Do you have favourite herbs, the ones you wouldn’t be without in the garden or kitchen? I love rosemary and sage in the winter, the fresh leaves of parsley and coriander in spring, but for the best of summer herbs- it has to be basil. Basil is a real summer herb, while others can be kept going through the winter, basil needs warmth and sunshine to grow well and taste good.
And being as summer can be all too short in these parts, especially this year, we need to make the most of the fabulous flavour that basil brings to a dish. It makes great pesto, and is a perfect partner for ripe tomatoes. Add some sweet, ripe peaches to the tomato and basil mix and you have a salsa that’s just singing with summer flavours. It’s good with cheese – try it with grilled halloumi, or with a slice of creamy Lancashire. And spooned onto a slice of toasted baguette it makes fantastic crostini.
Being as this is very simple, and also seasonal, it’s going to be my offering for this month’s Simple and in Season over at Fabulicious Food. If you’re needing for some inspiration for summer cooking, this could be a good place to look!
Grilled tomato & peach salsa
5 medium tomatoes
1 ripe peach
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 sprigs of thyme, leaves only
freshly ground black pepper
1tsp balsamic vinegar
12 basil leaves
sea salt
Cut the tomatoes in half and put cut side up in a baking dish. Cut the peach into quarters, removing the stone, and add them to the baking dish. Sprinkle the tomatoes and peach with olive oil, thyme leaves and a good grinding of black pepper. Put under a medium to hot grill and cook for about 10 minutes – until the tomatoes are hot and the peaches are starting to brown slightly.
When they are cool enough, roughly chop the tomatoes and peaches. Put the pieces in a small bowl, add the balsamic vinegar and torn basil leaves and give everything a gentle stir to mix well. Season with salt, and more pepper if needed, to taste.
The Garden Deli 
Yummy! Basil is definitely my favourite summer herb too.
Fresh, home-grown basil is one of the best things about summer!
You always combine things so beautifully! I love salsa but have never thought of adding peach to it… mmm x
Thank you! I got into making lots of salsas with fruit last summer – mango, chilli and coriander is really good too.
Oh this is just my kind of food. I love it! So colourful, healthy and delicious. Would you also consider linking it up to the One Ingredient Challenge which I co-host with Working London Mummy? She is hosting this month and it happens to be “Peaches”!! Would make a
great entry :))x
Thanks Laura! I’ve been following the One Ingredient Challenge and was planning to enter this month – the only reason I hadn’t linked this was because I have another peach recipe to post next week…
I have never thought to combine tomatoes with peaches. Interesting combination which now I want to try immediately – I particularly like the idea of eating it with haloumi which I really enjoy with things with both sweetness and acidity.
I hadn’t tried peaches and tomatoes together before either – it’s a good combination!
It’s funny what you were saying about Basil in the beginning. I have a couple of potted Basil plants growing in my room by the window. But this summer we’ve had runs of lots and lots of rain and I do notice a distinct difference in the taste of the leaves after one of those spells.
Michael
Maybe, like with other herbs, a bit of warmth and sunshine prompts the basil to produce more oils and alters the flavour?
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