Once of my favourite blog discoveries for 2012 is A Fresh Legacy. It's the perfect mix of simple recipes and gardening - two of my favourite things around the house these days. A few weeks ago Krystal put up a post about growing tomatoes...something I have had NO luck with to date...that included some yummy ideas for using up those home grown tomatoes. One of those recipes was for these super simple Pastry Squares that use Pesto on the base. Bingo!
The recipe also called for some fresh parsley and rocket - two things I could step out of my backdoor and pick. I have to say that both rocket and parsley are SUPER easy to grow, and if you're thinking of planting a few pots this could be a great place to start.
That said, my rocket was coming to the end of its life and was pulled up after I made this meal. I *think* those white patches on the leaves could be sunburn, or perhaps a side affect of the Pyrethrum I've been spraying the garden with to help combat those hungry caterpillars that love my place so much.
The Pastry Squares go into the oven topped with pesto, tomatoes (sadly store bought in my case), bocconcicni and parsley. After they come out of the oven they get a smattering of rocket and a drizzle of balsamic.
I also used up a good hunk of the rocket in a little side salad...man what a tasty lunch! I don't recommend making it on a day though when it's nearly 35 degrees in the kitchen like I did...blergh.
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I love rocket on pizza and bread and salad.. actually I quite like rocket. It seems to always help balance things out, especially when you have a lot of strong flavours. One of my fav salads would def have to beetroot, rocket, pine nuts and a squeeze of either lemon or balsamic! Soo refreshing!
ReplyDeleteI love rocket too...so peppery. I just found out recently there's a few different types (wild rocket for example looks different but has that similar peppery taste).
DeleteYou are cooking up a storm Miss Piggy, yum!
ReplyDeleteI know, but I always seem to turn the oven on when it's HOT outside.
DeleteOh yum, those pesto squares look delicious!! Clever Piggy
ReplyDeleteThanks...they're a nice vego lunch that's for sure.
DeleteThis looks awesome! Very Italian of you Mel ;) I'm loving all your garden adventures!
ReplyDeleteyum! i just made some homemade pesto and gnocchi to go with it. i didnt think to add rocket to it tho!
ReplyDeleteYum - those pastry pizzas look delish. I love rocket on almost everything... haven't tried to grow it yet though.
ReplyDeleteHomemade pesto beats anything you can purchase hands down. I am still mighty jealous of your balcony garden.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am thrilled to be mentioned by you Miss Piggy! Thanks so much for the shout out. Your balcony garden is a great inspiration to those who do not have garden space to grow in. Keep going, it is easier each season as you learn what works and what does not for you. Kyrstie x
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