Beets!

Since the veggies are popping out of our garden in full force...why not highlight each one?  While I'm on a beet kick, let's start there.

Beet Bruschetta

We are knee deep in beets right now, so I wanted to share this fabulous recipe from Marge's Next Meal.   What a great way to enjoy this bright red vegetable. You can find the recipe here.  Thanks Marge!

Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Berry Fruit Salad

Another wonderful fruit dish...simple and fresh.  All the best summer fruit with my favorite...the addition of mint.  This dish was graciously shared by Rashmi at Yumkid.  Please take a peak at the entire recipe here.

Fruit Kebabs

I always love a simple and delicious recipe...especially one geared towards kids.  You can't do wrong with a fruit kebab, especially when you top it with a small brownie.  This recipe is generously shared by Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious.  You can find the entire recipe here.

Braised Spring Vegetables

Two posts filled with fruit...now a quick stop for vegetables.  This is a lovely dish created by Maggie at Marge's Next Meal.  I'm always looking for new veggie side dishes...and cannot wait until our carrots are ready.  Take a peak at the entire recipe here.

Honey and Peaches Ice Cream

Today I'm sharing a wonderful dessert from Anna at Blondie's Cakes & Things...Honey and Peaches Ice Cream.  Have I ever mentioned that I loooove ice cream?  This is triple threat with the added natural sweets. You can find the recipe here.

Strawberry Sour Cream Pie

Over the next week I'll be sharing some fresh fruit and veggie recipes from my fellow foodies.  I'm not the best chef in the world, so I often enjoying tapping into other's talents.

The first is a wonderful dessert...strawberry sour cream pie.  It was lovingly created by the fearless leader of Camp Blogaway, Patti of Worth the Whisk.  Please click here for the whole recipe.  I know I need to whip up something with all the strawberries popping out of my garden.

Happy 4th!

Happy fourth of July!  I wish you the enjoyment of many ice cream cones on these hot summer days!

Italian Herbs

A couple of weeks ago I received a wonderful package of herbs from Gourmet Garden. I had the great opportunity to meet them at Camp Blogaway.  What makes their herbs special...is that they are available year-round, yet still maintain their freshness.  Each herb is gently tucked into a squeezable tube then stored under refrigeration.

The Gourmet Garden website also has an amazing recipe index.  I tried the couscous salad with chili pepper and ginger chicken (using their ginger and chili pepper samples) and it was superb (and extra healthy). At camp we simply added our own mix of spices to yogurt for a nice vegetable dip.

I want to thank Mary Humann and Gourmet Garden for the wonderful collection of herbs they sent including:

Basil
Chili pepper
Cilantro
Chunky Garlic
Dill
Garlic
Ginger
Italian Herbs (mix)
Lemon Grass
Oregano
Parsley

Kale!

Being a gardener I've always used kale as a beautiful fall annual in the landscape. What a nice surprise to find out it's also a super healthy food...perfect for cooking and salads.

Dorothy from Cut 'n Clean Greens generously sent me some kale so I could try it myself.  I'm used to the thin leaves of lettuce, so was nicely surprised by the hardiness of kale.  Paired with the fabulous Cut 'n Clean dressings, kale makes a great side salad.  I have to admit, I like that it was already chopped up in a nice storage container.  I could take out a little each day as needed.  I tried several kales, plus had the bonus of a spinach and beet greens kit (yum-my).

Here are the kits I had the privilege of trying:
Organic Rainbow Kale Salad Kit
Rainbow Kale Salad Kit with Zesty Orange Vinaigrette (my favorite!)
Organic Rainbow Kale Salad Kit with Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette
Rainbow Kale Salad Kit with Avocado Tomatillo Dressing (a tasty kick!)
Spinach and Beet Greens Salad Kit with Bacon Spinach Dressing

Big thanks to Dorothy (from Shockingly Delicious) and Cut 'n Clean Greens for expanding my greens palate!

Oh, and I do have a print available also...visit my shop here.