Recipes
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Coconut Oil Lip Balm
Coconut oil lip balm is a quick and easy at home project. I absolutely cannot live without lip balm. The dry air of the California central valley has me applying coats all day long. Several years ago, I started making my own in hopes of finding a more natural and frugal alternative to store bought chapstick. Making your own lip balm is actually way cheaper than buying store bought. You may have to make a few investments in ingredients up front, but they will last a long time. This recipe is for a very simple beginner’s balm. You will need: Chapstick Tubes or Tins A medium sized cooking pot A…
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Fresh Spearmint Tea
There is nothing quite as special as harvesting fresh herbs and using them right away. One of my favorite ways to use herbs from the garden is in a fresh spearmint tea. The minty leaves will be full of essential oils, giving the tea a rich, buttery feel. I learned to do this from the grandma of a family I stayed with in Southern France. Only, she had peppermint in her garden. I’m a bit envious as every time I’ve tried to grow peppermint something has eaten it. So I stick to my well established spearmint. Preparation: Cut a hand full of spearmint (or other garden mint). Rinse well in cool…
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Protein Pancakes
Protein pancakes are a perfect way to start the day. I love eating a huge American breakfast on the weekends, especially before working in the garden or going for a hike. A protein and carb dense breakfast is the ideal way to prep your body for an intense day. My cowboy uncle always makes his pancakes from scratch. He doesn’t use a recipe, just tosses in the ingredients by heart. So, when Costco stopped carrying my favorite pancake mix, I looked around at other stores for something comparable. All the box mixes were disappointing, unhealthy, and expensive. Inspired by my uncle, I decided to start making my own protein pancakes…
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Basil & Artichoke Hummus
This is a perfect recipe to use summertime basil abundance. Healthy and delicious, this hummus is convenient because only a few ingredients need to be fresh. You may already have most of the other ingredients in your pantry! To learn more about growing and harvesting your own basil at home, check out this post on sweet basil. And now to the recipe: Ingredients 1 Can White Beans or Chick Peas 1 Can Artichoke Hearts 1/4 Cup Tahini 1/4 Cup Olive Oil 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves 1 Lemon (squeezed) 1 Clove Garlic 1 tsp Cumin 1/2 tsp Salt Instructions: Drain and rinse the canned beans. Drain the artichoke hearts. Combine…
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Ninja Salsa
It’s summertime and my garden is ripe with juicy reds. My favorite way to use abundant tomatoes is to make salsa. I have always made salsa in the blender, whether using fresh ingredients or canned. Using a Ninja blender or food processor to blend the ingredients for salsa is easy, quick, and delicious. Ingredients: 3 Tomatoes 1 Onion 1 Garlic Clove 1/2 Cup Cilantro 1 Lime 2-3 Jalapeños or Serrano Peppers Salt & Pepper Instructions: Add the first four ingredients and blend. Cut large tomatoes or onions in half or quarters to blend quicker. Squeeze the lime over the blender, letting all the juice fall in. Add the hot peppers…
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Fresh Oregano Pesto
This recipe is adapted from my mother’s. She came up with it to use some of our abundance. Three years ago, I brought home a little baby oregano plant from the nursery. I planted it in my herb row, between the spearmint and thyme. That plant is now the biggest, busiest with bees, bush in my garden. She also dries some of the oregano to add to soups and sauces. To read more about harvesting and using this herb see my post on Oregano. Ingredients: 1 Cup Fresh Oregano Leaves 1/2 Cup Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese 1/2 Cup Raw Almonds 1/2 Cup Olive Oil 1 Garlic Clove Salt Black Pepper…
