Comments on: Isabella and the Pot of Basil http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/ A Picture is Worth a 1000 Calories Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:13:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Melanie http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-135318 Melanie Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:41:06 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-135318 My grandfather was a framer in Rochester, New York as well as in Cleveland, Ohio back in the early 1900's. When I was very young, I used to stare at a painting that he had hung on his living room wall. It was Isabella and the Pot of Basil. The picture was mysterious to me and I may have asked a relative to identify the person in the picture. I never got a clear answer. In 2003, when my mom passed away, in her belongings was the picture. It was a surprise to find the picture but due to the circumstances of her dying and cleaning out her belongings, I put it to the side to investigate further when I had time. When I looked up the information on line I found the actual painting and the poem about Isabella and the Pot of Basil. I don't know if my grandfather framed the picture as a print for someone or himself or if he got to meet Alexander and got a print from him. The bottom of the picture is a handwritten signature (Alexander) and the title "Pot of Basil" and in very small typewriting is Reinthal L Newman N.Y. I had it reframed even though it is tattered and had two large fold marks. It means a lot to me as I spent a lot of time at my grandmother and grandfather's house. My grandfather was a framer in Rochester, New York as well as in Cleveland, Ohio back in the early 1900′s. When I was very young, I used to stare at a painting that he had hung on his living room wall. It was Isabella and the Pot of Basil. The picture was mysterious to me and I may have asked a relative to identify the person in the picture. I never got a clear answer. In 2003, when my mom passed away, in her belongings was the picture. It was a surprise to find the picture but due to the circumstances of her dying and cleaning out her belongings, I put it to the side to investigate further when I had time. When I looked up the information on line I found the actual painting and the poem about Isabella and the Pot of Basil. I don’t know if my grandfather framed the picture as a print for someone or himself or if he got to meet Alexander and got a print from him. The bottom of the picture is a handwritten signature (Alexander) and the title “Pot of Basil” and in very small typewriting is Reinthal L Newman N.Y. I had it reframed even though it is tattered and had two large fold marks. It means a lot to me as I spent a lot of time at my grandmother and grandfather’s house.

]]> By: Julia http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9153 Julia Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:03:32 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9153 Favorite non-pesto basil recipe. Orzo salad with spinach, basil and grape tomatoes courtesy of Rachael Ray. See link. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/orzo-with-spinach-and-tomatoes-recipe/index.html Note: recipe calls for 2 lemons, zested. Not sure if she means just the zest but I use both the juice AND the zest of 2 whole lemons. Also...make sure you prep/chop the spinach and basil first, because you have to pour the hot orzo over the top to wilt it. If you want to make it greek, you can add feta and kalamata olives...or you can add those small fresh mozzarella balls, sometimes you can find them in tiny pearl shape. This is the best summer salad I have ever had. It is so delicious and refreshing, can be served warm or cold. Enjoy! Favorite non-pesto basil recipe. Orzo salad with spinach, basil and grape tomatoes courtesy of Rachael Ray. See link.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/orzo-with-spinach-and-tomatoes-recipe/index.html

Note: recipe calls for 2 lemons, zested. Not sure if she means just the zest but I use both the juice AND the zest of 2 whole lemons. Also…make sure you prep/chop the spinach and basil first, because you have to pour the hot orzo over the top to wilt it. If you want to make it greek, you can add feta and kalamata olives…or you can add those small fresh mozzarella balls, sometimes you can find them in tiny pearl shape.

This is the best summer salad I have ever had. It is so delicious and refreshing, can be served warm or cold. Enjoy!

]]> By: Julia http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9152 Julia Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:55:29 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9152 Does anyone know the name of the receptacle that you drink the cava out of at Tapeo? I think it's called a "brouge" or something. Anyway, it's this hand blown glass carafe, with a very long thin spout. They fill it with cava (spanish sparkling wine) and you have to hold it a certain way an arms length from your face and "try" to get it into your mouth. It is hilarious. I was introduced to this about 5 years ago with 4 other women and it was hilarious, somewhat like a wet t-shirt contest, but it takes practice! We were all hootin' and hollerin'. It's fun, you must try. Does anyone know the name of the receptacle that you drink the cava out of at Tapeo? I think it’s called a “brouge” or something. Anyway, it’s this hand blown glass carafe, with a very long thin spout. They fill it with cava (spanish sparkling wine) and you have to hold it a certain way an arms length from your face and “try” to get it into your mouth. It is hilarious. I was introduced to this about 5 years ago with 4 other women and it was hilarious, somewhat like a wet t-shirt contest, but it takes practice! We were all hootin’ and hollerin’. It’s fun, you must try.

]]> By: Susie http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9145 Susie Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:49:33 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9145 Oh and that artwork? HAUNTINGLY beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Oh and that artwork? HAUNTINGLY beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Susie http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9143 Susie Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:45:43 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9143 Oh I love Tapeo. Though the last time I was there after drinking some of that delicious sangria... and by some I mean a couple pitchers (theya re small pitchers, people!)... I stood up and had to sit back down. Immediately. Whew! I love pizza margherita too. YUM. But I think I know what I want Carrie to make next time I visit. WOwsers... Also - I got my Pops! book yesterday!!! thanks again! Oh I love Tapeo. Though the last time I was there after drinking some of that delicious sangria… and by some I mean a couple pitchers (theya re small pitchers, people!)… I stood up and had to sit back down. Immediately. Whew!

I love pizza margherita too. YUM. But I think I know what I want Carrie to make next time I visit. WOwsers…

Also – I got my Pops! book yesterday!!! thanks again!

]]> By: Donald http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9137 Donald Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:33:10 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9137 Great story and pic. Basil is one of my favorite herbs. I like it in homemade tomato soup but my all time fav is pizza Margherita. Simple, basic, but oh so tasty. Great story and pic.

Basil is one of my favorite herbs. I like it in homemade tomato soup but my all time fav is pizza Margherita. Simple, basic, but oh so tasty.

]]> By: Allen http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9130 Allen Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:32:46 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9130 Oh my -- I love basil ... but not sure if I'll ever look at it quite the same way again :-) Glad to hear CK's head is still on his shoulders! One of my favorite ways to enjoy basil is in panzanella (aka bread salad). Last night I made a summer squash quiche with mushrooms and basil and recently I tried blending basil with a bit of olive oil to slather on ears of sweet corn. I don't think there's a bad way to use basil ... it goes so well with everything! Oh my — I love basil … but not sure if I’ll ever look at it quite the same way again :-) Glad to hear CK’s head is still on his shoulders!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy basil is in panzanella (aka bread salad). Last night I made a summer squash quiche with mushrooms and basil and recently I tried blending basil with a bit of olive oil to slather on ears of sweet corn. I don’t think there’s a bad way to use basil … it goes so well with everything!

]]> By: Cze-Johnson Carrie http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9121 Cze-Johnson Carrie Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:25:30 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9121 I like the painting as well. how very cool. as for recipes.. I JUST had a drink last night that wasn't too bad.. a bit sweet, though, so perhaps as an ice pop or a shot? anyways, it was called a Green Pear.... bourbon, pear puree, basil and lime juice. refreshing, but again.. a bit sweet for my tastes. I also like taking veal scallopini, pounding flat, season with salt and pepper, then top with basil, roasted red peppers, and buffalo or smoked mozzarella. roll up, wrap in pancetta, then fry in a little garlic infused olive oil. when roll-ups are cooked... remove, add white wine to oil/juices... reduce, then toss in fresh spinach to cook/coat with sauce. it's some work, but the flavors together really rock. I like the painting as well. how very cool.

as for recipes.. I JUST had a drink last night that wasn’t too bad.. a bit sweet, though, so perhaps as an ice pop or a shot? anyways, it was called a Green Pear…. bourbon, pear puree, basil and lime juice. refreshing, but again.. a bit sweet for my tastes.

I also like taking veal scallopini, pounding flat, season with salt and pepper, then top with basil, roasted red peppers, and buffalo or smoked mozzarella. roll up, wrap in pancetta, then fry in a little garlic infused olive oil. when roll-ups are cooked… remove, add white wine to oil/juices… reduce, then toss in fresh spinach to cook/coat with sauce.

it’s some work, but the flavors together really rock.

]]> By: Melanie http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9119 Melanie Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:51:02 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9119 This is completely obvious, I know, but my favorite way to use basil is in Caprese salad. Slice up some ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and layer those, tear up some fresh basil and throw it on, sprinkle some sea salt, pour some balsamic vinegar (or just olive oil if you'd rather), and you're good. Oh, and bruschetta. Can't forget that. :-) This is completely obvious, I know, but my favorite way to use basil is in Caprese salad. Slice up some ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and layer those, tear up some fresh basil and throw it on, sprinkle some sea salt, pour some balsamic vinegar (or just olive oil if you’d rather), and you’re good.

Oh, and bruschetta. Can’t forget that. :-)

]]> By: Dayna http://erincooks.com/isabella-and-the-pot-of-basil/#comment-9118 Dayna Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:19:23 +0000 http://erincooks.com/?p=251#comment-9118 wow amy's mojito sounds tasty! love the story on the pot of basil - I will be thinking the next time I walk past my basil plants. I hope to be eating this in the coming weeks - bagel toasted, with cream cheese, fresh seasonal tomato, topped with basil. wow amy’s mojito sounds tasty!

love the story on the pot of basil – I will be thinking the next time I walk past my basil plants.

I hope to be eating this in the coming weeks – bagel toasted, with cream cheese, fresh seasonal tomato, topped with basil.

]]>