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Happy Spring! The flowers appeared right on cue

Happy Spring!

The flowers appeared right on cue.

#spring #daffodils #lentenrose #bringonthesun

Been missing Pok Pok since it closed during the pa

Been missing Pok Pok since it closed during the pandemic, so I made these Cornish game hens from the cookbook. I tried out the @thaancharcoal for the first time and it turned out great!

Definitely not a quick make, as they require brining, stuffing, marinating, and basting, but perfect for a lazy weekend day watching the NCAA tournament.

#grilling #pokpok #homecooking #charcoalcooking #charcoalcookingisthebest #gamehens #cornishgamehen #grilledmeats #slowcooking #meat #thaifood #kaiyaang #homecookedfood #homecookedmeal #homecookingrocks

Summer is winding down and my gardens are just sta

Summer is winding down and my gardens are just starting to really go crazy with the beans, tomatoes, and zucchini. Today I’m harvesting elderberries and schisandra, which have just started ripening.

#homecookedpdx #backyardhomestead #gardening #pacnwgardening #elderberries #schisandra #schisandraberry #eatyourselfhealthy #eatyourmedicine

Green beans are coming in strong from my garden no

Green beans are coming in strong from my garden now. I have jumped on the air fryer craze and have been air frying everything possible.

It’s great for veggies too! This simple recipe take just minutes and makes some delicious roasted-style green beans without heating up the house.

Air-Fried Garlic Green Beans

1 pound green beans
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt
Ground pepper

Preheat the air fryer to 350F. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking.

#greenbeans #seasonaleating #greenbean #growyourown #growyourownfood #garlic #garlicgreenbeans #backyardgarden #gardening #airfryer #airfryerrecipes #airfryerrecipe #airfriedgreenbeans

My mom brought me some basil (a lot!!) from her ga

My mom brought me some basil (a lot!!) from her garden and I made pesto!

Pesto is super easy to make in the summer when basil is plentiful to be stored during the winter for easy meals. I make large batches and freeze in a muffin tin to pop out when frozen for easy storing.

Traditionally made of basil, pine nuts, garlic, hard cheese, and olive oil, I use walnuts instead because, well, have you seen the price of pine nuts?

I don’t add Parmesan cheese when freezing and instead add when using, or leave it out.

Pesto is great on pasta, pizza, chicken, and fish. Do you make pesto, and how do you like to use it?

Basil Pesto
2 cups basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 garlic cloves
Salt
Ground pepper

Blend in a blender until smooth. Use immediately, refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
#growyourown #homecooked #seasonaleating #seasonaleats #basil #pesto #pestopasta #pestochicken #makepesto #backyardgardening #cleaneating #cleaneatingrecipe #homecookedpdx

Pickling cucumbers are coming in at the market. I

Pickling cucumbers are coming in at the market. I made these simple pickles, which will probably mostly be eaten before they reach their intended sourness. Garlic, pepper, chilis, grape leaves (for firmness), and a saltwater brine is all that is needed. So easy, so delicious.

#pickles #picklemaking #cucumberpickles #fermented #fermentedpickles #fermentation #pickleseason

The cycle of the apricots of my tree. These are th

The cycle of the apricots of my tree. These are the days of the summer.

What’s your favorite summer jam?

#jam #jammaking #apricots #canning #backyardgardening #apricotjam #summer #fruit #makejam #smallharvestcanning #smallbatchcanning #pacificnorthwest #growyourown

This is a super easy salad that I really enjoy. Bl

This is a super easy salad that I really enjoy. Black-eyed peas in the Instant Pot and packaged fresh baby greens make it really quick and perfect for a weeknight meal or side. It’s great paired with a green salad or served with a chicken breast.

2 cups dried black eyed peas
6 cups water
6 cups chopped baby greens
6 to 8 garlic cloves
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper

In the Instant Pot, combine the beans and water and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Let natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure. Drain and rinse.

In a large bowl, toss the greens, garlic, and olive oil. Fold in the beans and season with salt (if using) and pepper to taste.

#blackeyedpeas #salad #beansalad #easybeansalad #weeknightcooking #weeknightmeals #vegetables #eatyourvegetables #greensandbeans #homecooking #easymeals #easysalads #dinnersalad #veganrecipes #veganrecipes #veganmain

All in a day’s work!! Haha. Not really. I picked

All in a day’s work!! Haha. Not really. I picked these apricots from the tree in my yard (which was a whole project in itself), waited two days for them to ripen, cut them up and left them in the fridge for another day. Finally, I cooked them for about an hour this afternoon until thick and syrupy in a jam consistency, and canned them. It’s a wonder they made it that far with these busy summer days.

Apricot Jam

2 pounds chopped apricots
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup bottled lemon juice

In a pot, combine the apricots and water and bring to a boil. Cool for about 5 minutes until softened.

Add the sugar and lemon juice and cook for about 45 minutes, maintaining a slow boil until thickened.

Can in water bath for 10 minutes or freeze. Makes about 4 half pints.

#apricots #apricot #jam #apricotjam #jammaking #summerjam #growyourown #backyardgardening #backyardfood #fruittrees #apricottreeenvy

Elderflower Syrup for the summer win! So easy and

Elderflower Syrup for the summer win! So easy and so good. I use it to mix with sparkling water for a soda alternative.

Elderflower Syrup
5-7 elderflower heads
1 lemon, thick sliced
1 cup boiling water
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon citric acid

Cut the flower heads into a pint jar. Top with lemon slices. Cover with boiling water. Let sit for 24 hours.

Strain into a pot, using a fine mesh strainer, pressing to get all the juice in the pot. Add the sugar and citric acid and boil for 5 minutes.

Pour into a clean jar and cover. To serve, mix 1 part syrup with 4 to 8 parts sparkling water and stir.

#elderflower #elderflowercordial #elderflowers #elderflowersyrup

First time blueberry picking this year and it was

First time blueberry picking this year and it was a perfect day for it. Lovely mountain view’s and $1.30/pound. We picked 7 pounds in about 20 minutes and that was enough with the heat. Will be back for more soon!

#blueberries #upickblueberries #upickblueberriesportland #summer #blueberrypicking #blueberriesfordays
#portland #pacific northwest

No-Cook Raspberry Jam is one of my favorite summer

No-Cook Raspberry Jam is one of my favorite summer things. Really, it can be made anytime of year from frozen berries, but I love it best when they are fresh from the garden.

Be sure to make it a bit in advance so the chia seeds are able to gel. I find that about 20 minutes in the refrigerator is about right. You can store it covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

1 cup fresh raspberries, thawed if frozen
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon chia seeds

Smash the raspberries. Add the honey and chia seeds. Stir. Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving.

#raspberries #raspberryjam #nocookjam #easyrecipes #summer #summerrecipes #chiaseeds #omega3s #honey #naturalfood

Have you ordered your copy of 30-Minute Low-Sodium

Have you ordered your copy of 30-Minute Low-Sodium Cookbook yet? If you want to try some easy heart-healthy recipes you can have on the table in under 30 minutes, follow the link in my bio to pre-order now.

With launch day just a few days away, each pre-order makes a HUGE impact on the success of this book. Your purchase really helps to show Amazon that this book matters, and that you support the author.

If you haven't already placed an order, it would mean the world if you pre-ordered before Tuesday! Get your copy using the link in my bio!

Thank you so much for your support!

#lowsodium #lowsodiumdiet #lowsodiumrecipes #lowsodiumrecipes #salmon #wheatberries #spinach #easyrecipes #cookbook #newbook #recipes #hearthealthy #hearthealthyrecipes #hearthealthyfood #healthyfood #homecooking #easycooking #easymeals #easymealsforbusypeople #easyfood #easyfoodrecipes

Steel-cut oats have been in heavy rotation at our

Steel-cut oats have been in heavy rotation at our house. Fresh raspberries and strawberries are coming in strong. I like them thick with maple syrup and cinnamon. So good! Happy summer!

#steelcutoats #oatmeal #raspberries #strawberries #maplesyrup #flaxseed #hempseed #walnuts #cinnamon #vegan #plantbased #plantbaseddiet #growyourfood #growfruit #growingraspberries #hearthealthy #lowsodiumbreakfast #lowsodium #lowsodiumdiet

Made a quick arugula salad with quinoa and pumpkin

Made a quick arugula salad with quinoa and pumpkin seeds today. Forgot to record the dressing, but it’s on there at the end. Used about 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, and lots of pepper.

#arugula #arugulasalad #pumpkinseeds #quinoa #balsamicvinaigrette #seasonaleating #vegan #plantbasedmeals #plantbased #eatplants

Beets Hummus: Click the link in my bio @homecooked

Beets Hummus: Click the link in my bio @homecookedpdx for the recipe.

New book out June 28: 30-Minute Low-Sodium Cookbook. Preorder in link in bio.

#beets #beethummus #beetrecipe #plantbased #plantbaseddiet #plantbasedrecipe #beetroot

This ain’t the one, but they are pretty tasty. P

This ain’t the one, but they are pretty tasty. Powdered strawberry donuts for Saturday night.

The tip I used was all wrong, I filled the cavities too full, and several of them stuck to the tin, but they were still delicious.

#minidonut #cakedonut #donut #homemadedonuts #strawberrydonut #strawberryseason #strawberries

I first made umeshu back in 1999 when I was at uni

I first made umeshu back in 1999 when I was at university in Japan. It was so simple and could just be left to sit with little intervention—and come out great—making it a really perfect project.

I was at the local @hmartofficial and saw some ume and thought I would make it again.

I used the recipe from @justonecookbook for reference and changed it slightly based on what I had. The package of rock sugar I bought said it was white rock sugar, but it is more yellow/brown. Hope it doesn’t turn out funky—we’ll see in a year or so.

Here is what I did:

1 pound green ume plums
12 ounces rock sugar
4 cups shochu or clear liquor (35% abv) - I used vodka

Rinse and dry the plums. Poke hole in each with toothpick or skewer and remove any stems.

Sanitize a large jar by pouring boiling water in it and letting it sit for a few minutes before carefully pouring out.

Pack the plums and rock sugar into jar. Cover with shochu. Cover jar and let sit for 1 year (or as long as you can wait), shaking gently every once in awhile. Store out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark location.

It’s really good with sparkling water and ice for a refreshing treat on a hot day!

#umeshu #ume #umeplum #makingdrinks #shochu #cocktails

Edamame Hummus: Click the link in my bio for the f

Edamame Hummus: Click the link in my bio for the full recipe.

My new book is out in two weeks: Pre-order it in the links too.

Been really busy with work and summer and finding that balance. Super thankful to have a short break from early morning school runs and athletics so we can all just move a little slower for awhile.

#edamame #edamamehummus #hummus #plantbased #plantbaseddiet #plantbasedrecipe #eatyourveggies #eatinggreen #eatinglocal #growyourfood #arugula #carrots #cucumbers #sourdoughbread

Hard to believe it’s strawberry season with it b

Hard to believe it’s strawberry season with it being in the 60s and rainy still, but they are here and as delicious as ever.

#strawberry #strawberryseason #summerfood #strawberries

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