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Gifts from the Kitchen: Savory Treats
By Brenda Hyde
Savory gifts from the kitchen are great for men's holiday
gifts, especially teachers or co-workers. The mustards
would be great in a basket with sausage and cheese for
dad or grandpa too.
Horseradish Mustard
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry mustard
1/4 cup mustard seeds
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons drained prepared horseradish
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth.
Store in air tight containers in refrigerator up to
several months. Makes 1 3/4 cups.
Gift Basket Suggestion: Place mustard, a summer
sausage or salami, pumpernickel bread and some
good hard cheese in a wicker basket for a spicy
gift!
Garlic Mustard
Ingredients:
8 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 8 ounce jar Dijon-style mustard
1/2 tsp. basil leaves
1/4 tsp. oregano leaves
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place garlic in a small
baking dish and drizzle with oil. Roast 20-30 minutes,
stirring frequently until garlic is soft. Mash garlic,
removing any tough pieces. Combine with other
ingredients and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
Makes about 1 cup mustard.
Fruited Rice Curry Mix
Ingredients:
1 cup long grain rice
1/4 cup mixed dried fruits, chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons light raisins
1 tablespoon minced dried onion
2 tsp. curry powder
2 tsp. beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. salt
In a bowl combine all ingredients and place
in airtight containers. Directions to enclose:
To prepare rice, combine mix with 2 1/2 cups
water and 2 tablespoons margarine in a saucepan;
cover tightly. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer
20 minutes. Do not lift cover. Makes 4 cups.
About The Author
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing