Wonderful News! The broccoli and cauliflower are beginning to grow heads. The peas are climbing and carrots are growing. The bean plants are looking great. The potato vines are reaching for the sun. The squash, pumpkins, corn, and watermelon are coming along. We’ve got red romaine, spring mix lettuce, tomato plants, and pepper plants growing in our hoop house. More harvest is on its way.
Garlic scapes are a unique way to add flavor to your dishes.
Basil is a new item in your bag. Use it as soon as you can, the flavor fades quickly and it is difficult to keep them fresh. To store, wrap loosely in a damp (not wet) paper towel and seal in a ziplock bag. Place it in the warmest part of your fridge, either in the door or on the top shelf. Don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them. Chop with a very sharp knife or use scissors. It’s best to add fresh basil at the very end of cooking, after you’ve removed your pan from heat, to preserve its delicate flavor. Or even better–use it fresh. Sprinkle on a green salad, a fruit salad, scrambled eggs, or pizza. Add to any cooked dish right before serving. Enjoy!
5 Easy Steps to Turn Your Life into an Abundant Garden
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. ~Robert Lewis Stevenson
Every thought we think is creating our future. ~ Louise Hay
You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. ~ Richard Bach
Your life is being written day by day, moment by moment, are you the author or is someone else holding the pen? ~ Author Unknown
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. ~Buddha
5 Amazing Ways Gardening Improves Your Health
Getting your hands dirty is surprisingly healthy.
It reduces stress & anxiety.
It decreases your risk of heart disease & diabetes.
It makes you happy. 🙂
It keeps your mind sharp.
It helps you sleep better.
Garlic Scape Vinegar
Add a touch to your stir fry!
Ingredients:
1-2 whole garlic scapes, cut to fit your bottle
Note: Add more garlic scapes for more flavor
1 cup light vinegar, like white or red vinegar, rice vinegar
Glass container with non-metal cap or cove
Handful of your favorite herbs ie: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint
Note: Generally use the ratio of 1-2 scapes per cup of vinegar, but you can certainly add more to make the flavor more concentrated. And absolutely double or triple the recipe based on the size of your container. Triple the recipe, for example, if using a wine bottle.
Instructions:
Sterilize the bottle and cap, either by simmering in hot water on the stove for 10 minutes or washing in the dishwasher right before using. Allow container and cap to dry thoroughly.
Wash garlic scapes and dry completely. Cut into lengths that will allow the scape to be completely submerged below the level of the vinegar. Any exposed piece of scape not in the vinegar will start to deteriorate and rot.
Gently bruise the scapes, by rolling over lightly with a rolling pin, to release a bit more flavor.
Place the scape pieces in the sterilized container and cover completely with vinegar. Add your choice of herbs. Cover with lid, cap or cork.
Store in the refrigerator, or other cool, dark place. The following day, check the level of the vinegar and add more if the level has dropped. It is possible that the scapes will absorb some overnight.
Allow to infuse for 10 days to 2 weeks, in a cool, dark place. Strain out original garlic scape pieces, if desired, and replace with fresh ones (if available), primarily for decoration. Will keep for 2-4 months.
Keep vinegar bottle out of sunlight or it will become cloudy.
The acid in the vinegar acts as an inhibitor for bacteria growth, but certainly keep an eye out for changes in color, an off smell, or cloudiness in the bottle and discard if there is a question. Storing the vinegar in the refrigerator, particularly in the summer months, is the safest.
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