Fresh herbs

Basil Bush is now in his new summer home in the herb garden. Hopefully he will flourish there until the frosts come in the autumn.

Yesterday's meal epitomised the benefit of having a herb garden. The Fox was having a go at Raymond Blanc's recipe for Fricassee of Wild Mushrooms. We had to vary it a bit, mainly because we're not forest foragers. I can't quite see it with a wheelchair. Nonetheless we had managed to buy what was labelled "Exotic Wild Mushrooms". It didn't specify which mushrooms were included. We recognised the oyster ones, but the others were a mystery.

The recipe proved to be a delight to eat. Part of the pleasure was the unexpected hint of aniseed flavour that came from the tarragon. We were aware of the parsley & chervil too, but the tarragon really stood out.

I'm particularly chuffed about the tarragon. Last year was the first time I've tried to grow my own. My understanding is that they are annuals, yet this year the tarragon reappeared. I can only assumed it self-seeded. Whatever the reason I'm not complaining.

The flavour of the herbs, straight from the garden seems to be so much more intense. And they don't look bad, with their variation of leaf shape & shades of green, not to mention their flowers & the purple leaves on the sage, the silvery grey of the curry plant & the bronze of one of the fennels. Altogether a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.