Tag: summer

Potluck Dish, Recipes, Snacks

Homemade Hummus —Three Ways

Kristine
Updated February 26, 2022

Hummus is a delicious Middle Eastern dip that is typically made with blended chickpeas and tahini. It pairs well with fresh veggies or pita bread, and is a great accompaniment to many different dishes.

Hummus is also a great source of plant-based protein, making it an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans. And it’s packed with nutrients, including iron, folate, phosphorus and B vitamins (Raman).

Another great thing about hummus, is that it goes well with many different herbs and spices, meaning you can easily customize it. In this post, I’ll share three different tasty variations of hummus. Continue reading “Homemade Hummus —Three Ways” →

Drinks, Recipes

Summer Cocktail: Strawberry-Lavender Julep

Kristine

Updated March 1, 2022

This pretty cocktail was inspired by beautiful Michigan strawberries and some gorgeous lavender that is currently blooming in my mom’s garden. It’s a tasty twist on the popular mint julep. The fruity, floral flavor makes it the perfect drink for enjoying with friends on a summer evening.

It is also a lovely way to preserve fresh strawberries while they are in season. If you like, you can make a big jar of this flavored whiskey to enjoy later. It’s certainly good for brightening spirits during colder months.

Continue reading “Summer Cocktail: Strawberry-Lavender Julep” →

Holistic Healing

Holistic Treatment of Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Rash

Kristine
If you live in the United States (or parts of Canada), there’s a good chance that you are all too familiar with the effects of a run in with poison ivy, oak, or sumac. These plants contain an oil called urushiol (you-ROO-shee-all) that causes an itchy, blistering rash when it comes in contact with the skin. This rash often goes away within a few weeks, but can cause a lot of misery in the meantime.

Try the following suggestions to avoid getting poison ivy, oak, or sumac this summer.
Continue reading “Holistic Treatment of Poison Ivy, Oak & Sumac Rash” →

Condiments, Recipes

Black Currant, Blueberry & Wild Bergamot Syrup

Kristine

Updated May 20, 2022

Summer is in full swing in Michigan, which means fresh berries and herbs are available in abundance. I love to make various preserves throughout the season so that I have a few jars to give as gifts to friends & family and some wonderful treats to enjoy myself during the long winter months.

This delicious, unique simple syrup combines some of my favorite flavors of these lovely summer months. Blueberries are a familiar favorite and the addition of black currants and wild bergamot gives this syrup a tasty twist.

Black currants are not extremely popular, at least in this area, and can be a bit tricky to find. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get them at a farmer’s market or find a fruit farm that will let you pick them yourself. We are fortunate enough to have a great orchard nearby where we can pick these tasty berries. If possible, growing your own is a great option. If you can’t find black currants and still want to make this recipe, just substitute an equal amount of blueberries. The currants add a unique flavor, but blueberry-bergamot syrup is also lovely.

Continue reading “Black Currant, Blueberry & Wild Bergamot Syrup” →

Condiments, Recipes

Curry Ketchup Recipe

Kristine

This homemade ketchup is quick and easy to make and is definitely worth the effort. Whip up a batch before your next cookout to impress your friends. After all, nothing screams gourmet like handcrafted condiments.

The best homemade ketchup is made by cooking down ripe, fresh tomatoes for 10-12 hours until they turn into a thick sauce. But, most of time tomatoes aren’t in season (at least here in Michigan!) and sometimes you don’t have half a day to make ketchup. So, in those cases, you cheat a little and use organic tomato paste. The flavor will be just as rich and tomatoey and this little trick will definitely save you a lot of time!

Continue reading “Curry Ketchup Recipe” →