Salad Bowl- From Garden to Table

One of the easiest raised planter garden vegetables to grow is lettuce. It sprouts up well in cold weather and in the summer can be planted in shady areas for equal success. Planting lettuce seeds each month provides a continual and fresh harvest. Throw in some nasturtium flowers for a peppery tasting and colorful addition. Growing a variety of different lettuce types will make your dinner salad bowl a gastronomic delight! 

Renee's Seeds

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10 BEST HERBS FOR THE GARDEN

My favorite TOP 10 HERBS for the Garden. I grow these every year and continue to find more and more uses for each one of them. Fresh, dried, baked or blended, herbs create the perfect addition to the backyard garden. Herbs are also great companion plants.

BASIL - CHIVES - CILANTRO - DILL - MINT 
OREGANO - PARSELY - ROSEMARY - SAGE - THYME  

Making Mint Syrup: Also known as Simple Syrup.

2 Cups Granulated Sugar - 2 Tblsp Corn Syrup -

 1 Cup Water - 1 Cup Packed Fresh Mint Leaves

DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan heat sugar, corn syrup and water to a slow boil until Sugar is dissolved. Add Mint and remove from heat. Stir for 1 minute. Allow syrup to cool back down to room temperature. Pour Mint Syrup into a bowl through a strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep for several months.  (makes 2 Cups)

ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL HERBS

BASIL IS A SUMMER STAPLE!

CHIVES AND ONIONS

Rosemary, Mint, Chives, Basil in one evening harvest

Tuna Tartare Appetizer is a must for sushi lovers

Tuna, Water crackers and warmed Brie Cheese appetizer

Small diced jalapeno peppers and wasabi powder  make this appetizer  tasty!

Another amazing appetizer from the recipe files of Barefoot Contessa. Purchase Sushi grade raw Tuna for this recipe as fresh as possible, a perfectly ripe avacado and it is sure to be a success~
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Mussel Appetizer gets a thumbs up!

Last night I made Black Mussels as part of a first course entree for a dinner birthday party. I'm sharing it here because it was truly amazing and easy. In addition to the recipe I added sweet white onion slices and an 1/8th cup bread crumb mixture into the wine broth to add a bit more flavor to the steaming process. It is always "taking a chance" making something for the first time for a special event, but I always have luck doing anything that involves an Ina Garten recipe.

Barefoot Contessa: Recipe Link: Mussles and Basil Bread Crumbs.

Black Mussels steamed in a cast iron skillet

Serving them straight to the table in a cast iron skillet keeps the mussels warm.

 Serve with slices of baked rustic bread.

-Happy Eating- 

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