by Lois Lawrence

Created on: June 08, 2008

The growing season in most of the country is well underway and, with only a quick trip to the patio container garden, we can finally enjoy ribbons of fresh basil on our tomatoes and grassy chive clippings in our omelets.

While we are savoring the bounty from our herb gardens, why not give some thought to incorporating herbs in the dessert menu?

We all enjoy a bit of rosemary on our roast of spring lamb, but few of us ever look for it in our sweets. Consider making a simple syrup by stirring equal parts sugar and rieseling wine in a saucepan. Once the sugar begins to melt, add the zest of one orange and a teaspoon of fresh rosemary stripped from the stem. When the sugar is completely melted, strain the mixture, then add fresh pears and cook until tender. Serve over store-bought pound cake and drizzle on extra syrup.

For an unexpected treat, try assembling a platter of fresh fruits, each infused with its own herbal surprise. First, combine fresh pineapple chunks with chopped cilantro. In the center, place a bowl of sliced strawberries with fresh-ground black pepper and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Next, arrange a narrow wedges of watermelon topped with chopped basil. Finally, round out the presentation with orange segments which have been marinated in their own juices with some finely chopped lemon thyme. Try it as well in a fresh panna cotta.

Herbs also add interest to ice creams and sorbets. Bay leaf adds richness and dimension to any dessert flavored with vanilla. Try adding some to your basic ice cream custard. Simply remove the bay leaves before putting the mixture in your freezer. Culinary lavendar also adds a special deminsion to vanilla or sweet cream ice cream. Try either flavor or both as an enhancement to rice pudding, bread pudding, or custard.

For a surprising sorbet, cook one bag of cranberries in 1 cups of water sweetened with 1 cup of sugar. Add three or four sprigs of lemon thyme, and the zest of two oranges. When the cranberries have popped, strain the mixture through a sieve, and freeze in your ice cream maker or in an ice cube tray scraping every few hours until the mixture is evenly frozen.

Trivia buffs might know that bananas are technically an herb. As a sweet and nutritious treat, make a banana smoothie by blending one sliced banana, chopped pineapple sage, a tablespoon of honey and a cup of yogurt.

Familiar flavors bring comfort, while new flavors bring excitement. Doesn't everyone yearn for a little of both?

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