🏡 Living | My summer begins with the scent of basil

When I step out onto the balcony in the morning and touch the basil leaves, a fresh, green scent drifts from my fingertips.
That alone makes me feel the arrival of summer.

　***

One of the joys of Golden Week in our home is planting herb and vegetable seedlings on the balcony.

The seedling I buy every year without fail is sweet basil.

If you place the pot in a sunny spot and water it, the plant grows taller before you know it.

Once the rainy season passes, its growth accelerates, and the refreshing scent of the basil becomes stronger.

When that happens, I realize that the hot, dazzling summer has arrived.

　***

The other day, I planted two seedlings in a small planter.

They are still small and fragile, but I will take care of them so they don't wither, in anticipation of the summer harvest.

Planting basil makes morning watering fun.

Watching the plants and leaves grow bigger day by day also brightens my mood.

Once the leaves get big, even during the rainy season, I harvest them little by little, and they are a great addition to salads and as a topping for dishes.

The happiness of the moment when I cut the stem, leaving the side shoots, and breathe in the scent of basil to fill my nostrils.

When I bring it into the kitchen, it instantly feels like summer.

I add freshly picked basil to simple salads or fish and meat dishes.

Doing so releases a refreshing aroma, and that alone makes an ordinary dish feel just a little bit special.

In particular, the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and sweet basil is the best.

Arrange them on a plate, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and your caprese is ready.

It is even better if you have a crisp, dry white wine.

　***

Sweet basil is sold at supermarkets, but in our home, we source it from our balcony.

During the season, I propagate it from cuttings, so there is more than enough to eat every day.

This year, I think I will try making homemade basil sauce as well.

　***

Even in the limited space of an apartment balcony, you can be surrounded by the scent of basil, touch the soil, and enjoy the season.

Such small greenery creates my summer pleasures.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Please feel free to leave comments or thoughts😊