Summer

Fermented Jalapeño Pickles (better than store-bought!)

September 18, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 1 Comment

These vibrant jalapeño pickles are rich in probiotics, easy to make and pack a mean spicy punch.

FERMENTED JALAPENO PICKLES: THE PERFECT SPICY CONDIMENT

Are you one of those folks who can’t get enough spice in their life?

Or maybe you’re looking for a homemade edible gift idea for someone who NEEDS hot sauce on EVERYTHING?

I’ll tell you one thing: these fermented jalapeño pickles will not disappoint!

Unlike the sodium-heavy pickles that can be found beside the salsa at the grocery store, these are actually good for you.

Pull them out for Taco Tuesday.

Dress up your breakfast eggs.

Add a spicy twist to savoury baked goods, and stick them in sandwiches.

You will want these in your burgers for a little kick that burns oh, so good.

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Pickled Fried Green Tomatoes (with Old Bay)

August 7, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Pickled fried green tomatoes are the perfect way to use an early or late tomato harvest. Pull out your trusty cast-iron skillet and get ready to make this super simple (and flavourful) recipe.

pickled fried green tomatoes with sriracha mayo dip

MAKING PICKLED FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Maybe you have an abundance of green tomatoes in your garden that need to get used up, or maybe you just have a hankering for this classic Southern side.

In any case, pickling the tomatoes before frying them really gives them an extra punch and imparts them with incredible flavour.

Here’s what we’ll need.

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A Vintage Lemonade Recipe (and a modern one, too)

July 17, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 2 Comments

This simple vintage lemonade recipe will quench any thirst, and so will the modern recipe for a frosty and frothy blended basil lemonade!

THE INSPIRATION FOR A VINTAGE LEMONADE RECIPE

A few years ago, my mother came across a well-loved copy of Canada’s Favourite Cook Book in an antique shop.

It’s aged and ragged with faded sauce stains and bonus recipe cards that were cut out of cereal boxes.

This book dates back to 1910 and is a compilation of recipes sent by ladies from both Canada and the United States who were eager to share their best recipes.

The only problem?

Well, if you’re the least bit familiar with vintage recipes, you’ll know that they can be a bit vague…

Canada's Favorite Cook Book antique copy

Lemonade should be made in the proportion of one lemon to each large goblet. Squeeze the lemons and take out any seeds. If you do not like the pulp strain the juice. Sweeten the drink well though that is a matter of taste. The pleasant tart taste should be preserved. Add water to the juice and when serving put cracked ice and a thin slice of lemon to each glass.
E. J. C. (a contributor to Canada’s Favorite Cook Book)

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Cucumber Salad: a Victory Garden Recipe

June 26, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 1 Comment

Looking for a cucumber salad recipe? When cucumbers and herbs are plentiful in the victory garden, it’s time to make this refreshing cucumber salad. Tossed in a light and creamy herbed yogurt dressing, it will leave everyone wanting more!

VICTORY GARDEN-GROWN IS BEST!

I’ll be honest.

I make this cucumber salad year-round, but only when cucumbers are less than $1 apiece.

I wish I was joking about this, but I’ve seen cucumbers selling for $3 each on more than one occasion.

Crazy!

By the way, there are many reasons why I call gardens victory gardens, which you can read about in my victory garden post.

Whichever way you cut it, victory garden-grown herbs and cucumbers are best.

Let me tell you why.

Did you know that most produce loses 30% of their nutrients within three days of being harvested?

Unless you’re buying the herbs and cucumbers from a farmer’s market, it’s pretty hard to pinpoint when they were picked and how long they’ve been sitting on the shelf for.

Fortunately, cucumbers aren’t on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list for 2021, but they have been on that list in the past.

Unless you’re buying organic produce, it’s more than likely that storebought cucumbers have been treated with something.

Therefore, not only are garden-grown cucumbers fresher and more vibrant, but they’re safer and more nutrient-dense, too!

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