My Basil Hates Me

Basil and I usually have an ongoing love affair. I buy it fancy fertilizer and see to it that we have some quality happy hour time together. In return, it gives me big, shiny, green leaves that make me gaze lovingly at the fluffy Chiffonade on my cutting board. This year — bad news folks, the love affair is over, my basil hates me! It’s been playing hard-to-get all summer and no amount of purebred, exotic animal dung, nor Miracle Grow cocktails, seem to be able to bring it out of its funk. So my garden hose and I took a break, only showing up about every other night.  Basil barely noticed. 



Pineapple Sage & Clementines-so happy together!



Then I saw my sage. It was over in the corner, nursing the last of its watered down drink. It called my name, asked me my sign and may have even winked at me, so I said, "Whatcha doing later tonight?" “What you dewin?” it said. Good God! My sage is from Jersey?!? Talk about being put on the spot! This was not just your basic fuzzy, Thanksgiving variety that-you-put-in-the-stuffing-sage. Nope, for some crazy reason, this year I planted pineapple sage, so now I had to ask myself, what does one do with pineapple sage? 
     Not about to be intimidated by a little herb (unless that little herb is basil), I picked a handful of the stuff and then rummaged through the pantry and freezer until I came up with the idea of Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Clementine Salsa and…wait for it….Pineapple Sage Orzo. Genius, I know! Cooking note here: Just between you and me, I would have preferred to do a pineapple salsa, but I had some Clementines that were nearing their 'use me or lose me' date, and I hate throwing out food that talks to me, so I had no choice but to comply.

     We were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a wonderful combination! My official life-long taste tester declared that "it didn’t suck", which is code at our table for, "pass the plate, I'll have a second helping, please". 

     And by the way, if basil and pineapple sage ever decide to get in the dirt together, my money says pineapple sage will kick basil's butt!

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Clementine Salsa & Pineapple Sage Orzo

I know pineapple sage isn't likely to be in your grocery store, so if I was to make this dish again (and if my sage was past its prime) I would substitute regular sage and cook the orzo with some pineapple juice added to the water; or add a little of the juice after you pull it off the heat. I think some crushed pineapple added to the orzo would also work. The nice surprise for me was that pineapple and sage make a lovely couple! (Note about the jalapeno oil in this recipe...getcha some! It's delish in a salsa or in mashed potatoes.) Go to the "Seafood" tab at the top of this page to view it. Let me know if like it!