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garlic

Garlic-Basil Butter

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Garlic-Basil Butter 4Flavored butters are a simple way to add a touch of sophistication to your meal, especially this garlic-basil butter.  Impress your guests or add it to a weeknight meal.  It’s fancy enough for company, but easy enough for every day!  It takes only minutes to prepare, but it makes even a simple meal seem a little more fancy with delicious flavor!

If you want to take it up a notch, you can have an assortment of herbed butters by adding our chive butter to your spread.  (Spread.  Ha!  Sadly, that pun was intended.)

We love simple recipes, and this one fits the bill.  Garden-fresh herbs and veggies don’t always need a lot of dressing up.  This butter really lets the flavor of the garlic and basil shine through without overpowering your dish.  Summertime perfection!

Give this garlic-basil butter a try the next time you have fresh herbs, you will not be disappointed in the lovely flavor, and you will love how easy it is to whip up!

Garlic-Basil Butter 1

Butter freezes very well.  Place the butter on a piece of waxed or parchment paper.  Roll it into a cylindrical shape, then twist the ends of the paper to seal.  You can place it in a freezer bag for an extra layer of protection, if desired.  When you need some basil butter, unwrap the log and slice off a disc to use for toast or veggies, or in your recipe.  This is a great option if you are trying to use as much basil as you can at the end of your harvest, and it’s just as easy to make a big batch as it is a single batch.

Enjoy!

How to Freeze Basil Pesto

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tips to freeze pestoPesto is a great way to use up a lot of basil if your garden is bursting at the seams, or if you need to harvest it before a drop in temperature.  The basil pesto recipe we posted last week is a great one to try, especially if you’re looking for a less expensive pesto that still has wonderful flavor (we used pecans instead of pine nuts!).

But what if you make a big batch of pesto and you can’t finish it before it starts to go bad?  Freeze it!  Freezing pesto is simple, but we have a few tips to keep it fresh and green.  Pesto oxidizes (darkens when exposed to air), so keep reading to find out how to keep it looking bright and green!

Start out with clean ice cube trays and a cookie scoop.  My scoop is 1 tablespoon, and since two would have overfilled the tray, I placed one scoop in each pocket.  You will need just a little space at the top, so don’t fill it completely full.
freeze basil pesto 1
Once you have all of your pesto scooped into the trays, gently tap them on the counter to remove any air bubbles and to settle the pesto into an even layer.  Lightly drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top of each pesto cube.  This will help seal out any air that could turn your pesto brown.  Freeze Pesto 2
When you are finished drizzling the oil, cover the tray with a layer of plastic wrap and press it gently onto the pesto to remove the air.  Once the air has been pressed out, just place it in the freezer!
freeze pesto 4
I missed a spot on the plastic wrap…it probably pulled when I picked up the tray.  Check yours before you set it in the freezer just to make sure it didn’t shift like mine!  Because of the oil, it retained it’s green color as it froze, but I like to be double sure that my food will be perfect when I want to use it!
freeze pesto 5
Once your pesto is frozen (I left mine overnight), remove the plastic wrap and run the bottom of the trays under cold water for a second or two to loosen the pesto, if necessary (be careful not to get water on the pesto).
freeze pesto 6
Label a gallon size freezer bag, being sure to include the size of your pesto cubes.
freeze pesto 7
Now just remove the cubes from the trays and toss them all in the bag!
freeze pesto 8
They should be a lovely green color.  Now you are ready to pull out exactly how much you need when you’re ready to eat it!  Garden-fresh flavor any time.  Doesn’t get much better!
freeze pesto 9Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before you put your bag of pesto in the freezer, and you’re done!  Easy!

Garlic-Cilantro Aioli

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Aioli.  You’ve heard of it.  Maybe even seen it.  But what in the world is it?  Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers!  Aioli is a garlic-flavored mayonnaise typically served with fish, seafood and vegetables.  It’s a French word with Latin roots:  ai–>garlic (allium) and oli–>oil (oleum).  Garlic Oil.  Yup.  We’re making garlic oil today!  With a little cilantro thrown in for good measure.

Garlic-Cilantro Aioli main

You’ll be so happy you tried today’s recipe.  This aioli is so easy to make…it all goes in the blender, and you’re done in 30 seconds!  There’s nothing I love more than an easy, quick, delicious recipe!

So far we have enjoyed our garlic-cilantro aioli  with Roasted Artichoke, Fat-Free Sweet Potato Fries (we will share that recipe with you next week!) and we even used it as a sandwich spread.  You just can’t go wrong with this aioli!  Comment below and let us know how you like to eat your aioli!

Garlic-Cilantro Aioli 3

Cowboy Caviar

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If you are looking for something a little different, really simple, and super quick, look no further!  It’s a fabulous appetizer served with chips, or as part of a main meal…like a taco bar topping.  Whether your ingredients are straight from the garden, or came from the produce section, you will impress your guests with this flavorful treat!

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (15.25 oz) supersweet yellow corn
  • 1 can (15.25 oz) white corn, drained
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (dry)
  • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and gently combine.  Delicious right away, but even better once the flavors have had a chance to mingle.  Serve with chips, or in a taco bar.

Cowboy Caviar square

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Becky

  

~Becky

Creamy Potato Soup

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If you’re not quite ready to give up soup season, give this creamy potato soup a try. It’s my most requested soup recipe! And unlike most creamy soups, it is NOT made with cream! Which means you won’t have to worry about calories. Or you can eat more. I always opt for eating more!

Creamy Potato Soup WGC

Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients:

  • 8 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery, finely diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 5 cups milk
  • 6 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 6 Tbsp flour
  • 2 Tbsp parsley
  • 2 tsp pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan, bring potatoes, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth and salt to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until potatoes are just tender.  Do not drain; mash slightly.  Stir in milk.
  3. In a small bowl, blend butter, flour, parsley and pepper; stir into potato mixture.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
  4. Remove from heat; add cheese and stir until cheese is almost melted.  Let soup stand for 5 minutes.
  5. Serve hot.

Creamy Potato Soup Square

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Becky

 

~Becky

Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

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If you love avocado, cilantro and lime as much as I do, this dressing is a must!  It’s creamy and fresh and adds just a little kick!  Thin it down a little to pour onto your salad, or leave it thick and spread it on your sandwich in place of mayo.  Either way it is highly addicting!

avocado cilantro lime dressing
Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 clove garlic
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, stems removed
  • 1/2 tsp agave
  • 1/8 tsp cumin
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp plain greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp milk

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to blender jar.  Process until dressing is smooth and creamy.
  2. If dressing is too thick, add more milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing Square

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Becky

 

~Becky

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