Broad bean perfection

Just a small post to present you this picture of a broad bean or fava bean, just before preparing it into a bean spread with lemon and pecorino cheese. Great on toast or a bruschetta as a starter or lunch.

I love the way nature found a way to protect the bean from cold and harshness. Can you see the fluffy interior of the pod? Amazing.

I'll publish the recipe for the spread later this week. I forgot to take a picture because I was too obsessed with eating it. Luckily, I have a sourdough starter bubbling up right now, I think the spread will be perfect on a fresh loaf of sourdough bread. So, I'll make a new batch this week!

Next summers herb garden

I have my own herb garden for some years now. Lucky as I am with a small city garden, I grow tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, sage and other essentials in my own garden. Imagine a summer barbeque with not only home-marinated meats and fish, but also with lemonade with green limes and freshly cut mint leaves. 
Now, in mid winter, my garden is covered with snow. But I can't keep myself from making plans for next summer!

For sure, I am going to grow my own tomatoes again. I learned by now that I have to be modest. While my cherry tomatoes are sweet and delicious, larger sorts simply don't get enough sun here in Holland. Another thing I want to do again is try and grow more strawberries. Although I only have two strawberry plants, the taste of just one homegrown strawberry definately wins from a whole pack of strawberries from the supermarket.

What I haven't got yet is a laurel plant. Delicious for stews. Last year I grew my own sage plants, I hope they will last through wintertimes. Otherwise, I will grow some new plants.
Nasturtium is a plant I am certainly going to grow again. This summer, I preserved the seeds of this flowering plant in vinager, laurel, garlic and peppercorn. A great alternative for capers!
I can't wait for summer!