|
|
July 2024 Newsletter
|
|
Hard to believe it’s July already. I hope everybody had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration. To me, July brings longer evenings perfect for family gatherings after work, opportunities for relaxing vacations, and an abundance of fresh vegetables straight from the my garden or our local farm stands. It's a time when we can slow down, enjoy quality time together, and savor the delicious flavors of summer right at our fingertips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garden Fresh Ingredients
|
|
Here are a three easy and delicious recipes I like to prepare during the summer to take advantage of garden fresh fruit and herbs. The Grown-Up Strawberry Shortcake is twist on the traditional dessert: plump strawberries and juicy blueberries, soaked in Grand Marnier, intensified by a hint of orange zest. The Chive Blossom Vinegar is a fun project to do with children. The flavor is subtle, and the color is sublime. It looks beautiful sitting on the counter! This Rhubarb Cherry Pie comes together in a snap. You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grown-Up Strawberry Shortcake
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip of the Month
|
Make and Can Homemade Tomato Sauce
|
|
Is there anything better than the taste of summer-ripe tomatoes made into sauce? Try canning it using the tips in this video. I break down the process in a few simple steps and take the “scary” out of ! See the Canning and Storage sections of my shop for helpful products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Cheers for Citrus
|
|
This month we are celebrating the zesty citrus flavor combinations with three fun cocktails perfect for celebrating special occasions or enjoying a leisurely evening. The Swifty, aka, French Blonde, combines grapefruit juice with elderflower liqueur to create a refreshing and subtly floral drink with a hint of effervescence. This Tangy Lemon Margarita offers all the bright notes from the classic lime version with a fun and refreshing twist. The Fresca-rita is a great, low calorie version of a margarita to serve at your next summer soirée. It’s light, crisp, and fresh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Swifty, aka French Blonde
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product Spotlight
|
Kitchen Crop VKP Brands Canner
|
I LOVE this pot. It takes the guesswork out of canning temperatures. It handles 8 pint or 7 quart jars, or 20 quarts of liquid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am an Amazon Affiliate seller, and Very Smart Ideas contains affiliate links.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topsy-Turvy Treats
|
|
I love combing two great tastes and creating a whole new dish. How fun will serving this Breakfast Pizza be for a lazy Sunday with the family, or set up a pizza bar and have friends and family make their own pizza for a Sunday brunch. These Sweet & Spicy Pickled Peppers make for a fun weekend project. This combo of sweet jalapeño and serrano peppers are perfect for a pizza topping , as a relish on a cheese tray, or stacked on top of sandwiches for a sweet and savory kick! My Kimchi Pancakes come together in minutes. They are bursting with umami flavors and equally as good served for dinner as they are breakfast.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sweet & Spicy Pickled Peppers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"July is the perfect time to be reminded of the freedom offered by our great nation, to enjoy family time, and sample summer’s bounty."
|
|
|
|
|
|
