Welcome to My Kitchen

Last fall, a basil plant kept growing in a patio container. Due to inattention on my part, it went to seed. Now I have a nice little patch of minuscule seedlings sprouting up. If I remember to cover them at night, I should have plenty to transplant.

Basil is a versatile herb, sliced or chopped fresh in salads or garnish, simmered in soups and sauces or baked into quiches and casseroles. With starter plants already in many garden shops, this herb is easy to have fresh for any recipe, as basil grows nicely as a houseplant.

Tomato Basil Soup is a classic, with many seasoning variations. A recipe...