As of today, my garden has rendered a great harvest, more than enough for my husband and I. I have been doing research and I am trying several methods to “preserve” my summer harvest. All fruits and vegetables have enzymes and bacteria that can destroy the nutrients, change the color and texture of the food. Blanching is a heat treatment that will destroy these enzymes. My first harvest I tried the blanch then freeze method. Although not difficult, it did take most of an evening to complete the process for all my squash and peppers. Do not allow the vegetables to sit on the counter more than 24 hours before…
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Summertime Strawberries
Summertime and hot temperatures are just around the corner, so that means strawberries are perfect for picking. My wonderful neighbor was so kind by sharing some strawberries with us, her mother picked that same morning. So fresh and sweet, my husband flashed his beautiful brown eyes and asked for my own, Summertime Strawberry Cake, which I was happy to oblige. What is a Strawberry? Strawberries are a red, sweet, juicy fruit consumed in everything from preserves to milkshakes. Synonymous with summertime, but able to withstand shipping and storage, small berries tend to taste better than that are larger varieties since larger ones tend to be more watery. Peak season is…
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Tips for Delivering Bereavement Comfort Food
Mourning the loss of friends… So, the last couple of days have been difficult. I found out that a friend I met while working at the Home Depot nearly 18 years ago, has passed away. This followed by a rash of news that flooded my inbox regarding other former co-workers that have passed away within the last year. I am a bit heartbroken. Although I have not been in contact with these individuals in recent months, I have always felt a special kindred relationship with them because we shared time together, years ago when we were younger, before families, and before the responsibilities of middle-aged adults were realized. We could…
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Enhance Your National Wine Day
National Wine Day (Wednesday, May 25), I thought I would give some of my best wine recommendations and hints. Wine Choices If you are new to wine, you should probably determine what flavors you might like before you go shopping. If you like hearty, full flavored, bold type of drinks, you may like RED wine better. However, if you tend to order fruity cocktails and enjoy light, crisp type of drinks, WHITE or ROSE wines would suite you better. This is just a guideline, not a rule. I typically like white or rose; however, I have purchased mild oak flavored red wine too. Do I Serve Wine Cold or Warm?…
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Acclimate for a Good Steak
Steaks: Grain vs. Grass Fed You need to acclimate your meat for a good steak. Because steak is one of the items I will pay a little extra, for good quality, I take particular steps to ensure I am getting the best flavor, juiciness and tenderness for my money. I will spend more for grain fed meat, when I can find it. Grain-fed Beef Pasture-raised, grazes on grass Later, fed hearty, rich-in-nutrients grain The most flavorful and highest quality beef available, with superior marbling and texture Top chefs agree, grain-fed beef tastes better and is the preferred choice of steak-lovers everywhere Chart courtesy of Omaha Steaks Grass-fed Beef Pasture-raised, grazes…
