I'm just giving in to the Japanese Beetles. I had several Basil plants in various places in the yard. A couple in pots of mixed herbs. It seems that the beetles love this herb. Every plant has been chewed on. I could stand out there all day, dropping the offenders in soapy water...only to turn my back and more would be flying into the plants. Is there something redeeming about Japanese Beetles? To me, they are disgusting little critters. All buzzing around when the plant is disturbed, landing on me occasionally. There they are on top of each other....what are they doing? Is this beetle love? I had hopes of making some nice pesto this year, nice green leaves on top of a sandwich, leaves of green on my Bruschetta, slipped under chicken skin before it goes on the grill, finely chopped leaves in my sauce. I guess I can dream can't I? When I do dream, I hope it's about the basil and not the beetle. The only thing good about them eating my basil is...they are not as prevalent in other parts of the garden. My roses are really not getting chewed on.Here is the recipe that I was going to try...
Greek Roast Chicken
In a small bowl combine:
4 T butter, room temperature
1/2 tsp dried mint
1/4 tsp dried oregano
some fresh basil chopped to taste
Run hands under chicken skin to loosen.
Rub butter mixture under the skin, as well as over the outside of the chicken.
Stuff under the skin over both chicken breasts with:
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted, finely chopped
Season cavity and outside of chicken with:
salt and pepper
Place in lightly oiled small roasting pan and stuff cavity with:
1 lemon, quartered
1 small onion, quartered
1 sprig of fresh basil
Using twine, tie legs together and tuck wing tips under the chicken.
Roast chicken until it registers 170ºF, approximately 1 hour.
Tilt chicken to allow juices from cavity to run into roaster.
Transfer chicken to platter, cover with foil and let stand for 10 minutes, allowing internal temperature to rise.
Spoon fat from surface of pan juices.
Serve chicken with pan juices on the side.
This sounds delicious to me...I may try it on the grill.(I'll have to buy some basil.) So, for those of you who have basil without the bugs...give this one a try ...
Balisha
11 comments:
It sounds yummy I made pesto tonight for dinner. my basil is no where near as beautiful as yours. you made me laugh with beetle love. I hate the suckers too. Husband is on beetle patrol around here. Here to dreaming of basil.
cathy
That sounds wonderful! I didn't know that Japanese beetles liked basil. I have never planted Rose of Sharon because at one house I lived in, I had it and it was a magnet for them. Love the beetle love statement!
Cathy
There comes a time when you just have to surrender to their evilness. I think your basil looks quite nice and that recipe sounds good. If you make it, please let us know how it turns out.
I often stuff a lemon & onion in the cavity of poultry, but I have never tried basil with it. Must remember that.
I love your pots and I have always had good luck with Amazon. I have some basil in my kitchen in a pot. It seems to do o.k. as long as it gets water and light inside. Have a great weekend.
I just love Greek chicken - it's my favorite way to enjoy chicken next to jerk chicken. I could eat one or the other every day and never get tired of them. Even tattered, your basil would still be a great addition to a delicious meal Balisha. :)
My basil always has holes in it, but I have NEVER seen the offenders, so I'm not sure if it's the beetles or something else. I just wash it real good and use it anyway.
This year, however, I wish holes were my problem. I've planted basil twice and nothing has come up. No beet or carrots have come up either, and they were planted twice as well. Every year it's some other issue....one thing or another.
I must try that chicken soon... I have lots of basil. But beetles don't seem to bother it. Maybe try and throw a piece of nylon net over them for a while, hopefully that will work! Have a great weekend!
My basil looks nothing like the picture shown. It is eaten off and only holey nubs are left. I cut some of the leaves off last week and now I see new growth. Maybe in the early fall (when the beetles are gone) I will have a little left. I really babied these plants and wanted to have beautiful herb pictures for my blog as well as beautiful herbs to eat. They don't seem to like Thyme or Oregano, however.
Oh, they are demons! I guess row covers would be the only way to protect the basil, but not easily unless it is planted in rows. I've heard of people growing only the old fashioned roses that bloom once and are through by the time the beetles arrive.
The beatles feast continually on my roses and several other plants.
Have not touch my basil.
Like you I feel like giving up.
They are worse this year then ever before - wonder why...
Balisha, Oh, you know I am right there with ya. I went out today and they had chewed on almost every leaf. They are monsters. I think I have them beat, though. I had a great idea!!
Post a Comment