Dear So and So

[Owlie]

I'm kind of ambivalent toward pesto. Fresh is good. Jarred stuff...depends what brand it is. I also think it needs good pasta to go with it. There's a local pasta company that makes pretty awesome Garlic! Fettuccine (yes, that's what it's called) that goes very nicely with pesto.

I need to do something with the pot of basil that's outside.

Dear inner cyclist--
Don't feel bad about "wasting" today. I know you're going to feel like this is a case of sour grapes, but really, it's hot (or will be once you get out!), it's humid, it's foggy (so your drive to the trail would have been interesting, to say the least). On top of that, since you toughed that seatpost thing out yesterday (24 miles would have been quite enough, but you decided to do another eight!), your knee and hip would really like to take the day off. Go back to bed for an hour or two. It's not worth killing that poor knee and hurting it more for the sake of a 15 mile ride. And yes, I know you're not happy about not being able to ride for quite a few days this month because of the heat and the car issue. Deal with it.

[withm]

Errr, I have 6 basil plants. I've found that it's the right amount for me.

I harvest periodically and make pesto - put in everything (basil, parmesan reggiano, nuts - pine nuts or more likely cashews, garlic) but the oil. Shape into logs, wrap each in plastic wrap, or sandwidh baggie, and put them all into a zip lock bag in the freezer.

The beauty of doing it this way is without the oil, that it thaws almost instantly. Just put your pesto log into a bowl, add some olive oil, whisk together, add more oil until you get the consistency you like, and you are good to go.

And while I'm sure that someone will find fault with this method, it has worked very well for me for many years.

[tulip]

You can also freeze it in ice cube trays and then have individual portions. Marni, I hope you stop tossing basil...there's always room for more pesto in the world.

[OakLeaf]

Wow, it takes a 2' row for me to get enough basil to put up pesto for the winter. +1 on the ice trays.

Taste of summer in the middle of winter.

I keep reading not to put cheese in pesto that you plan to freeze. Sometimes I do, sometimes not, if I use cheese it's always good stuff, never noticed a problem. Anyone have a comment on that?

[tulip]

I never put cheese in pesto. Basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, sea salt. I also freeze mine with the oil...that is, if I have any to freeze. I usually eat it all up fresh. I guess I have to plant more basil (I have just four plants of Genovese basil, plus four or five of Thai basil, which I don't use to make pesto but I suppose I could).

[Owlie]

Ooh, Thai basil! I wanted a plant, but mum vetoed that on the grounds we wouldn't use as much as we would "regular" basil. If I had some, I'd be making as much drunken chicken as I could...

[marni]

lets see... I have 14 2 foot logs of frozen pesto and 24 jars of pesto and that's not counting the 12 or so I have given to my daughter, trainer and breast doctor's nurse. I have 6 pots not 6 plants, each pot is 2' diameter and holds multiple plants in spite of thinning.

Back to harvesting and throwing.

Owlie, I have regular, sweet italian, globe, cinnamon and two others flavors I can't recall, but I would love to have a drunken chicken recipe.

I would actually consider mailing it out to the pesto to those on the list who want it, but the cost and inconvenience sound a bit daunting.

marni

[tulip]

That's a lotta pesto, indeed.

[Owlie]

...that's a lot of pesto.

I haven't found a good drunken chicken recipe yet--I'll let you know when I do.

[tulip]

Dear Owlie,
Thanks for bringing up recipes with Thai basil. I have to go to the LBS today to drop off my bike for a new chain and cassette, and there's an Asian grocery nearby the LBS. I'm going to get all the fixins for summer rolls. While I'm at it, I think I'll treat myself to some good pho at the restaurant next door. Yum!

-tulip

[jessmarimba]

Check out RABA. They have rides every day. Good riding towards Ashland and east of town out near airport. How tall are you?

5'7". I think I've found a friend of a friend who has a bike that will fit, plus has the same size feet as me (I didn't bring shoes). Now I just need to find time to ride it Thanks for the ride suggestions!

[Owlie]

Dear Owlie,
Thanks for bringing up recipes with Thai basil. I have to go to the LBS today to drop off my bike for a new chain and cassette, and there's an Asian grocery nearby the LBS. I'm going to get all the fixins for summer rolls. While I'm at it, I think I'll treat myself to some good pho at the restaurant next door. Yum!

-tulip

You're welcome! Now I want Thai food.

I'm making "angry pasta" with some of the basil outside, before it smothers the lavender. I should actually go out and get it now, before it gets hotter.

[Blueberry]

Dear Paving Contractor:

1 business day's notice that you are repaving my street for 2 weeks is not cool. Nor is the fact that you told us to park cars in the driveway (as opposed to on the street) and then made it impossible to get out either end of the street. My DH can't bike right now, and I have places to go for work that are not within biking range. Sorry - but we need vehicular access one way or another.

It's also really not cool that you're 2 hours into work and have already cut the gas line (though it was funny that you knocked on the door while I was on the phone with the city folks asking about access - they were not happy with you).

It's gonna be a long 2 weeks (but I am looking forward to smooth pavement - if we ever get there).

Sincerely,

A Disgruntled Homeowner

[jessmarimba]

Dear Paving Contractor:

1 business day's notice that you are repaving my street for 2 weeks is not cool. Nor is the fact that you told us to park cars in the driveway (as opposed to on the street) and then made it impossible to get out either end of the street. My DH can't bike right now, and I have places to go for work that are not within biking range. Sorry - but we need vehicular access one way or another.

It's also really not cool that you're 2 hours into work and have already cut the gas line (though it was funny that you knocked on the door while I was on the phone with the city folks asking about access - they were not happy with you).

It's gonna be a long 2 weeks (but I am looking forward to smooth pavement - if we ever get there).

Sincerely,

A Disgruntled Homeowner

Ughhhh They did that to us last fall. Except we got NO notice - I went to leave for work, and our street was chopped up. We have alleys but next to no one has alley access to their property b/c of fences, etc.

The road is already torn up, too.

[Sky King]

Dear Dark Chocolate M&M's,
Please stop calling my name from the pantry. Yes, I know I rode 50 miles this morning but if I eat you than I won't be able to have a beer tonight, and when it is 90 degrees out I really like having a beer. I am going to sit here and pinch my belly roll instead!