Limes, Limes, Limes and a Tribute to Mom

Limes, limes and more limes.....

I love citrus! My lime tree is about three years old and after our severe frost this past Spring I thought for sure my lime crop would be limited...NOT. The photo above is what I picked from just one branch.

So what to do with so many limes? I dug through my cookbooks and found a few recipes for sorbet. When it is 117 degrees outside what could be better than a nice frozen dessert! Most recipes called for white sugar and I wanted to try a version using agave syrup so I created my own recipe. I also added basil; unbelievably it is thriving in my garden right now.  This is a super easy recipe that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. I love my ice cream/sorbet maker, just be sure your freezer bowl is frozen solid.

Lime Basil Sorbet - makes four servings   

1 and 2/3 cups water

3/4 cup agave syrup

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

5 to 6  fresh basil leaves

Zest of 3 limes

Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg (if desired)

Green food coloring (if desired)

In small saucepan combine the water and agave syrup over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and pour into a glass measuring cup. Place the measuring cup in the fridge to cool for about an hour.

When cool add the syrup/water mixture, lime juice, basil, nutmeg and green food coloring to the blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes. Add the lime zest and immediately pour mixture into frozen base of an ice cream/sorbet maker. Follow ice cream/sorbet maker instructions; mine takes approximately 25 minutes to turn to sorbet consistency. Serve immediately garnished with basil leaves and strawberries. If not enjoying immediately place in a storage container and freeze until firm.

Tribute to Mom......she has been gone 7 years this week

It's hard to believe it has been seven years this week since my Mom passed away. Years before she passed away she and my Dad created a Beneficiary Notebook - it included all their important documents as well as what they each wanted as their final wishes. My Mom was a humble woman and she didn't want a lot of fuss. Her wishes were simple. We included all her favorites in her memorial service; hummingbirds on memorial program, Willie Nelson songs as guests arrived, an Irish Blessing read during her service and at the end, a treat for everyone that came. We placed chocolate Hershey Kisses in baskets and two of her grandson's shared the basket of chocolate treats with all the guests as they left the service.

After her service one of their neighbors hosted a gathering in the back yard of their home. ALL the neighbors had pitched in and provided a lovely, simple luncheon to honor Mom. After all the guests left, we were sitting in the shaded backyard and a handful of hummingbirds fluttered around us. We took it as a sign that Mom was happy and was graciously thanking us for making her day be so special.

Among my Mom's important documents was a list of what she wanted each of her children to receive when she passed. I received a special ring I referred to as "the rock". A week before she passed away I went home for a visit. Mom had many therapists and nurses coming and going and I joked with her that in all the hustle and bustle of activity, she might misplace my "rock". She jokingly asked me to go retrieve the ring from her dresser and said we should hide it somewhere that only she, Dad and I would know where it was. We decided to hide the "rock" in the pocket of an orange shirt in my Dad's closet. The joke being, Dad never got rid of anything and there would be no chance that the shirt and the "rock" would be given away. Little did we know that six days later she would pass away. I now have the "rock" and think of her every time I wear it to special occasions.

When my Dad was finally at the place where he could start going through my Mom's things, I asked if he would save Mom's nightgowns for me. My thought, cut the nightgowns into squares and make a quilt! Well I still have the box of nightgowns and am still cutting the squares a little at a time. I have a long way to go! But then I got to thinking about my blog. I pulled out the nightgowns and a thought came to me - I could make an apron out of her nightgowns! So using four of her nightgowns I started cutting.

I used the top as a halter bodice and the bottom ruffles of each of the nightgowns to create the lower part of the apron. Here is a picture of my niece modeling the finished apron.

So Mom, just to let you know I'm still thinking of you! Now a part of you is in the kitchen with me when I am cooking! Something as simple as her nightgowns has brought me so much joy.

So what unique memento do you cherish from your lost loved one?

Bananas, Bananas and Bountiful Basket

If you are like me you buy bananas and never quite get around to eating them all. I always have great intentions, but to be honest, when I notice the first brown spots starting to appear I throw the whole banana, peel and all, into the freezer for a future banana bread.

Recently I pulled open my freezer drawer and I found about 10 nicely brown frozen bananas inside. Since it is the middle of summer in AZ, baking was not really an option. So what else could I do with bananas? The reason I went into the freezer in the first place was to pull out a Popsicle for me and a "Frosty Treat" for my dog, Oliver. Did you know they make Popsicle-like treats for dogs? They do and Oliver loves them! Unfortunately they cost about $5 for four. Definitely a treat we don't buy all the time.

So it got me thinking - maybe I could make my own "Frosty Treats" for Oliver? After spending time on the Internet looking to see what types of base ingredients would be dog friendly I came up with this recipe. Then I had to be creative - what would I put his new treats in so he wouldn't make a big mess on the floor while he devoured them? I looked at my empty Greek Yyogurt container in the sink waiting it's daily washing and deliverance to the recycle bin and thought what a perfect size for frosty treats. I have found silicon cupcake liners are the perfect size as well. If you have a smaller dog, ice cube trays or small Styrofoam cups work well too!

Oliver's Frosty Treats

1 large container yogurt, plain or vanilla

2-3 very ripe bananas (if frozen, thaw 1st)

2 T. peanut butter

2 T. honey


Place all ingredients in a blender and mix well.

Arrange containers on cookie sheets and pour mixture into the container of choice based on the size of your dog. Freeze several hours.

Once frozen transfer to a Ziploc bag. When you want a treat for your dog, a healthy one is ready and waiting. As you can see, Oliver loves them!

Fortunately, Oliver is not a "plastics" chewer and leaves the container behind so I can reuse again. If your dog chews, you might want to pop the treat out and put in a separate dish. Oliver thought I should share his last batch of treats so I took one to my sister's dog, Bear. Bear wasn't too interested in the treat right away but her kitties loved the treat!

Bountiful Baskets

I went early this morning to pick up my pre-ordered organic Bountiful Basket, have you heard of them? This is what was in my basket this week.....

9 Bananas, 6 Peaches, 6 Red Plums, container of Strawberries, 1 Cantaloupe, 6 Roma Tomatoes, 3 small heads of Broccoli, Bunch of Kale, Bunch of Romaine Lettuce, 6 Ears of Corn and a container of mushrooms. 

If you don't have Bountiful Baskets in your area, check for local co-ops. It's a great and affordable way to incorporate fresh fruits and veggies into your diet. You typically have a choice of regular or organic produce. Here's the link to see if you have a site in your area Bountiful Baskets. 

I will be eating well this week! What ideas do you have to use up bananas?

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes and my new favorite author

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes.......
I had the best crop of tomatoes this year. I don't know if it was because we had a milder summer or just a heartier group of tomato plants. Whatever the reason I have enjoyed two of my favorite tomato recipes all summer long ~ Caprese Salad and Chunky Tomato Sauce that I freeze to use year round. 

                               


Here is a basket of tomatoes from my garden. Those that didn't get enough sun in the garden ripened nicely on my kitchen window sill.




Caprese Salad

Ripe tomatoes (one large tomato per person)
Olive oil
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh mozzarella cheese (I buy mine from Costco)
Fresh basil (several chopped leaves)
Loaf of french bread or bread of your choice
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice tomatoes and mozzarella about 1/2 inch thick. On a large platter place one tomato and overlap with a slice of mozzarella. Add another tomato and another slice of mozzarella. Drizzle olive oil over all and add a splash or two of balsamic vinaigrette. Top with the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve with sliced french bread  and a glass of iced tea or a glass of Chardonnay.

Yum! Best meal for a meatless Monday!

My new favorite Author ~ Barbara O'Neal

Earlier this year I stumbled upon the author, Barbara O'Neal. She crafts the most magnificent stories and the best part...she incorporates and includes recipes throughout each of her stories! It is as close to reading a cookbook; which was one of my Mom's favorite things to do, as you can get. She additionally adds at least one dog into each of her stories and being the dog-lover that I am it just adds to the depth of her novels.

"The Lost Recipe for Happiness" is the story of Elena, who moves to Aspen, CO with her faithful dog, Alvin to run a kitchen in a world class Santa-Fe restaurant that is desperately in need of a makeover. As layer upon layer of this love story unfolds she weaves a tale intertwined with food, friendship, passion and the healing powers of love. I made her Pomegranate Baklava. If you like pomegranates, you will love this yummy twist on Baklava.

"The Secret of Everything" introduces you to Tessa who leads hiking tours around the country for adventurous vacationers. She heads to New Mexico to scope out a new location where she meets Vince. They are both drawn to the town's beloved eatery - 100 Breakfasts - and to each other. Breakfast recipes are woven into a truly delightful love story. She includes a Goat Cheese and Apple Tart that I will make this fall when apples are in season.

"How to Bake a Perfect Life" is her most recent novel. This story explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters - and the healing magic of homemade bread. The tale centers around Ramona who inherits her Grandmother's Victorian home in Colorado and opens Ramona's Bakery. While this story unfolds it is intertwined with delicious bread and dessert recipes. My favorite from this book; Sunshine Fruit and Honey Bread. It is a delectable sweet bread recipe that went wonderfully with a cup of tea.

Aside from the recipes, I enjoyed the complexity of the mother/grandmother relationships she includes in each story. I have to share that I typically download and read books on my Kindle but after reading each of her novels I HAD to go buy each book just so I would have hard copies of the recipes!

Now that you know my newest passion have you read a book that tells a good story and includes recipes?