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Category: Gorgeous Greens

My Little Scarborough Fair

My Little Scarborough Fair

Many of the dishes and cocktails of the summer are inspired by what’s in bloom in my herb garden. Once upon a time my Father built a beautiful bed with nutrient rich soil to plant herbs + veggies in. I’ve continued that tradition and every spring I plant the staples; parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme… and mint and cilantro and chives and sweet basil. These aromatic but humble herbs elevate pretty much every breakfast, lunch and dinner compilation.

They’re easy to grow. I buy the spriglings in Home Depot and just add water and sunlight. There is something very satisfying in always having these items available to enhance the flavors of any meal. If you don’t have a garden, you can use planters and any window with sunlight will do!

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;

Remember me to the one who lives there,

For once she was a true love of mine

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Garden Goddess Cocktail

Garden Goddess Cocktail

Fresh herbs from my garden often inspire tasty dishes that also look beautiful and this light and lovely cocktail is no exception. It’s light and you can adjust the alcohol to your preference. It also makes a nice non-alcoholic beverage.

Rosemary/Thyme Grilled Chicken with Walnut Dijon Kale Salad

Rosemary/Thyme Grilled Chicken with Walnut Dijon Kale Salad

This recipe is simple and satisfying and an perfect for a casual dinner with friends or family or just  your fabulous self. I often make this for family gatherings on weekend afternoons. The ease in effort allows me to spend more time with my loved but still host a wonderful meal. In the summer I love using fresh herbs from my garden for the marinade and dressing and grill the chicken outside in the backyard. Of course that is not a requirement, the recipe also works well with an indoor stove top grill.

 

A quick note on homemade vinaigrettes: 

Once you know the ratio of acid to oil, you don’t need a recipe. The traditional formula is 1 part acid to 3 parts oil, but this varies depending on the acid used and your personal taste. Many people prefer a 1 to 2 ratio of acid to oil. So experiment and see what you like!

Vinegar range in acidity from about 4 to 7 percent. The higher the acidity, the sharper the pucker power, and the more oil you’ll need to balance it. For example, Rice vinegar is less acidic so it needs less oil than others.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is often used in place of vinegar, but it’s slightly more acidic than some vinegars, so it may require a bit more oil. Over time, fresh lemon juice loses some of its punch, so it’s best to make a small batch and use it up quickly. Many vinaigrettes include a combination of vinegar and lemon juice.