grow a garden cooking recipes In a world where fast-food and convenience are paramount forces, it can be a breath of fresh air to grow your own garden–a meaningful step towards incorporating healthier, more delicious, and sustainable meals. Regardless of whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, gardening can be a very enjoyable experience. And what better way to complement your gardening endeavor than by turning the ingredients you grew into delicious recipes right out of your garden!
The Happiness of Growing Your Own Ingredients
Gardening is a unique way to better connect yourself to your food. To take a seed and grow it into an herb, vegetable, or fruit, offers a true appreciation for the ingredients you use for each dish. Not only does home-grown produce taste infinitely better than what you buy from the store, it is also free from toxic chemicals and you get to enjoy it when it is ready to be harvested!
Top Edible Crops to Grow With Ease:
Tomatoes: Whether you eat them fresh in a salad, make sauce or roast them, they are one of the easiest crops to grow.
Basil: You can use this herb in your pesto, pasta or as a garnish.
Zucchini: Whether grilled, sauteed or even in bread, this fruit is great all ways.
Spinach: Perfect in smoothies, quiches or salad- you’ll want to know how to grow spinach!
Chili Peppers: Your kitchen can always use some heat, which is what chili peppers bring.
Mint: This flavorful herb can add freshness to your teas, desserts or marinades.
Cooking from your Garden
Now that you have the basics on growing specific crops that you should have on hand in your garden, here are three simple, delicious recipes that use crops you’ll be able to grow at home.
1. Fresh Garden Pesto Pasta
Ingredients:
–
2 cups of fresh basil leaves
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
– 1/3 cup of pine nuts (or walnuts)
– 2 garlic cloves
– 1/2 cup olive oil
– salt and pepper to taste
– pasta of your choice
Instructions:
1. Use a food processor to blend the basil, Parmesan, nuts and garlic together.
2. Slowly pour in the olive oil while blending until fully combined.
3. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
4. Toss well with pasta of your choice and serve warm.
2. Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
– 1 zucchini chopped
– 1 bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup of spinach
– 1 small onion, sliced
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– chili flakes (optional)
Directions:
Heat up oil in a skillet, and sauté the onions until they are soft.
Add the zucchini and bell peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes.
Add the spinach, soy sauce, and chili flakes.
Allow to cook for another 2 minutes and serve immediately, hot over rice or noodles.
3. Mint & Cucumber Refreshing Drink
Ingredients:
1 cucumber, sliced
Handful of mint leaves
1 tbsp honey
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cups cold water
Directions:
Blend the cucumber and mint until very smooth.
Strain the cucumber and mint juice into a pitcher.
Stir in the lemon juice and honey.
Add cold water and serve with ice.
Conclusion:
Eat What You Grow
Creating your own garden is more than a pastime. It is a way of living. You may eat healthier, save money on your grocery bill and feel a satisfaction when cooking in your kitchen. You can create meals that may be fresher, tastier and may even give you something to be proud of, with just a small plot of soil and a couple of seeds.
So, go grab the gloves, go dig in and plant, use your garden as the grocery store and the inspiration in your kitchen!
