The Shy Gardener

Banana Sherbet

My Grandmother's Banana Sherbet Recipe

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1 egg beaten

1 large banana mashed

1/4 c honey

11/2 c fresh squeezed juice from 3 oranges and 1 lemon

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Mix all ingredients well. Put in container and freeze. Stir intermittently to keep crystals from becoming too big. Blend before serving. Serve with cinnamon graham crackers.

Deliciously Simple Ratatouille

Here is a family recipe for ratatouille.  It is fantastic served over pasta or on its own as a side dish. It complements a roast or is a great bruschetta topping.  Some ratatouille recipes call for more types of vegetables.  I like how simple this is.

Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

My Grandmother's Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Recipe

Gingersnap Cookies

Eric wanted to bake cookies.  He has been into cooking lately and we made a great dinner together this week.  Eric decided to make gingersnaps which are his favorite cookies.  He doesn't like chocolate (I'll never understand this) and passes on all chocolate desserts.  It was nice to make something he loves.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Using her grandmother's recipe, Ella is baking her favorite kind of cookies-- oatmeal chocolate chip.  She is the head baker and her dad, Eric, is her assistant.  Together they made some amazingly delicious cookies.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Delicious and moist, these pumpkin muffins will delight. They also make great mini muffins for a bite size treat.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These delicious sweet potatoes are simple and easy. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thick slices. Shake in a container to fully coat with olive oil then place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Add a salt lightly then roast the sweet potatoes in a hot oven until done. They should crisp up a bit on the outside and are a fantastic addition to any meal.  

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Enjoy!

Russian Carrot Pie

Russian carrot pie is a fabulous vegetarian dish for a holiday or special occasion. This recipe comes from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen. We use pecans to make the crust. Delicious!

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

​My Grandmother's Zucchini Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Growing up my grandmother made the most delicious zucchini chocolate cake.  We often had it for dessert with Sunday Night Supper. The zucchini made the cake so moist that my grandmother didn't frost it. Instead she would scatter chocolate chips on top.

Eggplant

Eggplant comes in a variety of shapes and colors, all tasty.  It is wonderful to eat though it can sometimes be bitter.

Here is a tip that rids the eggplant of its bitterness before cooking.  You can now serve eggplant worry free.

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Tip:

• peel the eggplant and cut as desired

• put it into a colander

• coat the eggplant with salt

• let it drain for 30 minutes

• rinse well to remove the salt

Enjoy!

Magical Properties of Stainless Steal

I love the taste of onion and garlic.  However, if you cook with them, your fingers smell.  Washing with soap and water doesn't help but stainless steel will.

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Tip:

After cutting up onion and garlic, wash your hands with stainless steel.  Using Fresh Fingers pictured here or one of your spoons, rub your hands with the stainless steel under water.  Rinse until the smell is gone.  It doesn't take very long.  It's magic.

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Enjoy!

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are beautiful and delicious.  When the seeds burst in your mouth they release a sweet, tart juice.  It can be tricky to remove the seeds from the skin so people shy away from eating them.

Here is a tip that makes removing the seeds from a pomegranate easy and fun.  Enjoy this delightful fruit.

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Tip:

• Cut the pomegranate into quarters

• Submerge it in a bowl of water

• Work the seeds out of the skin underwater,  they release easily this way

• Strain the seeds and they are ready to eat

Enjoy!