Recipes, Edible Garden, GROW YOUR OWN
May 25, 2023
Growing your own vegetables, herbs, and fruit is always tremendously satisfying and can provide so many meal options from grilled veggies, salads, relishes, pesto’s, and refreshing summertime drinks!
Here are some summer-inspired recipe garden suggestions to consider when selecting your vegetables for the season, and to help make the most of your summertime harvest.
Common vegetables in a Mediterranean garden may include sweet bell peppers, onions, eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, and parsley. Here are some suggested recipes to try from your Mediterranean garden.
This spicy grilled veggie dish is prepared in a grill basket on your BBQ – or on skewers directly on the grill – and can be served as a side dish with grilled meats, with rice, or over pasta. This versatile dish is a great way to combine a variety of vegetables and herbs and you can adjust the level of spice to suit your taste.
Sweet tomato relish is a perfect way to use those extra cherry tomatoes! This relish is easy to put together and uses ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, balsamic vinegar, a touch honey, with salt and pepper to taste.
The perfect accompaniment to a grilled or pan-fried white fish, scrambled eggs, a topping for hotdogs or sausages, or even as a flavourful condiment on a charcuterie board. Use fresh in one sitting or store in a mason jar or container in the fridge for up to a week.
This appetizer is a yummy pizza alternative, using fresh tomatoes, garlic, and parsley with a melted cheesy topping. The key to this bruschetta is the freshly ripened tomatoes AND using a really good quality Italian bread that will crisp up nicely in the oven.
The tomato topping is a mixture of fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh parsley, chopped garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a splash of salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
This can be served as an appetizer but also works well as a side dish to oven-baked wings and a crispy green salad. This bruschetta has a great explosion of flavours and if you’re lucky to have leftovers – they are wonderful for lunch the next day!
This Pesto recipe is made from freshly ground basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese. It is often served over pasta but is also an excellent garnish on garlic bread, roast potatoes, and pizzas.
For the freshest tasting pesto always select vibrant basil leaves that have no sign of wilting. All ingredients are processed in food processor, and you will be pleasantly surprised how quickly this recipe comes together!
Click here to link to the recipe
Summer meals lend themselves perfectly to summer salads and can include an endless combination of fresh vegetables and herbs for salad and salad dressings.
Simple cucumber salad
This light, refreshing salad has a perfect combination of cucumbers, vinegar, a sprinkling of dill, a little bit of sugar, and salt. SO simple that it literally comes together in a matter of minutes.
The dressing works with any style of cucumber shaved into ribbons, and the tart freshness of the dill goes great with salmon, white fish, or grilled chicken.
You can put this salad together and serve immediately – or prep ahead and chill in the fridge to serve a couple of hours later. A perfect summer salad!
Classic Chopped Salad Garden with Herb Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Salads are one of the easiest dishes to throw together and can often seem a little dull as a side dish. Sometimes the little added extra’s can make all the difference between a boring ho-hum salad – to one your guests can’t forget.
Chopped salads that make an impression include homemade dressings with fresh herbs and ingredients, olives, croutons, fresh grated parmesan cheese, and a maybe a little spice from some jarred pepperoncini. Suggestions for vegetables to include in your garden are varying types of lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, radishes, and chives.
Combine all the chopped ingredients and then put together one of these homemade dressings to add some extra zest to your salad.
Click here to view and print the recipe
Infuse your summer drinks with cool cucumbers, mint for mojitos, lavender for a light floral scent, and berries to blend into your smoothies. Here are some suggested additions and garnishes to consider when mixing your summer cocktails and mocktails:
Strawberry Lavender Simple Syrup:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
3 tsp fresh lavender flowers
12 fresh sliced strawberries
Sheridan has an excellent selection of pre-potted seasonal herbs, vegetables and fruits. Visit one of our garden centres today to get your themed garden started.
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