Basil

Fresh basil is an essential ingredient for many pizzas and many Italian brick oven dishes. And buying fresh bunches of basil and get pricey. Our solution was to always have at least on pot of basil growing in a window near the kitchen -- or near the oven. When first coming to Italy we were happily surprise to see how common these fresh herb gardens are. In the summer, a 6" pot of fresh basil cost about 1 Euro, less than cut fresh basil.

Get a couple of Basil plants at Home Depot and put them in a pot with nice potting soil. Find a sunny spot, don't forget to water, and you will be rewarded and thrill to have bunches for fresh basil any time you want. Our experience is that you should have a pot near the kitchen, even if you are growing basil in your vegetable garden. You will like having it handy.

Hints and Tips
Cut your basil leave with scissors to go fast. If you have your round pizza cutter and a cutting handy, gently roll the leaves into a tube, and cut slivers with the pizza cutter.