The first annual Green Fair held at Plants Unlimited in Rockport, Maine was a huge success. It was warm and sunny enough that every Mainer was out buying geraniums and basil even when they know we still have until the end of May before we can be certain there won’t be another frost to kill off our new tender beauties.
There were two displays there, other than all of the green plants (heaven for Mainers who’ve only just stopped thinking they’ll see white snow when looking out the window) that just fascinated me. The first were two owls, a Barred and a Barn Owl. They were so beautiful and still that they almost didn’t look real.
The second was a woman who makes all sorts of clothing out of Salvation Army rejects. Sweater sleeves became pant legs for kids pants, jeans with holes in the knees were cut off at the hip and turned into skirts with fabric taken from a dress and a myriad of fabrics became bags of all sorts and sizes.
My talk was on how to use fresh herbs in cooking. Chloe and I made fresh pasta, savory pie crusts and pestos. Some of the recipes are in this week’s column in the Portland Press Herald.
This pesto is one that my daughter, Chloe, especially liked. Serve it with pasta, spread on focaccia or over a toasted baguette.
Dill, Lemon and Goat Cheese Pesto
1/2 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
1/2 cup lightly packed dill leaves
1/4 cup pinenuts
2 tablespoons goat cheese
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic
several grinds of fresh black pepper
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or with a mortar and pestle.
Makes 1/2 cup
Annie
Headed out to the garden now
No Comments