ay shiso!

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you know shiso, the garnish on sushi plates that you throw away? Well, in today's decisions-that-seemingly-don't-make-sense, I've finally gotten around to planting these in my backyard "garden." And by planting I mean passing this packet of seeds that's been in a drawer for six months to my boyfriend and asking him to read the directions and do it. 

Shiso is a leaf with a bad rep for no reason. It's light and delicious and makes a great addition to at-home sushi, salads and even lemonade. Use it as a surprise herb in just about anything you'd make with mint or basil. 

I bought this packette at Tortoise General Store, a SUPER NICE Japanese lifestyle boutique on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles. They're packaging is beautiful and it turns out their website has some really nice little grouped seed bundles for your garden - I'm tempted to get the Tropical Garden package. Because, duh, we're in the tropics and Japanese tropical leaves and berries sound like just the thing to get my feet wet in gardening. Always taking the easy way, you know?