I live for fresh mozzarella and basil, which I usually just dress with a splash of olive oil and some salt.
I start craving FRESH basil with clockwork regularity halfway through February. Pesto is usually enough to squeeze me through until the real stuff starts growing, but nothing can replace real live tomatoes.
I used to have an AeroGarden in my dining room where I grew basil, thyme, mint, oregano and other spices ... until my kitties discovered that they really had a taste for them and started to eat them as they grew.