Thursday

11

September 2014

How To Prep an Eggplant

Written by Rachel, Posted in How To, Menu Planning

I’m a big fan of eggplant. I might not have thought that I’d be saying that a few years ago. I didn’t know how to cook them, so they’d hinder not help dishes. Well now I’m learning. And I like what I’m coming up with.

They can be a bit intimidating at first, but with some practice, trial and error (we have had a few not so yummy Eggplant Parmesans before I knew the salting secret), and a good recipe to try, success can be yours!

I usually start out an eggplant dish by peeling them. You totally don’t have to. It’s just what I like to do. This is one of the only fruits or veggies where I choose not to eat the peel (aside from things like bananas, butternut squash, and watermelon… but I probably didn’t have to say that…).

Don’t worry, you aren’t going to be eating all the salt that you see in the photo. Yikes! I like salty foods, but that would be too much for even me. It’s going to get washed off after the eggplant sits for a while – at least 30 minutes, longer if you have time (even overnight, if you’re prepping way ahead of time). The salt will draw some of the moisture out of the eggplant, reducing the bitterness.

This step is the secret to great eggplant dishes, in my opinion.

After the allotted time has passed, rinse the eggplant off and pat it dry. Then use it to make something delicious!

Eggplant is great with bell peppers, summer squash (or sinqua), and tomatoes, which is why Ratatouille is so yummy. A summer or two ago I deconstructed Ratatouille by battering and frying the eggplant and then making it into a tower. It was fabulous.

Either way, I think you win though.

This summer, instead of frying, I tried thinly slicing and then baking the eggplant into chips, to be dipped into a creamy feta dip.

That was a good idea.

Ooh, or if you wanted to try something sweet, how about adding eggplant to bread?!

I’ve used eggplant instead of noodles in lasagne (you could also use thinly sliced summer squash). You could add them (thinly sliced and par-cooked) to this lasagne in place of the noodles for a gluten-free dish. Or you could try this yummy sounding lasagna where Carol suggests roasting the eggplant first.

Roasted veggies are always a win for me.

And then, there’s my all-time favorite: Melanzane with Pasta (Eggplant with Pasta). It’s such a simple dish. It’s basically just eggplant, garlic, olive oil, and pasta. It was inspired by an Italian friend who told me that his mom makes something like this. Since we haven’t been able to make it to Italy, I tried to bring a little bit of Italy to our home.

Happy Eating!

Friday

22

August 2014

0

COMMENTS

How To Freeze Peaches

Written by Rachel, Posted in Fruit, How To, Kid-Friendly, Storage/Prep

There’s nothing quite like the tangy-sweet taste of a peach. Ok, except maybe a nectarine… they’re pretty similar…

In these hot summer months, I love biting into a super juicy piece of fruit. So juicy that I either have to eat it standing leaned over the sink, or outside. It doesn’t have to be a peach. Watermelon, plums, apricots… they’ll all do the trick.

But, I’m eating a peach as I type this.

I just can’t get enough.

Because of this, it makes sense to me to save some for the winter months, when we’re wondering when we will ever see stone fruit again. It makes sense to always have peaches on hand for Fruit Crisp and topping Tim’s Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

So here’s what I did the other day with part of my twenty pounds of peaches… I halved them, and pulled out the pits (which I’m saving to make some Peach Pit Tea).

You may notice that I left the skins on. If you want to skin them (some say to do this if you’re making peach ice cream, others don’t… it’s up to you), score the bottom with an X, toss whole ripe peaches into a pot of boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then quickly submerge in an ice bath (water and ice in a bowl). Let stand for 15-30 seconds or so, then peel the skin off with your fingers. (This is the same way you’d easily peel tomatoes, by the way.)

Some of the pits were split. That’s fine. Just pull out the pit and if there’s anything pitty still in the peach flesh, scrape it out and discard. (I didn’t save these pits for tea.)

You could stop here and freeze the peaches halved if you want. I sliced them. I got about 8-10 slices per peach. They could then be chopped if you feel like doing a little more prep work ahead of time. But, I figured that it’s not too much work if I want to chop later for a crisp. Plus, I can’t unchop if I decide I want them all sliced again.

If you’d like to toss them with a little bit of lemon juice, that can help with browning. I guess that I worked quick enough that I didn’t have any turn brown, but if you want to be sure, lemon juice usually helps out.

Freezer safe bags or containers are filled up. I used a large measuring cup and got a rough estimate for how much was going in to each bag. Some people like to freeze fruit by laying it flat on a baking sheet, freezing, then putting it into bags. That would be great. But, I was short on time, so I just didn’t fill the bags too full, and have laid them flat in the freezer, in hopes that the slices don’t stick together too much. And if they do, it won’t be a monster sized hunk’o peaches to break apart.

Do whatever works for you.

The sliced peaches can be eaten frozen, as a snack, right out of the freezer. They’d make a great popsicle replacement for a hot summer’s day. If you want to enjoy them with breakfast, thaw in the fridge overnight. They’ll be great with some Greek yogurt in the morning. To use them in a Vegan Fruit Crisp, you could use them frozen, or thaw them in the fridge overnight. If they’re frozen, just increase the baking time a bit.

Peaches go well with strawberries, vanilla, red, white, and sweet wines; pistachios, raspberries, blueberries, cinnamon, cream, ice cream, and oranges.*

I ended up with about 35 cups of sliced peaches. Good for a while I hope… except that Tim has started making homemade ice cream most weekends, and peaches go really well with it.

We may be in trouble here. Maybe we will have to order another twenty pounds just to be saved for our ice cream addiction. 😉

Happy Freezing!

*Ideas for peach parings from The Flavor Bible.

Thursday

14

August 2014

0

COMMENTS

How To Dry and Pair Summer Herbs

Written by Rachel, Posted in Herbs, How To, Storage/Prep

If you walked into my kitchen, at most any time of the year, you’d see herbs at various stages in the drying process.

Usually they start in the fridge, in a glass, with a bit of water in the bottom. This is my favorite way to store fresh herbs, as they will sometimes last a week or two.

Once they’re past their prime, or if I don’t have plans to use them soon, I will wash them and lay them on a clean tea towel to dry. I leave them there for a week or two, or until they’re crispy and crumbly.

Dried herbs are stripped from their stems and stored in a labeled glass jar with a lid.

I have jars filled with most of the herbs we get from Abundant Harvest Organics in my pantry. Fresh is usually best, in my opinion, but I’m always happy to have things like basil and oregano on hand, no matter what state it is in.

We enjoy Italian flavors a lot in our home, so having a jar of an Italian herb blend always comes in handy. It’s perfect for anything from pizzas and calzones, to pastas and soups. This week I combined some of my favorites: basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary.

They are smashed up and mixed together with a mortar and pestle before being stored in a jar for the next time we have Italian inspired pasta (which will probably be tonight).

Since it’s summer right now, let’s talk about a few of the summer herbs that we’ve been getting, and what they will pair well with (I often find ideas for what pairs well together in one of my favorite kitchen tools, The Flavor Bible).

Basil

Herbs Basil Pairs Well With

Chives

Cilantro

Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Thyme

Marjoram

Mint

Foods Basil Pairs Well With

Cheese

Eggs

Garlic

Olive Oil

Fennel

Pasta

Pesto

Tomatoes

Zucchini

Cuisines Basil Can Be Found In

Asian

Italian

Mediterranean

Thai

Vietnamese

Great Ways to Use Basil

Fresh Herb and Dried Tomato Bruschetta

Basil and Summer Squash Risotto

Fresh Fruit and Basil Stuffed French Toast

English Peas with Ricotta and Ham over Pasta

Roasted Stuffed Squash

Oregano

Herbs Oregano Pairs Well With

Basil

Marjoram

Chives

Parsley

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Foods Oregano Pairs Well With

Bell Peppers

Fish

Lemon

Meats

Pasta

Pizza

Tomatoes

Cuisines Oregano Can Be Found In

Greek

Italian

Mediterranean

Mexican

Tex-Mex

Great Ways to Use Oregano

Dried Tomatoes

Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes

Simple Summer Salad

Roasted Stuffed Squash

Sage

Herbs Sage Pairs Well With

Lemon Balm

Lemon Thyme

Thyme

Rosemary

Savory

Parsley

Oregano

Mint

Marjoram

Foods Sage Pairs Well With

Fennel

Beans

Cheese

Chicken

Onions

Pork

Pasta

Stuffing

Eggplant

Cuisines Sage Can Be Found In

European

French

Greek

Italian

Mediterranean

Spanish

Great Ways to Use Sage

Roasted Stuffed Squash

Roasted Lemon Balm Chicken

Sage Pesto

Mint

Herbs Mint Pairs Well With

Basil

Chives

Cilantro

Dill

Lavender

Lemongrass

Lemon Verbena

Marjoram

Parsley

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Foods Mint Pairs Well With

Beans

Chocolate

Cream

Ice Cream

Cucumbers

Fruit

Lamb

Salads

Sugar

Yogurt

Cuisines Mint Can Be Found In

Afghan

Asian

Egyptian

Greek

Indian

Mediterranean

Mexican

Middle Eastern

Moroccan

Thai

Turkish

Vietnamese

Great Ways to Use Mint

Mediterranean Summer Salad

Mint Iced Tea

Indian Spiced Okra

Fun Drinks with Summer Herbs

Happy Eating!

Thursday

24

July 2014

0

COMMENTS

Corn on the Cob

Written by Rachel, Posted in How To, Storage/Prep

Summah summah summah corn corn corn.

My favorite.

As I type this I’m listening to some upbeat, fun music, and sipping an iced coffee with some homemade caramel drizzled in.

For as much as I complain about the heat that I don’t like, I sure do love a lot about summer.

I mean, just this corn alone could convert me.

When I got the email saying that corn was available as an add on I freaked out and wrote back right away so I wouldn’t miss out.

I got two dozen, plus the three ears that were in the small Abundant Harvest Organics box.

Except for one that I used in a stir fry for dinner last night, I decided to process them all today. I didn’t want to risk waiting to long to eat them and having the sugars turn in to starch (meaning not so tasty corn).

The first step, whether it’s being eaten now or later, is shucking the corn.

I shucked 26 cobs pretty quickly. Here’s how.

Pinch a portion of the husk right near the top. Get all the layers down to the cob.

Pull down towards the base, revealing a few rows of kernels. Pull it all the way off.

Take remaining portion of the husk firmly in one hand.

Pull down towards the base. Snap off the husk and stalk at the end and clean off any of the silk that remains.

There are a few ways to prepare the corn for the freezer. The first way is to slice it off the cob, raw.

To do this, I like to use a bundt pan (a small bowl inverted inside a large bowl will also work). Stand the cob up on the middle part of the pan and hold it there with one hand. With the other, slice downward with a sharp knife.

The pan will catch most of the kernels as they fall (try not to slice off in long strips, those are more likely to stick together and fall, hitting the side of the pan and scattering all over the counter, cough cough, I didn’t realize this until partway through).

Now the corn is ready for Tomato Corn and Quinoa Salad, Salmon and Corn Salad, and Shepherd’s Pie of the South.

Another easy way to prepare the corn is to boil the cobs and freeze them whole.

I used my baking cooling racks to cool completely. That way they don’t sit in water and more air circulates around them, cooling them quicker.

Once the cobs are cool they go in to labeled freezer bags. The cobs can be reheated in boiling water or on the barbecue.

If you just can’t wait, enjoy them now, plain, topped with salt and butter, or topped with an herb butter (basil, chives, cilantro, rosemary, and thyme all go well with corn).

Some of my favorite ways to use corn on the cob are:

Grilled with Herb Butter

Raw in Salads (Taco Salad, Salmon and Corn Salad)

Raw in Tomato-Corn Salsa

Boiled (with or without butter and salt, or herb butter)

Ham and Greens Chowder

I would like to try it as:

Crostini with Feta and Herbs

Mixed with cheese and cayenne in a Spicy Grilled Cheese

Added to Guacamole

In Cornbread or Biscuits… it seems like there are endless things that need corn added.

Some yummy corn-binations (see what I did there?!):

corn+bacon+basil+tomato

corn+bell peppers+beef+garlic+potatoes

corn+crab+basil+garlic+lemon juice

corn+tarragon+feta+chicken

A couple of tips:

If there are any grody spots or bugs, just cut those off. The whole cob probably isn’t ruined.

Let the kids help! They can shuck the corn. They could sit on the porch steps or the grass and go to town. If you have a dog, (s)he might enjoy cleaning up, so keep them nearby the kiddos. 😉

Happy Eating!

Thursday

10

July 2014

0

COMMENTS

How To: Fun Drinks with Summer Herbs

Written by Rachel, Posted in Cocktails, Drinks, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, How To, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian

Oh summer herbs.

Right?!

I mean, I can’t get enough of basil and mint right now. So much so that I’ve planted some in my home garden, since I always seem to run out.

And then there’s lavender. I love the smell, have heard that people enjoy it in food and drinks, so I gave it a try too. (Admittedly, it’s not my very favorite thing to eat. But, I think it adds a nice hint in a drink, when strained… I left things in the drinks for the sake of the photos.)

Not only do these drinks use some of my favorite summer herbs, but some of my favorite summer fruits.

Herbs, honey, and fruit are muddled together. You know, when you smuush it and bruise the herbs and smash the lemon.

Muddle muddle muddle. Kinda fun to say.

Now for the parade of drinks.

Lemon Basil (or Mint) Spritzer

1 slice lemon + 4 leaves basil or mint + 1 t honey + 1 t lemon juice + soda water

Muddle lemon, basil or mint, honey, and juice. Add soda water. Strain through a sieve (if desired) and serve over ice with a slice of lemon..

Lavender Lemon Spritzer

1 slice lemon + pinch lavender + 1 t honey + 1 t lemon juice + soda water

Muddle lemon, lavender, honey, and juice. Add soda water. Strain through a sieve and serve over ice with a slice of lemon.

Strawberry Ginger Lemonade

1 slice lemon + 4-5 basil leaves + pinch dried ginger + 2 t honey + 2 frozen strawberries + juice from 1 lemon + soda water

Muddle lemon, basil, ginger, and honey. Strain through a sieve (if desired). Add strawberries, lemon juice, and soda water.

Blueberry Ginger Lemonade

1 slice lemon + 4-5 basil leaves + pinch dried ginger + 2 t honey + 10 frozen blueberries + juice from 1 lemon + soda water

Muddle lemon, basil, ginger, and honey. Strain through a sieve (if desired). Add blueberries, lemon juice, and soda water.

Lavender Lemonade

1 slice lemon + pinch lavender + 2 t honey + 10 frozen blueberries + juice from 1 lemon + soda water

Muddle lemon, lavender, and honey. Strain through a sieve. Add blueberries, lemon juice, and soda water.

Blueberry Basil (or Mint) Mojito

1 slice lemon + 4-5 basil or mint leaves + 1 t honey + 10 frozen blueberries + splash of rum (optional) + soda water

Muddle lemon, basil/mint, and honey. Strain through a sieve (if desired). Add blueberries, rum, and soda water. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon.

Strawberry Basil (or Mint) Mojito

1 slice lemon + 4-5 basil or mint leaves + 1 t honey + 2 frozen strawberries + splash of rum (optional) + soda water

Muddle lemon, basil/mint, and honey. Strain through a sieve (if desired). Add strawberries, rum, and soda water. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon.

Lavender Cream

pinch lavender + dash vanilla extract + 1 t honey + splash milk or cream + soda water

Muddle lavender, vanilla, and honey. Strain through a sieve. Add milk/cream and soda water. Serve over ice.

Peaches and Cream

4-5 basil or mint leaves + few slices of peach + 1 t honey + splash milk or cream + soda water

Muddle basil/mint, peach, and honey. Strain through a sieve. Add milk/cream and soda water. Serve over ice.

Lavender Strawberry Vin

pinch lavender + 1 t balsamic vinegar + 1 t honey + 2 frozen strawberries + soda water

Muddle lavender, vinegar, and honey. Strain through a sieve. Add strawberries and soda water.

Lavender Blueberry Vin

pinch lavender + 1 t balsamic vinegar + 1 t honey + 10 frozen blueberries + soda water

Muddle lavender, vinegar, and honey. Strain through a sieve. Add blueberries and soda water.

I didn’t really need to drink all eleven drinks, so I mixed some (the first seven) of them into one drink and saved it for later.

Note: making eleven different drinks, in eleven different cups, without a dishwasher, means washing and drying eleven different cups. Riiiight. Now I know. 😉

Happy Drinking!

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How To Archive

11

2

How To Prep an Eggplant

Happy Eating!

22

0

How To Freeze Peaches

Happy Freezing!

14

0

How To Dry and Pair Summer Herbs

Basil

Oregano

Sage

Mint

Happy Eating!

24

0

Corn on the Cob

Some of my favorite ways to use corn on the cob are:

I would like to try it as:

Some yummy corn-binations (see what I did there?!):

A couple of tips:

Happy Eating!

10

0

How To: Fun Drinks with Summer Herbs

Happy Drinking!

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