirit all the time, but I could be tempted to jump on a plane to make chive cheese with you!…and to learn how to can with you and to help you arrange cookbooks in the basement…..

  3. June 4, 2012 at 6:26 am #

    I am going to stop by Donna’s one of these days. I have never been there, but so happy to know about it now. You can come here anytime. We would have so much fun cooking, talking, and arranging the cookbooks! When the basement is all done, I’ll be having a big party. Maybe you can come then!

  4. June 4, 2012 at 6:28 am #

    Thanks, Lisa! It’s good to be back on the blog again. It seems like I’ve been gone forever!

  5. June 4, 2012 at 6:47 am #

    Welcome back! We have missed you sooooooo much! Bon Appetit, Y’all with much love.
    ML

  6. June 4, 2012 at 7:20 am #

    What a beautiful gift. I know you’ll put the herbs and the cookbook to good use, and always think of Lisa when you’re in the kitchen with them.

    Lisa, you sound like a wonderful person. And Donna’s sounds like a wonderful place to shop.

  7. June 4, 2012 at 7:30 am #

    Yes, Lisa is the best. So generous and kind. I am so lucky she is my friend.

  8. June 4, 2012 at 7:31 am #

    Thank you, Mary Louise! It’s so good to be back!

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