Common weeds that are good to eat include purslane, lambsquarter, dandelion, wild amaranth., and plantain. Our gardens are at their biggest and best in summer. Unfortunately, that’s the case with our weeds too. Most gardeners will rip these weeds out of the ground and into the trash can as soon as they see them, but consider this: some of those weeds might secretly be a delicious superfood! And harvesting them for food means less waste, less work, and a more eco-friendly garden. It used to be common to eat many of these weeds, but the knowledge was lost in the past couple generations. Today, “urban foraging” is making a comeback, as more savvy gardeners come to realize the waste of perfectly good food. Common Weeds that are Good to Eat You might be surprised at how many of those weeds infiltrating your garden beds are edible. These are some very common edible weeds that you probably have in your garden right now, and all of them put spinach to shame with their … [Read more...] about Eat Your Weeds
Food & Drink
Never Fail Homemade Pie Crust
Never fail homemade pie crust isn’t just a dream. That’s right! Now you really can make the most delicious and beautiful pie crust—every time. A homemade pie is always a treat to eat. But when you make a homemade pie with my Never Fail Homemade Pie Crust recipe, you will make a perfect pie every time. But wait, there’s more. In addition to my original Never Fail Homemade Pie Crust, I also have two more never fail pie crusts that are sure to delight. Butter Pie Crust uses unsalted butter and a touch of vodka. Cheddar Cheese Pie Crust uses freshly shredded cheddar cheese to add an extra dimension to the crust. All three of these never fail homemade pie crusts are simply scrumptious when you’re making an apple pie. So, I’ve included my recipe for the best apple pie filling I’ve ever tasted. Is your mouth watering yet? Good! It’s time to bake a delicious pie! Recipe for Never Fail Homemade Pie Crust 1 cup butter flavored shortening that is cold (I keep mine in the … [Read more...] about Never Fail Homemade Pie Crust
A Handy List of Edible Flowers
Edible flowers are extremely popular right now. That's why I compiled this list of edible flowers. Having a list of edible flowers that can serve as a reference point for safe and delicious choices is more important than ever. Eating flowers is not a new practice. In fact, people have been eating edible flowers for more than 2,000 years. But let me be clear: not all flowers are edible. It is important to ONLY eat flowers that can be positively identified as safe and edible. That’s the first commandment of edible flowers. Please do not eat any flowers until you have read The 10 Commandments of Edible Flowers. And check this list to make sure that flower is edible. Common Names and Botanical Names It’s important to know not only the common name of a plant but the botanic name as well. The common names of some plants and flowers can be totally different from one area to the next and from one country to the next. That’s why both the common names and botanic names of … [Read more...] about A Handy List of Edible Flowers
Fresh Pesto Appetizer with Tomato and Mozzarella Slices
This fresh pesto appetizer with tomato and mozzarella slices might be my favorite appetizer of all time. It’s easy to make, and virtually everyone seems to like it. Fresh pesto is an Italian classic that is popular around the world. The star of a great pesto is the fresh basil, and basil is one of my favorite herbs. (See below for tips on how to grow your own fresh basil.) And when you add fresh pesto to tomato slices and mozzarella slices, you have the ultimate Italian appetizer! I like to make the pesto ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Then, when guests arrive, I assemble the tomato and mozzarella slices. I add a dollop of pesto to the top of each stack. The appetizers are ready in minutes. Warm fresh pesto appetizers right out of the oven. Yum! How to Make My Fresh Pesto Appetizer with Tomato and Mozzarella Slices Pesto Ingredients 2 cups basil leaves ¼ cup pine nuts 2 cloves of garlic 2/3 cup olive oil ½ cup grated … [Read more...] about Fresh Pesto Appetizer with Tomato and Mozzarella Slices
Country Style Quiche Lorraine
Country Style Quiche Lorraine is an easy-to-make recipe that is sure to please almost everyone. Quiche Lorraine is the mother of all quiche recipes. It is a light egg and cheese custard with lots of bacon in a buttery crust. Culinary trends took an odd turn in the 1970s when quiche gained the reputation of being a ladies-who-lunch type of dish. That must have been because they took the bacon out and started putting everything else in-- like asparagus, goat cheese and mushrooms. Some people even skipped the crust. And that's just wrong. But the classic Quiche Lorraine has endured. Probably because of the bacon! If you’ve never made a quiche before, don’t worry, it couldn’t be easier. Especially if you’re working with a prepared frozen crust. If not, it’s still easy, it just takes more time and planning. Watch the Video Country Style Quiche Lorraine Recipe Yield: Serves 6 NOTE: Onions or shallots can be used in place of the chives. Use about 1/2 … [Read more...] about Country Style Quiche Lorraine