Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Thyme to Love ...




Jack is our next generation of the family farmer...he loves working the herb beds.
Picking Thyme was the work of this day.

Thyme is a great summer herb, although it is well known for adding flavor to soups and stews to warm you on chilly days.

This is a summertime recipe...enjoy!

(SummerThyme Chicken)

2 tbsp dry mustard
1 cup all purpose floue
1/4 cup chopped thyme(very fine)
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
3 to 4 oz's of water
1 whole baking/roasting chicken

preheat oven to 350*

Mix the dry mustard, flour, and thyme together in a bowl. Season to taste
Gradually add the water, mixing the mustard and flour to a smooth paste.
Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread the paste all over the chicken.

Arrange the chicken on a greased baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour or until done and tender.

Very good hot or cold.
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(Thyme for Cheese Balls)

8 oz's cream cheese
1 cup finely chopped herbs. ( thyme and parsley)

Shape the cheese into plum-size balls and then roll them in the herbs.
Serve with salads, on hot vegetables or as a spread for hot or cold breads.
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Don't forget (Tea Thyme)

For a special cold tea drink.

2 family size tea bags
1 large sprig of fresh thyme
2 cups water
6 cups of sweetened pineapple juice
1/4 tsp of stevia (sweet herb)

Bring water to a boil and drop in the tea bags and thyme
Cover and steep for 10 minutes

In a half gallon pitcher, add tea(remove the thyme)
pineapple juice and stevia

Adjust with more juice to make a half gallon.

If using sugar instead of stevia...about 1 and 1/2 cups.

Add ice cubes when ready to serve.

Have a grand summerthyme!

Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Don't Just Stand There...Go Shopping...at the Farmers Market!




Almost every town, city, and community has some form of a "Farmers Market"...do yourself and your family a big, big, favor, shop these awesome places of goodness.

Organic is certainly an added value, but even if that's not the choice, you will still be getting better, fresher, and healthier foods than buying from a local chain market.

When you buy from local farmers, you can actually shake the hand that grew your dinner, how awesome is that?

Seasonal eating is the most healthy way to eat. Think about it, I'm sure you will agree.

Do you know that watermelon is 92% water. a great source of vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene. (only the red has lycopene) some melons are yellow .

Lots of marvelous happenings around the country this time of year, keep watch and if it involves fresh foods and or sustainable growing and living...jump in and have some fun.

Something to look forward to...August 26th is "Kitchen Gardens International Day"

It's a celebration of a non profit group with members all over the world, people who love to grow their own food and share the delights of doing so with others.
It's also about sustainable living and being a responsible steward to the environment.

If you would like more info and perhaps make plans to do something to celebrate this special day, check out this link.

http://kitchengardeners.org

or send me a note and we will chat about it.

A great summer drink to share:

(Watermelon Fizz) Calories-54-Vitamin C, A, and lycopene.

Freeze 1 cup diced watermelon for garnish.

Puree 4 cups diced watermelon.
Strain; divide the juice among 4 ice-filled glasses.
Top each with 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1/3 cup ginger ale.
Garnish with the frozen watermelon and lime wedges.

( you can add 1-1/2 ounces of gin if you like) Calories then go to 153, and your vitamins go out the window!

Either way, have a Joyful July summer week!

Remember, "Sage Hill Farms" has all your herb needs. Fresh, healthy, home grown, and harvested with love and special care to a clean product.

Bea Kunz