May 2015

Six Memorial Day Recipes

May 25, 2015 // 0 Comments

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES, GARLIC AND OLIVE OIL 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, chopped and seeded 4 garlic cloves 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil 1/2 cup olive oil 3 cups of hot, cooked pasta, ziti, rigatoni, or rotini Combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, salt and oil in a large bowl. Cover and set [ ...click to read more ]

Quick and Easy Guide to Starting a Garden Plot

May 24, 2015 // 1 Comment

Healthy soil is a complex ecosystem containing roots, rotting organic matter, minerals, earthworms, bacteria and a myriad of other living organisms. An ideal home for your future herbs and vegetables ! You will want to keep your soil this way, and not put in herbicides or other chemical weed killers when you start a [ ...click to read more ]

Dandelions — Food and Medicine

May 14, 2015 // 6 Comments

I don’t think of them as weeds. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, with a mild flavor akin to spinach (leaves develop a bitter taste as they mature). The root, which has a sharp, bitter taste may be brewed into an infusion after washing and drying. This infusion promotes bile secretion, and is often [ ...click to read more ]

Tips on Cooking With Herbs

May 9, 2015 // 2 Comments

When using herbs in salad dressings, allow the flavors to mellow ten minutes before serving. Work the flavors of herbs into meat, poultry, and fish by rubbing the herbs with your hands before cooking. The warmth of your hands will release the herbal oils. Bouquets of fresh herbs can be placed in jars or [ ...click to read more ]

May Recipes

May 9, 2015 // 2 Comments

Herb Vinegars Tarragon and Red Wine Vinegar 20 fresh tarragon leaves 10 juniper berries 2 cups red wine vinegar Place tarragon and berries in a clean 16 ounce glass jar. Slowly pour in the vinegar, cap the jar and store it in a cool dark place. Allow the flavors to mellow a few days before using. Rice Vinegar With [ ...click to read more ]

Basil ~ King of Herbs

May 3, 2015 // 1 Comment

Basil – Ocimum basilicum – Lamiaceae or mint family Basil is a warm season annual herb with leafy stems. The leaves are very fragrant and used in a variety of dishes and herbal teas. Basil loves full Sun, fertile soil and grows best in a temperature range between 80-95 degrees. Basil does well in the [ ...click to read more ]

Herbal Pharmacy – 7

May 1, 2015 // 1 Comment

Photo of Tabebuia impetiginosa (Pau d’arco). Sage ~ Salvia officinalis [ Hot flashes ] Traditionally used to reduce hot flashes. Sage is not only a popular culinary herb, but also widely used as a remedy for hot flashes. The plant is rich in tannins, giving it astringent properties and supporting its use to [ ...click to read more ]