What's For Dinner-August 2015

[ellie]

The freezing basil with olive oil sounds like a great idea -- I can do that. Pesto is a good idea too. Thanks!

I also have rosemary, oregano and thyme along with parsley. We had more rain than usual so they are growing like weeds. Oregano and rosemary will probably come back next year along with the chives.

[lovinretirement]

The freezing basil with olive oil sounds like a great idea -- I can do that. Pesto is a good idea too. Thanks!

I also have rosemary, oregano and thyme along with parsley. We had more rain than usual so they are growing like weeds. Oregano and rosemary will probably come back next year along with the chives.

Ellie, I always cut my rosemary and thyme, wash it, let it dry off on a paper towel. Then I pick all the rosemary needles off, and strip the thyme leaves off, wrap them in dry paper towels, put them in zip lock bags and freeze them. Then anytime I want "fresh" herbs in the winter, I just take some out and cut them up for my recipes. Just like fresh. It wouldn't work so well for your more delicate herbs like parsley or cilantro.

[Kchurchill5]

Yep agreed lovin. You can also puree the oregano too; and even just freeze in water. NOT good for fresh; but, good in sauces.

Also, I love to dry them. I make bottles year round especially with my oregano and basil since they grow like weeds.

[ellie]

Yep agreed lovin. You can also puree the oregano too; and even just freeze in water. NOT good for fresh; but, good in sauces.

Also, I love to dry them. I make bottles year round especially with my oregano and basil since they grow like weeds.

Thanks for your suggestions - how do I make my own dried herbs? Sounds like I could use them for Christimas baskets.

[Kchurchill5]

I prefer my dehydrator; but, the oven works great.

Middle shelf, 175 degrees, door slightly open. Sheet pan lined with parchment, and herbs on the stems spread out.

About 30 minutes for small herbs, 45 for bigger like basil, oregano, etc. Rosemary, also.

Once dry, pull off the dry herbs and store in a clean dry and secure jar. I love to use small mason jars; or older spice jars which I cleaned.

It's fun to make blends; and lavendar, chervil, fennel and other are fun to experiment with.
------------------------
Drying them by hanging, they can get moist; same with the micro; however they can be done that way.

Dried oregano, basil, rosemary and mint is a really nice combo.
You can do Greek oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme too

Sometimes, I will add some dried red pepper flakes to the mix; or even dried garlic or onion flakes too.
Makes a nice Italian Greek Mix.

You can also dry lemon or other fruit zests; which are really nice to add to salt ... makes a fantastic lemon or orange salt to use when cooking. And, you can grind it fine once dried too

Also, try adding vanilla beans, after the beans removed to sugar; makes a delicious to coffee or cocoa; or even added to fruit. Just add the empty scraped out bean pod to a container of sugar.
------------------------------------
Let me know if you have other questions.

FYI, catnip is also easy to dry for friends who have catnip. You cat make small little burlap squares stuffed with the catnip.

[Kchurchill5]

Dinner ... Morning Everyone!

An unusual Card/Game night for all 3 ladies. A mini antipasta tray to start (pickled veggies, salami, smoked cheese/crackers/baguettes, olives, artichokes, etc); mini chicken parmesan patties; sauteed broccoli rabe and onions; cold Caesar pasta salad; biscotti

Me: Grilled Greek salmon, grilled zucchini, lemon orzo or couscous

[Kchurchill5]

Ellie, another herb idea ... something I did a couple of years ago.

Beer Bread, easy. Fill a mason jar with the flour mix.
Put a cool beer, meaning ... trying something different in the basket.
A small bag of spices and nuts or dried fruit.
A small card with instructions.
-------------------------------------------

Now, ideas ...

Pumpkin beer or ale, whole wheat flour, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and a packet of dried rosemary and thyme

Honey wheat ale, whole wheat and white mix, a mix of thyme, oregano and lemon zest. I added provolone on top.

Dark ale, pumpernickle mix, walnuts, blue cheese and a mix of rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
-----------------------------------------------
What is fun to make a small bag or basket ... just add some spice, bread mix, and a beer.

So, for the mix ... they don't need to add any thing ... just stir.

[Kchurchill5]

Just a thought!

[ellie]

Ellie, another herb idea ... something I did a couple of years ago.

Beer Bread, easy. Fill a mason jar with the flour mix.
Put a cool beer, meaning ... trying something different in the basket.
A small bag of spices and nuts or dried fruit.
A small card with instructions.
-------------------------------------------

Now, ideas ...

Pumpkin beer or ale, whole wheat flour, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and a packet of dried rosemary and thyme

Honey wheat ale, whole wheat and white mix, a mix of thyme, oregano and lemon zest. I added provolone on top.

Dark ale, pumpernickle mix, walnuts, blue cheese and a mix of rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
-----------------------------------------------
What is fun to make a small bag or basket ... just add some spice, bread mix, and a beer.

So, for the mix ... they don't need to add any thing ... just stir.

Thanks for the great ideas!

[ellie]

Tonight we are having http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/italia ... k-pot-7479