May 27th Update (with Okra & Garlic info)

Everything is finally planted in the garden!  This is the best time of year to get a little break and enjoy the warm weather.  Over Memorial Day weekend we were able to put the finishing touch on the garden by laying down weed block and adding mulch between the beds. (Pictured below)

Before mulch & weed block

After mulch & weed block

Its amazing how much better it looks! We have also enjoyed relaxing and sitting out on the deck with the little one playing in the baby pool. 

The Deck with flowers, tomatoes & raspberry bush

(2) Tomatoes, Petunias & Gerbera Daisy

(3) Tomatoes & Raspberry (new addition this year)

So Moist Veggie Chicken Burgers

So I have been attempting to add vegetables into more of our food and this is one recipe that was a hit at our house.  The finer you grate and cut up the veggies the less you will realize that they are even there.  Try these burgers out and you won't be disappointed!

Servings: 7 or 8 Burgers

Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Chicken
8 oz. Mushrooms (chop fine)
1/2 cup Yellow Onion (chop fine)
1/4 cup Grated Zucchini
1 cup Oatmeal
2 Tbsp. Ketchup
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt & Pepper

STEP 1: Cut Mushrooms & Onions then add to large bowl.  

  STEP 2: Grate Zucchini and add to bowl. 

 STEP 3: Mix in Ground Chicken, Oatmeal, Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Salt & Pepper. 

 STEP 4: Form into approximately 7-8 burgers & grill for about 10 minutes per side until no longer pink.

STEP 5: Place on a bun and finish with favorite toppings and sauce.  

Grilled Chicken Burgers with Redsin Potatoes

This is our favorite burger recipe for grilling out in the summer.  This is a healthy option and a welcome change from your typical hamburger.  I also like to pair them with redskin potatoes or my sweet potato fries (see recipe link for fries).

NOTE: I have to give the credit to my mom who passed this along.  Normally its hard to keep chicken moist when you grill but the oatmeal mixed into these burgers does the job! 

Ingredients for Burgers: 
1 lb of ground chicken
1/2 cup of Oatmeal
1/4 cup (or less) of Yellow Onion diced
1 Egg
Your choice of toppings (lettuce, tomato etc.)

Ingredients for Potatoes:
2 lbs. Redskin Potatoes
Emeril's Original Essence
Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb
1/4 cup Yellow Onion diced 

3 pounds unpeeled red potatoes
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper - See more at: http://followingthemastergardener.blogspot.com/2014/05/fresh-red-potato-salad.html#sthash.7op7y2fm.dpuf

3 pounds unpeeled red potatoes
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper - See more at: http://followingthemastergardener.blogspot.com/2014/05/fresh-red-potato-salad.html#sthash.7op7y2fm.dpuf

 STEP 1: Start the potatoes first.  Slice thinly and add seasonings and yellow onions to pan (or on grill in a cast iron pan).  Mix together and cook for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender. Stir periodically to cook all sides.

 STEP 2: While potatoes are cooking start the burgers. In a medium sized bowl mix the ground chicken, oatmeal, diced yellow onion and egg together until combined.

STEP 3: Form into 3 or 4 patties and cook on the grill or a cast iron pan for 5 to 6 minutes per side until no longer pink in the center.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!  May we remember all those who have passed serving in our Armed Forces this Memorial Day. 

Grilled Chicken Salad with Light Basil Dressing

This is our first year growing lettuce!  I am happy to say that it has been wildly successful and easy to do!  We started with Heirloom Solutions- Lettuce Heirloom Cutting Mixture Seeds.  The seeds were planted indoors on March 2nd and then transplanted into our raised bed on April 6th.  I have been busy and have waited to harvest some of the lettuce until today (May 19th) but I could have started harvesting it several weeks ago. 

I have been so amazed with the beauty of color and texture springing up in this raised bed.  Here are some great pictures below.  I have also shown how to harvest the lettuce at the end of this post if you are curious.  But for now its time to share the ingredients to this salad!

Salad Ingredients:
Lettuce
1 Chicken Breast
1/8 cup Red Onion
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Chicken Seasoning:
Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning
Emeril's Original Essence
Dressing Ingredients:
2 tsp. Olive Oil
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp. Dried Basil Flakes

STEP 1: Season chicken breast with Garlic & Herb Seasoning and Emeril's Original Essence.  Cook until no longer pink in the center (about 7-9 min. per side).

Sweet Potato Fries with a kick! (or not)

Ingredients:
(2) Large Sweet Potatoes
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or Grape Seed Oil)
1/2 tsp Emeril's Original Essence
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (omit if you don't like the kick!)
1/4 tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Garlic Salt

STEP 1: Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 5 inch pieces and put in medium sized bowl.

STEP 2: Mix the oil and the spices in a smaller bowl and pour them over the sweet potato pieces.  Mix until fries are coated. 

Homemade Redskin Potato Salad

So Memorial Day weekend is almost here and I thought I would share a few of my favorite recipes to please a crowd.  Today I start with homemade redskin potato salad. Its honestly the only way I like potato salad.....no yellow stuff for me!  Its also the ideal way to use the onions from the garden as well as delicious red skin potatoes.

Every time I make this salad someone asks me for the recipe. I have to give all the credit to my friend Kara for originally providing the recipe. (Thank you for changing my view on potato salad).  

Ingredients:
3 pounds unpeeled red potatoes
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions:

STEP 1: Bring salted pot of water to a boil.  Wash potatoes and dice them into cubes.  

STEP 2: Add red potatoes to the salted water and cook until tender/firm for 15 to 20 minutes. 

STEP 3: Chop the green onions and celery. 

Happy Happy Vegetables in the Garden

I will admit that it has been too long since my last post.  However, my family comes before my updates and this is a busy time of the year for us so the blog was on the back burner.  But no worries I have exciting updates to share!

Beautiful Heirloom Lettuce

Its already time for me to start harvesting the lettuce.  This is the first year that we have tried lettuce and we have been amazed at how healthy and well it has grown.  I ordered the "Cutting Mixture" from Heirloom Solutions which contains 12 different varieties of lettuce and we have been very pleased with the quality of seed! 

2014 Garden (BED #1 on left - BED #4 on right)

Three out of four raised beds are completely planted and we just have BED #3 left to plant (with Zucchini, Bush Beans, Peppers & Cucumbers).  Everything is growing well and flourishing under the row covers.  

2014 ADDITION OF THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN:

Digging Dirt Bed