Garden Fuss

After one failed attempt I'm proud to say that my big baby didn't give up and has now successfully made tasty frozen rasberry custard icecream. A little encouragement and jesting has fueld her to concoct a treat to beat the heat straihgt from our garden. I'll have her post a recipe later. Just had to shre this beautiful pics and more praise for my future personal chef.

Got Mint? Got Basil? Got a flare for nummy asian deliciousness? We do in this house so our summer spring rolls hit the spot for a quick meal to beat the heat in the kitchen. First assemble your ingredients (fresh herbs and lettuce) from the garden before the heat of the sun beats you down. You then proceed to wash and rough chop these ingredients. Dice, or shred your choice of meats or you could even use tofu (yum), prepare your rice noodles by dipping into hot water for a couple of minutes then chill in ice water and drain. Do the same to your rice wrapper only it should take about 30 to 40 seconds or until pliable. I make a sauce to spread on the wrapper before assembling with hoisin, peanut butter, soy sauce, chili garlic paste, lemon juice and a touch of honey. I spread this on the wrapper, add noodles, herbs and/or veggies, meat or tofu then I wrap pretty much like a burrito. I make a dipping sauce with finely shredded ginger, water,lemon juice, sugar and hot garlic chili paste. T

Scarlet and green beens are getting started. Already it's a better crop than last year. I'm hoping to have enough to can this year. If it's not too late I will be starting another successive row to carry us into the fall. There are afew more blank areas in the garden and it's only July. I want to add more herbs and sweet peppers since only the thai chilis are fruiting. The tomatoes are off and running with new fruit popping up daily. I see fried green tomatoes on the menu this week for sure. Any ideas on what I should try for mid season sowing in zone 4? Send me a message or just reply to this post. I really appreciate advice and moral support. Thanksin advance,
Tina

Cranberry white chocolate with ginger lime glaze.

I've been planning on making preserves because that's what I do with fresh summer fruit. However, since the raspberries keep coming I had to find a fresh recipe that didn't involve steaming up our housein 95+ weather. This particular recipe is called The Raspberry Buckle. Here is what I did, and to have just as fabulous results here is what you do. Tina's Raspberry Buckle First gather the following: 1/2 cup butter flavored crisco 1 cup granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 pint of rasberries  1/2 lemon juiced and zested Pre-heat oven 350 degrees, Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream together the sugar and Crisco, Add eggs one at a time then slowly by the spoonful add in the flour mixture. Once combined add the lemon juice and zest. Spread into a 9 inch pie pan or other decorative pan of your choice. Pile your (washed and dried) raspberries onto the batter and l