Six pots of three different kinds of basil are dotted about our balcony. In Greece basil is more of a religious symbol than a culinary herb, but that doesn't stop F from using ours in her food.
It smells kind of peppery. Its discarded leaves give the dust angels a distinct scent when F sweeps the balcony in the mornings.
It is reputed to keep mosquitoes away. Reputed. Good sales pitch, especially here. It doesn't work, but hey it smells nicer than some of the chemical attempts at repelling mozzies.
Basil is the Greek word for king. I get called The King quite a bit by various fans. That puzzled F for a while. I bear no resemblance to Elvis (I knew a cat called Elvis once, and I definitely don't look like him; in fact he was a lot like Cousin Byron.).
It might simply be my rock star status....
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| Just call me The King.... |
(NB - someone explained to F that children here get referred to as The King or The Queen, and apparently calling me that is like saying I'm F's baby. Grrrrrr. I'm F's boss, employer, finder of lost things, loser of things that can be batted about.... killer of mice, Donkey driver and general companion. No baby me.)
Oh, I have basil envy. Yours look huge and super healthy. Mine are pathetic spindly little things.
ReplyDeleteWe saw some in a little square on Poros last time we were there that were about 10 feet tall. F didn't know it grows that big, and now wonders whether there were plants growing out of some clever sort of tower. She did check at the time and it appeared to be one plant - it just didn't seem natural. The basil plants available in UK don't seem to have been chosen for their ability to thrive in the climate there.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the ruler of your domain, that is what you are Basil..errr.. Tigger... hugs and whiskeries, YAM-aunty xxx
Quite so Yam-Aunty. Furrings and purrings Mr T (The King).
DeleteRex, basil, king, all same! I use both Thai and Italian basil a lot. Right now it's time for caprese salad -- home grown basil with local farm tomatoes and fresh made if possible mozzarella. Annual treat, the first one of the year.
ReplyDeleteI thought The King fit because most kings are carried through the streets in carriages and you ride in donkey. I think you are The King of Your Kingdom and F is your slave amongst all the things you listed that are also true. I once bought a rotisserie chicken without reading the label carefully and it was basil. Bob had to eat the chicken because one bite and I said NOT FOR ME. Herbs are not my thing, my flavor buds are extreme I think. I can't eat onions for the same reason. I even ask Bob to peel or slice his own onions because the smell drives me nuts and sticks to my fingers all day long. the plants are lovely and healthy.
ReplyDeleteYou were right in your comment about the bolts from the sky being the danger. as long as they are out there we don't walk. we both walk well in drizzling rain as long as there are no bolts.
Love the smell of basil.
ReplyDeleteEven if it doesn’t keep the mossies away. It make me feel happy every time I get a whiff of it
i keep getting accused of peeing in the kitchen when it is simply that mrs d. has bought a new basil plant in a pot - they are so smelly. phoebe.
ReplyDeleteAnd you and I know Phoebe - that there is no resemblance whatsoever between the smell of basil and our fragrant (and informative) pee. xxx Mr T
DeleteI am envious of those beautiful plants. I did not have time to devote to a garden this year, but I already have my seeds for my garden next year!
ReplyDeleteGail loves basil and is now wondering if it also acts as a midge repellent.
ReplyDeleteNobby, tell Gail that basil doesn't repel anything.
DeleteOur neighbour Vaso used to have pots of really tall basil, but not ten feet, more like 3-4 feet tall. She told me it's a special kind, winter basil I think its called, which will last years if properly looked after. She's a whizz with plants.
ReplyDeleteI usually have three sorts, the really small leaf which I use in cooking , the medium leaf and the large leaf. I don't like the flavour of the other two. How many times I've been told that it keeps away mosquitoes. Rubbish. But it does smell nice. I'm de flowering mine so it doesn't go to seed. This searingly hot weather has dried it up quickly this year. I'm now trying to keep a few pots of mint going. The mint in the garden is not at all happy
These humans just need to accept that they are only ever in the servitude of a cat. Arilx
ReplyDeleteWhat does Mr T think of the basil though? He might be more into catnip or catgrass more.
ReplyDelete