It's Fun Trying Many Varieties of Tomatoes! I used to think a homegrown, local tomato was heavenly -- and, I still do! But, lately I'm getting more fun out of summer tomatoes by trying different varieties. The Cherokee Purple tomato, shown at left, is actually purple-ish on the outside and inside. Amish Paste is another to try as is Brandywine. I suggest your local Farmer's Market if you are ready to have some fun with tomato varieties! Making Easy Meals with Tomatoes! 1. Cold Tomato Sandwich Meal: Spread fresh sourdough or whole grain bread with light mayo or mustard. Cut a fresh, … [Read more...] about Easy Tomato Meals for Summer!
How to Cook Eggplant & Easy Eggplant Recipe
Cooking with Eggplant I've always thought eggplant has a kind of mystique surrounding it. Is it the deep purple color? Is it the name? Or, is it that many people are confused with how to cook eggplant? If you're confused, then it's time to get to the grocery store or local farm market, buy an eggplant and give it a try! To Peel or Not to Peel It's not hard to prepare and cook eggplant. First, rinse eggplant well with cool water. The next step is to peel or not to peel it and either way works. Next, cut eggplant into chunks or rounds and cook it. Some chefs give eggplant a striped look … [Read more...] about How to Cook Eggplant & Easy Eggplant Recipe
Corn Makes Meals Sweet from Ear to Ear!
The History of Corn Corn on the cob has been a favorite of mine since way back. What about you? Did you know that corn originated thousands of years ago in central Mexico? Today, it is a major food staple around the world. Ways to Prepare Corn Corn is a colorful, nutrient-rich, versatile grain that lends itself to hot and cold recipes. Here are 2 quickies: 1. Corn Pancakes: Make a simple pancake batter from baking mix or scratch ingredients. Before cooking, add a cup of corn kernels. Cook. 2. Grilled Corn: Peel off corn husks. Sprinkle a little water onto each ear and wrap … [Read more...] about Corn Makes Meals Sweet from Ear to Ear!
Summer Vegetable Surprises & How to Cook Them!
My Surprises this Week! Normally, I have a pretty good grasp on identifying summer vegetables. In fact, I love to learn about and try new varieties of local favorites like kale or leaf lettuce or tomatoes. But this week, I was surprised 3 times by summer vegetables. Elephant garlic caught me off-guard with its mild flavor and huge cloves; blue potatoes amazed me when the color didn't disappear in the pot; and Turkish orange eggplants (see photo to the left) totally fooled me at the Farmer's Market. Cooking with Summer Vegetables! It can be a little overwhelming to put 1 or 2 brand new … [Read more...] about Summer Vegetable Surprises & How to Cook Them!
Strawberry Apple Crisp is a Healthy Dessert!
Fruit for Dessert Strawberries or apples make a healthy dessert - all by themselves. But, if you're like me, you crave a 'real dessert' sometimes, too. I decided to dress up dinner beyond the ordinary this week with my invention of Strawberry Apple Crisp. Oh my, was it tasty! If you crave blueberries, then try my Blueberry Crisp Recipe, too. Strawberry Apple Crisp is a Healthy Dessert My healthy dessert is a combination of local, fresh strawberries and Granny Smith apples with an oatmeal-based topping. Yes, there is a little butter and a little sugar in the recipe; however, my fruit … [Read more...] about Strawberry Apple Crisp is a Healthy Dessert!
Summer Basil Pesto – It’s All About the Ingredients!
Quality Ingredients Matter If you ask me, the quality of ingredients really matters when making a great summer basil pesto. Why? Because each ingredient contributes to the flavor you experience when you roll it around in your mouth and over your tongue. Let's look one-by-one at the ingredients in a super tasty basil pesto made in the summertime. If you need a recipe, here's my recipe for summer basil pesto. Fresh Basil: The very best basil for pesto is what you grow yourself. It's really fun to grow fresh herbs - and easy, too. Basically, you need to find a sunny spot in your … [Read more...] about Summer Basil Pesto – It’s All About the Ingredients!