Strawberries and herbs are a magical pairing

Strawberries and fresh herbs make a magical pairing.

Think strawberries + lemon juice + mint + sugar

Or strawberries + basil + balsamic vinegar

Or strawberries + maple syrup + thyme

Or strawberries + vanilla ice cream + mint

As we proceed through the short season, look for fresh locally grown basil (genovese and lemon); thyme (French and lemon); spearmint or Mojito Mint.

If you do not have culinary herbs in your garden, they are available today either direct from the Farm or from Local Source, southwest Indiana’s premier online food marketplace offering locally grown and produced food.

Herb Butter Herb Kit Featuring French Tarragon, Parsley, Thyme and Garlic. . .can you taste it!

Herb butter, a simple to make yet luxurious addition to roasted and grilled foods. The combination of French tarragon, parsley and thyme is a perfect pairing for chicken, fish, mushrooms and pork and delicious as a flavorful topping for rice and potatoes.

And while this combination of herbs if my farmer favorite, if you have others on hand, try them!

RECIPE FOR Herb Butter:
* Butter – 4 Tablespoons at room temperature
* Lemon juice – ½ teaspoon
* French Tarragon – 1 Tablespoon of leaves (loosely fill Tablespoon)
* Parsley – 1 Tablespoon of leaves (tightly fill Tablespoon)
* Thyme – leaves from two to three stems
* Table or fine sea salt (to taste)
* Garlic – if spring garlic then use 1 small, if garlic scapes use 1 and if cured cloves use 1. If spring garlic use both the white and green portions trimming away roots and any dried leaf tips.

Place coarsely chopped garlic in food processing and process until finely minced. After mincing garlic add herbs and repeat until finely minced. Place room temperature butter on a cutting board, add lemon and minced herbs, mix together with a fork. Season with salt to taste (this will vary depending on use of salted or unsalted butter). Herb butter can be made three days ahead. Cover and chill, bring to room temperature before serving if using as a bread spread. Herb butter can also be frozen and used within 30 days for freshest flavor.

If you would like a fluffy whipped butter then using your stand mixer (or hand electric mixer) place 4 ounces of room temperature butter in the bowl along with 2 tablespoons of milk (half and half or whipping cream is even better). Beat on low speed for 2 minutes to incorporate and then beat on high for 2 - 4 minutes until consistency desired is achieved. Then complete the above recipe steps.

Fresh herbs for this recipe are available today either direct from the Farm or from Local Source, southwest Indiana’s premier online food marketplace offering locally grown and produced food.

Cool creamy ranch dip. . .or even better ranch dressing!

Ranch dressing is known for its cool, creamy and delicious taste. It can be enjoyed as a dip, drizzle or toss. It is simple to make. What's not to love!

And with fresh herbs, it is even better!

Ranch Dressing RECIPE:

* Mayonnaise – 1/4 cup

* Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream – ½ cup

* Milk – 2 Tablespoons (dairy or non-dairy, your preference)

* White Wine Vinegar – 2 teaspoons

* ¼ teaspoon table or fine sea salt (or to taste)

* Pinch cayenne pepper

* Garlic – if spring garlic then use 1 small or ½ of medium, if garlic scapes use 1 and if cured cloves use 1. Finely mince your garlic. If spring garlic use both the white and green portions trimming away roots and any dried leaf tips prior to mincing.

* Chervil and/or Parsley – 1 Tablespoon finely minced, using leaves and small tender stems

* Dill – 1 teaspoon finely minced, using leaves and small tender stems

After mincing herbs and garlic, combine all ingredients in food processor and process briefly to combine. Chill for 20-30 minutes or overnight for best flavor. Keep refrigerated and serve within four days for freshest flavor.

Note: Consistency will be similar to a vegetable dip. If a more pourable drizzle is desired, thin with 1 teaspoon at a time of preferred milk product until desired consistency is achieved (a pinch more of salt may be needed to retain crisp flavor). If this is your first time cooking with dill, please note that more is not always better and if can overpower other flavors.

Fresh herbs for this recipe are available today either direct from the Farm or from Local Source, southwest Indiana’s premier online food marketplace offering locally grown and produced food.

Spearmint and Spring Garlic open the gateway to so many delicious options

First up, Lemon Dijon sauce / dressing with garlic and mint, this my friends is a culinary wonder! A friend shared the basic recipe and so far every combo of herbs is a hit but this one knocks it out of the ball park.

The plate in the picture illustrates the simple list of ingredients that are needed to make this amazing sauce. We are using it on rice pilaf, sweet potatoes and more!

 The recipe is so easy and open to you personalizing it.

  ·         Mint, Kentucky Colonel Spearmint –  leaves from one stem (10-12), finely minced  

   ·         Garlic – if spring garlic then use 1 small or ½ of medium, if garlic scapes use 1 and if cloves use 1.  Finely mince your garlic.  If spring garlic use both the white and green portions trimming away roots and any dried leaf tips prior to mincing.

  ·         Lemon zest – zest from ½ of a large lemon (approximately 1 teaspoon)

   ·         Lemon juice – juice from ½ of a large lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons)

   ·         Mustard – 1 tablespoon, Dijon or other spicy brown mustard

   ·         Agave – 2 Tablespoons (or maple syrup or honey)

   ·         Pinch table or fine sea salt

 After mincing mint and garlic combine all ingredients in a container, screw the lid on tight and give it a good shake.  Chill for 20-30 minutes or overnight for best flavor.  Keep refrigerated and serve within four days for freshest flavor. 

The Spearmint and Spring Garlic combo is available today either direct from the Farm or from Local Source, southwest Indiana’s premier online food marketplace offering locally grown and produced food.