After just a couple weeks the plants are looking good!

After just a couple weeks the plants are looking good!

Although I have only met my brother-in-laws one time (hint…hint you should come and visit in RI)
Dallas is way too hot anyhow! We have talked many times on the phone I have come to conclusion that my husband’s family is just a REALLY nice family. The men (dad and three sons) are kind, ethical full of character and integrity and I got to marry one these great guys. And their mom, Peg – well she has to be something special to have raised these amazing sons. So, brother in law Ken recalled that I like to garden and obviously cook and every gardener and chef knows the importance of having fresh herbs on hand. After the post holiday hoopla and doldrums of January set in this year a packaged arrived in the mail and – wow- it was an Aerogarden from brother-in-law Ken and his family. I seriously almost cried – this is something that I have always wanted and suppose it was one of those items that I placed in the “luxury” column of items that I wanted/needed. The Aerogarden is a very cool thing to have in your kitchen. The plants grow right before your eyes and very quickly. I do this with all seedlings – plant them and watch them everyday for the first signs of life. I often quietly cheer them on and give them a little silent round of applause each day that look at them. The Aerogarden came with a seed kit that contained – parsley, basil, purple basil, mint, thyme, dill and chives. It takes about 5-6 weeks for the plants to be at a stage where you can harvest some of them. After some research on the Aerogarden web site I discovered that AG makes a seedling starter insert that will allow 66 seedlings to started and transferred to the outdoors. YEAH! Bring on Spring!

It may be winter here in NE but the fresh herbs were abundant at our home on Saturday as we hosted a great dinner party with friends. The plan is this is the first of many to come in 2009 – a New Years resolution that we could actually keep – to make new friends, get to know the friends we have and spend more surrounded by good people. I really need to put someone in charge of taking pictures. It is really had to serve dinner and take photos. A few pics I took before the dinner and manage to sneak a pic of the salad just before everyone sat down. Here is our men and here are some photos. Many thanks to Rich, Colleen, Jen, Philip, Michelle and Shannon for being our guests. We loved your company!!

Menu

Appetizers served with Prosecco

Roasted Cherry Tomato Crostini with Ricotta, Fresh Basil and Buckwheat Honey drizzle

Cheddar and Thyme Gougeres

Entree and Side Dishes

Roasted Asparagus Salad w/micro greens, lemon vinaigrette, fried sage leaves and Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese

Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb – leg of lamb roasted with lavender, rosemary and garlic

Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Apple Cider Glazed Delicata Squash with Rosemary and Sage

Dessert

Apple Galette with Almond Cream served with Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream

Chocolate Layer Cake served with Lavender Vanilla Ice Cream

Roasted Asparagus Salad

Roasted Asparagus Salad

Chocolate Cake which was served with Lavender Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Cake which was served with Lavender Vanilla Ice Cream

Apple Galette with Almond Cream served with Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream

Apple Galette with Almond Cream served with Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream