Basil

If you have basil growing in your garden or in a pot in your kitchen window there are a few steps that will keep it growing productively until the first frost.

Basil likes to be watered frequently but sparingly.  Do not over water the plant but a small dose daily or every other day will make a happy plant.  Basil also loves the sun, if kept indoors make sure it it near a sunny window.  You may notice how it bends toward the sun.  Just rotate the pot and it will turn again.

Basil also loves to be pruned.  It is an active growing plant that will be coming fuller and more productive if you allow it.  When the plant is young, cut it back to the last 2 sets of leaves.  This will allow it to grow more branches.   Also don't be afraid to take off large sections of it when you need some for a recipe. 

 If allowed to grow just tall, it will become too leggy and provide fewer usable leaves.

Once it has matured, give the plant a good cutting once a month.  You can use the leaves to make pesto or simply freeze the leaves in a Ziploc bag and use as needed.  The leaves will become limp once defrosted so you may just want to use them in sauces. If I have a large batch of pesto, I fill a ice cube tray with the pesto, freeze and place the cubes in a Ziploc bag for future use. The frozen pesto cubes will last several months in the freezer.  TIP: If you plan on freezing your pesto, do not add the cheese per the recipe until you are ready to serve!!

Make sure to always clip off the flower buds on your plants.  Here is an example of one that got away!  If you want to collect seeds for next year you can allow the plant to flower in early fall otherwise this will slow up if not cease any further leave production.

Another advantage of pruning is you can place a large cutting in water and you will have a new basil plant in a few weeks.

Here is a great recipe I tried recently when I had to do an initial pruning of my plants.  I loved this Ina Garten Recipe for Pesto, Peas and Pasta as my kids like to eat pesto, but this one you add frozen spinach and the kids will never notice.  Delicious served room temperature or cold the next day.  I halved this recipe as the original serves 12.  Also substitued some of the mayo with low fat sour cream.

Also here is my grandma's pesto recipe.-Can easily be doubled

2 cups basil Leaves

1/2 cup Parsely

5-6 cloves garlic

1 tbl Pine nuts

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Add basil, parsley, garlic and pine nuts in food processor or blender; Add cheese and dribble in oil until the consistency of creamed butter.

Pesto Pasta and Peas—Ina Garten

Ingredients

3/4 pound fusilli pasta

3/4 pound bow tie pasta

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 1/2 cups pesto, packaged or see recipe below

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 1/4 cups good mayonnaise

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 1/2 cups frozen peas, defrosted

1/3 cup pignolis (pine nuts)

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignolis, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.

Quick Tip--instant ganache

I discovered this little trick when making the ice cream cake for father's Day.  I decided to make cupcakes with the extra cake batter i had left over.  I realized I only had about  1/3 of a chocolate icing left over from a previous cake.  I looked in HelloCupcake by Karen Tack for a simple frosting and found that if you put the chocolate or fudge frosting (from the can)

in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, depending on the amount of frosting, you have instant ganache.  I was able to cover all 12 cupcakes with a thin layer of frosting where I would have needed a lot more if it was straight out of a can.  Added some chocolate jimmies and you have a tasty dessert with little effort.

Would love anyone to share any other great baking tips.

Ice Cream Cake

Why pay expensive prices for an ice cream cake and maybe not even in a flavor that you love? Well you can make an ice cream cake in just one pan- A spring Form Pan.  

My family loves when I make these, I am sure yours will too. Any flavor combination will be delicious, this weekend was chocolate cake with fudge topping, chocolate jimmies and chocolate chip Ice cream.

Simple ingredients you can buy at any grocery store or even Target

Prepare your cake recipe as directed and add half of the batter into your spring form pan. Make cupcakes with the remainder or just make an extra cake and freeze for another use. Remove the cake after it slightly cools and place on a wire rack to continue cooling. When completely cool, cut the top to make it an even top.

Place the cake back into the spring form pan and close the pan. Add a layer of your favorite ice cream topping-hot fudge or carmel. Top with additional toppings such as sprinkles or crushed up Oreo cookies. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.

Take out the ice cream you chose for the filling and allow it to defrost slightly on the counter top or put into the microwave for 60 seconds. Then just scoop the slightly melted ice cream on top of the frozen cake. Use the off set spatula to get a nice even top. Freeze for at least 4 hrs or even overnight. You can put saran wrap over it for long term storage.

When ice cream is firm, release the cake from the spring form pan and place back into the freezer until the frosting is ready..

Put the Vanilla ice cream in the Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds until soft but not melted. Scoop about 3/4 of the ice cream into a bowl and using your mixer froth it to frosting consistency. Then quickly frost the ice cream cake like any other cake but maybe a little more quickly. Place back into freezer if melting too quickly. When finished place the cake back into the freezer and allow to set for at least 1 hr.

You can decorate the cake with any tinted frosting, decorating gels or even hot fudge sauce does well in a pastry bag.

To Serve, place onto counter for about 10 minutes before slicing. Use a large knife and place in warm water in between cuts to aide in cutting.

Movie Night Gift

Not in the mood to be crafty or just don't have enough time for a handmade gift?  Here is a personalized and quick gift you can give to just about anyone for any occasion.  I am giving this to my husband as a father's day gift.  Most items can be purchased at your local drugstore or grocery store.

You can pick up a Popcorn bag or box at a party store, or maybe you have a special popcorn bowl already you can pack up.  Target also has tall plastic ones, they are just a little skinny to fit the larger boxes of candy.  Of course you can purchased a ceramic popcorn bowl at a department store.  

For the bag, I used a white paper lunch bag and drew the lines and word POPCORN on the front.  You want to continue the design around the bag for the best affect.

Choose the gift recipient's favorite movie treats.  Nothing like the large Movie size Candy to make you think you are not in your own house.  Add some microwave popcorn and a blockbuster gift card or a hand made gift certificate allowing "your movie choice for the evening".  (We hardly use blockbuster anymore with all the On Demand choices).

I found a great carton of candy to fill the bottom of the bag to serve as a filler.

 You can also fill the bottom of your bag with crumpled up paper to allow the best display of your goodies.

Inexpensive,quick yet personal, a movie night in a bag makes even the pickiest person smile.

Homemade Father's Day Gifts

As I went into Michael's store yesterday I was quickly reminded that it was Father's day in only a week.  Although my husband said he wanted a new watch battery and another item I like to have the kids create something.  Looking around for the items I had gone for, we came upon the $1 wooden frames.  Wow, quick and easy and I will have the kids decorate the frames, we had done it before with sea shells for Nana's Beach house.  Each child can express themselves.

Of course I could not leave it at that.  Wondering if my husband had space at work to place 3 - 4x6 frames on his desk I thought about making a 3 tier hanging frame.  Easier than you think and I had everything at home.

Items you need:

1) wooden frames (you can do one per child or one per child and then one group shot)

2) The little hangers out of the picture hanging kits you buy.  I seem to have a dozen or so around that I never use.  Make sure the circles are not sodded together and you can use a wire plier to pull apart easily.

3)Ribbon-if no hangers you can use to hang frames together as well as for the top to use as the frame hanger.

4) Arcrylic paints and brushes.  Any other adornments you children would like to add buttons, stickers pasta. My little guy wanted to glue dried beans on!

5) Cute Photos of the kids...I had each kid hold up a sign to say "We" "love" Dad".  With Snapfish and other photo sites out there you can get photos in just a few hrs or simply print them at home.

6) Patience! Allowing the child to express themselves on something that I would otherwise want to look presentable takes one to just step back and watch.

Before painting the frames you need to place the hangers on the frame sides that will be connected.  (if using 3 frames the middle frame will need them on both sides)

I measured 2 inches from each side that needed a hanger.  (you need to be precise you will have a crooked frame or one that wont fit together) 

The wood is very soft so you can just screw them right in.  I also opened up only half of the hangers so I could easily put them together later.  (If you will be using ribbon wait until they are painted and dried.

Allow the kids to paint their hearts out. You can recycle old egg cartons-plastic and styrofoam- as paint cups.  They are the perfect size for the amount of paint they need.  Just be sure to wash them out well before using.  Once they are dried you can add a Varnish Coat if you have it.

Once they are dried, add the photos.  These are obviously very inexpensive with no glass or even plastic coverings.  You can purchase more expensive ones or just leave as is.  I kept the card board inserts and taped the pictures to that and then placed them in. It seemed to give the picture a little more support.

Then connect the frames together and close the opened hangers.

To connect by ribbon, cut out a ribbon  long enough to follow the length of the frames evenly spaced and the hanger length.  Using a staple gun attach the ribbon to the frames. 

To make a ribbon hanger, decide how long you want the ribbon to be on top, double that and add another 2 inches.  Angle the ribbon to make an upside down V on top and staple onto the frame.  I allow for a little over hang that you can glue back over the staples to protect the wall.

This gift would be great also for grandparents, mothers and cousins.  Have fun making it.

Quick tip-Lilies

If you are fortunate to have lilies growing in your garden or just like to have them in your home from the florist here are some ways to keep them longer.  Make sure to cut your flowers one more time before placing them into lukewarm water.  All of the leaves should also be stripped that would be below the water line in the vase.  This helps prevent quick deterioration.  

Remove the stamens-or pollen from the opened flowers.  However, be careful as they can stain. Remove with a piece of paper towel or tissue.

If you get the flowers from the florist the stamens- are usually taken off.  However when new flowers open just take the time to pull them off and enjoy the sweet scent through out the house for a little longer.

Train Birthday Party

My youngest turned 3 this past week and he wanted a train party.  With three childrenI have realized I have hosted over 14 parties and this is the first to be documented.

While organizing my thoughts for this blog entry I realized I try to follow a simple outline when organizing birthday parties.  Hopefully they feel as successful to the attendees as they do to me afterwards.

1) Invitation

Usually something simple and made at home on the computer.  You can get very personalized and unique to the party theme.  I have used store bought before too!  After I connected these dollar store cut outs with brads, I wrote details on front and then folded them into an envelope. 

2) Stations

After allowing some free play while the kids get here, I like to have a few stations set up for the children.  Here are some examples I used this weekend.

   a) A cookie decorating station

    

  

b) A game to play individually or small group

     Almost any larger box can be transformed to a party decoration or game.

    Throw the coal into the engine was created out of a diaper box.

   c)Craft station-color a dollar store wooden plaque.  (girls got butterflies, boys airplanes)

3) Group party games

 

a)Poster board and construction paper can be used with almost any themed party to create a themed version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

 Pin the number on the train.  I like to add the child's name to the item they will be pinning so there is no argument over placement.  Two and three year olds were just applauded for getting it on the poster board.

b) Pinatas- They were a little young but who doesn't like the idea of hitting something and getting candy as a surprise.

4) Cake time

Usually homemade but Costco and Sams Club make delicious ones for large groups.  Cupcakes are always a hit as well and easy for the kids to eat without utensils.  Had trouble making grey frosting so Thomas looks a little "cross"

5) Party Bags

Continue the theme on simple lunch bags.  They come in multiple colors and as the kids get older they can help decorate them for their friends or that could even be your craft.  The last two birthday parties for my little guy I have given a paperback book along with a few "trinkets" as that is a longer lasting gift.  

I made some personalized candy bar covers.  I was making some for my brother-in-laws 40Th party so I decided to use the same  template I made.  I can email that to you if you are interested.

Tomato tips

One of the most popular vegetables to grow is the tomato. Tomato plants can be easily grown in a pot as well as a traditional garden.  Tomato seedling plants are readily available at almost any retail location, even at the grocery store.

However, as simple as they seem, they do require a little more attention then expected.

There are several varieties to grow from your basic Early girl, to Grape and Heirloom Varieties.  Choose your variety based on your garden.  A Grape or cheery tomato, also known as patio are good options for a pot.  Save heirlooms and larger varieties for a tradition garden as they are often larger plants that require sufficient staking.

Once you have chosen your variety, the work begins.  You want to plant the seedling into your pot or garden as deep as the first set of leaves.  This will allow for more stability and rooting.  You can take off the first set of leaves before you plant.  Now is the time to add the soil amendments such as egg shells or slow release fertilizer granules.

Even though the plant is probably small, it is best to place any staking you will be using.  Either a wooden tomato stake or tomato cage.  This way you will not be disturbing the extensive rooting system later.  I am not sure which one works the best, I am trying both this year.

Once they plant starts growing, pinch some of the side shoots. This will promote growth of the plant, while also allowing air circulation.

Every few weeks you are going to have to tie the growing plant to its stake or redirect limbs in the cage.   

Not only does Basil go well with tomatoes in the kitchen, but they are great companion plants in the garden.  So plant an extra basil plant along side and reap the benefits.

Pests and blossom rot are topics I am not that familiar with but will get info as it occurs to my plants.  I do know squirrels will take a bite out of that tomato you were waiting just one more day to ripen and leave on the ground to rot.  If you are finding this to be a problem, you can always pick them premature and place them, stem side down in a sunny window.  They will continue to ripen just not vine ripened!   

I think we have all seen the advertisements for the Topsy Turvy tomato planter.  My neighbor is currently growing two plants in one and several in her garden.  The plant in the Topsy Turvy is growing gangbusters ahead of the other ones.  Will be watching it in the weeks to come and give a report.

Please add any additional tips or comments with your successes or disasters we can all learn from.