Ah, summer time. Ok, I guess it isn’t quite summer yet, though the high 80 and 90 (!!!) degree temperatures this week sure have me fooled. There are multiple things I could list off that I love about summer, but near the top of the list you’d find fresh produce and herbs.
Although I often run my mouth about wanting a garden, it hasn’t really happened yet. My eyes light up when I see all the vegetable plants lined up at Lowe’s, but I haven’t pulled the trigger and learned much about how to actually grow things.
Despite my lack of knowledge, my patio tomato plant seems to be thriving. It’s starting to bloom and has me dreaming of summertime manwiches. And I’m already a big fan of the arugula I planted. It grows crazy fast so I need to do a better job of keeping an eye on it.
Those are my only two veggies at the moment, but I also have mint
for mojitos! …and iced tea, of course 
I have the beginning of basil plants that need to be separated soon for tomato almond pesto.
My mini rosemary plant that is currently being devoured by weeds. Note to self, get on that.
Though I do want to attempt a yogurt and dill salmon, I don’t often use dill, which is a shame considering it loves my yard so much and comes up on its own.
Then, there is parsley. I love parsley. It’s full of antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties and is full of vitamin K (2 tbsp has 153% of your daily vitamin K need). But alas, my parsley looks like this:
So I bought a bunch while I wait for it to grow (…or break down and just go buy a plant ) so I could try two new parsley recipes.
Bean, Onion & Parsley Salad (from Martha Stewart) served over baby spinach
- 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed
- 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp red wine vineger
- salt and pepper
Wild Rice with Mushrooms and Parsley (from Martha Stewart)
- 1 cup dry wild rice (cooked according to directions)
- 2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1 lb button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- salt and pepper
Liked the bean salad and loved the wild rice. For the rice, simply cook the rice according to the directions, then sauté the garlic and mushrooms in olive oil for about 12 minutes before adding the rice. Then, turn off the heat and add the parsley and lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mmm!
Now that I’m thinking about it, I might make a trip to Lowe’s today and buy a parsley plant. I need to have this growing soon so I can also make herbed goat cheese chicken pasta!
Is it just me, or do the warmer temperatures have everyone wanting to cook with fresh-from-the-garden ingredients?
What do you use dill on?
Andrea says
Just discovered dill on carrots (2lbs carrots sliced about 1/4 thick, place in covered sauce pot with 1/3 cup water, simmer for 7 minutes, add 2T butter and when completely coated, throw in 1-1/2T dill), potato salad (made with Greek yogurt and dill), and I like the big heads for all my home canning needs (pickles, dilly beans, dilled green tomatoes…). And this is an amazing recipes using lots of fresh herbs.. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/israeli-couscous-with-apples-cranberries-and-herbs-recipe/index.html
Brittany says
I love the sound of your dill carrots. I’m definitely going to try those. Thanks so much!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I can’t wait to be settled in one place so I can grow my own basil plant. 🙂
Brittany says
basil can travel pretty well- go for it now! 😉
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
Ahh!!! We are planting our garden this weekend! Chris is building me a raised bed. I have NO idea what I am doing haha. Maybe I should get on it?
Brittany says
David keeps saying he’ll build me a raised bed, but hasn’t made good on it yet. You must let me know what you decide to plant! …and send me pictures so I can convince David to get on it 😉
Jane Preston says
Love your plants! I use dill on Salmon and in making Tzatziki (Greek recipe) and have it growing in my new Tower Garden!
Melody says
Love your initiative to learn more about growing and starting with a few things to get the hang of it before you go bigger…..I need to do that! I tried one year but didn’t have much luck so I kinda gave up but I need to stick with it! I love the cannelini bean salad…..I make it the same way but add a can of tuna to one can of beans…..super protein pesca-lunch! Enjoy your warm day 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
If we had those warmer temps, I’d be feeling the same way but it’s May 1st and I still have fleece socks on right now. Lame!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Dill is awesome. I use it for sauces for fish or in a cucumber, onion, tomato salad.
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Let’s pretend that I’m not WAY behind on planting my garden… and let’s pretend that my poor little plot isn’t sitting there empty, while my co-workers gardens are flourishing… *ahem*
That said, your garden looks lovely, Brittany! 🙂
Keri says
Sautéed green beans with dill and Dijon–so good!
Julia says
I adore dill and use it whenever possible. With salmon is best 🙂 I broil salmon with some salt, pepper and a healthy sprinkling of fresh chopped dill, a squeeze of lemon on top when it comes out of the oven brightens everything right up. My husband will only eat fish with a sauce of some kind, so I take plain greek yogurt and mix a little salt, some lemon juice, pepper and a good helping of dill. Mix and store in the fridge until ready to use. I try to make the dill sauce up earlier in the afternoon so it has a couple of hours to sit. And to round out the meal I will make potatoes with dill or roast green beans with dill also.
Cindi says
I’m jealous of people that can garden. Our yard gets almost zero sun because we have so many trees!
Here is a staple in our house – green beans w/feta & dill – it’s so good! http://cookingontheside.com/green-beans-with-feta-and-dill/
kristin point says
I used dill in home made taziki sauce. I usually make it w falafel! Yummy!
Lisa says
I totally agree, I have been craving fresh herbs and veggies on the days where it is a lot warmer! I actually love dill! Its my fave herb. I use it way more than any other! I can’t wait for my neighbour to start growing her garden so she can give me some of the veggies 😉
Jenny @ simply be me says
We just planted a few things in our garden on the weekend (spinach, mixed greens, beets, basil) and our strawberries plants are already flowering plus the chives have been growing like crazy! I love our garden! I can’t wait to get everything else planted soon – especially the kale. We use dill in cold salads in the summer either in a dressing or just chopped and added to it.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Hmm good question about the dill! Other than a veggie dip, I’m not quite sure. I’m jealous of your garden. I hope to create one when we move into our new house! 🙂