This is the perfect time of year to watch your garden grow.  Folks at Harwood Place in Wauwatosa do just that and then some.

The residents at this senior independent living facility take full advantage of their herb garden in the courtyard. You can taste the fruits of the labor in just about everything they eat and drink.

Believe it or not Harwood Place has its own mixologist on site.  I stopped by the facility during today's recipe where he made Pesto and a few drinks.  Those recipes are listed below.

Harwood Place –Cooking with Herbs Segment

Fresh mint Strawberry lemonade (with or w/out alcohol).

1 Squeezed Lemon

1 Table Spoon Sugar

2 Table Spools Strawberry Puree

Mint Leaves

Scoop of Ice

5 oz Water

Put all ingredients in a shaker and shake for 20-30 seconds 

Fresh Parsley Pesto

2 cups chopped parsley leaves

¾ cup toasted pine nuts, toasted slivered almonds or walnuts

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In the bowl of a food processor, add the nuts and parsley leaves. Pulse a couple times to crush the nuts. Add the garlic and parmesan cheese to the bowl and process until well mixed. Add the lemon juice. While the processor is on add the oil in a slow steady stream until smooth. Season to taste with salt and course ground black pepper.

Notes:

 Pine nuts are much higher in fat and calories than almonds.

Almonds are also higher in protein than pine nuts.