Then there is lots of basil – so pesto and Jekka recipe for basil oil (and for dill, sage, sweet marjoram, rosemary and thyme. 6 jars would make excellent xmas presents? And or herb vinegar.
Then make my own bouquet garni oil, or just dried mix. And then chutney and relish, and ketchup. I must remember to label properly. Garlic in garden looking good too. And then there are the flowers – pot marigold, nasturtium. Hopefully raspberries will be good and there are other berries which may be ok? Mini kiwi plant is doing ok, but no sign of flowers, same for the mulberry. Then the apple later in the year – I will gather thoughts for this crop later.
lemon verbena is coming back to life (as is my blue salvia) – it the one in the front garden has survived I might plant the other one out too.
And then the mints – I hope to have up to 20 in pots by the end of the summer. Dried and labelled could be a fun present?
And then the strawberries – definitely making jam, and maybe some with mint or lemon verbena, or lemon balm, or?
And so – with all this garden produce (hopefully) – I will need recipes to go with it. I am thinking wraps with salad and herby tomato sauce and maybe cockles or mussels. Pasta and pizza, brown rice salad, potatoes with avocado mayo and toms, etc.
And with luck some lemons and limes later in the year – little buds forming. Next time at the garden centre I will get some chive seeds, and maybe chervil (I saw this in a recipe).
So cheese thins with a variety of herbs and pepper? Nut roast with lots of herbs. Bread and rolls, brioche, focaccia, pizza bianca, endless ideas for basic dough with herbs and cheese, garlic, maybe a touch of chilli.