Availability List for this week

Cilantro
Flat Parsley
Curly Parsley
Oregano
Sweet Basil
Thai Basil
Lime Basil
Cinnamon Basil
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Chives
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Lemon Balm
Peppermint
Bee Balm

Availability This Week

Basil is ready!  We have several varieties including Sweet, Thai, Lime and Purple.  Also available this week are Parsley, Cilantro, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Oregano, and Bee Balm.  The Rosemary and Thyme are almost ready!  We still have Jerusalem Artichoke plants for sale, and delicious Kale!  Let us know what you'd like!  

Don't Count Kale Out!

When you mention kale, a lot of people immediately think "health food" or "green smoothies". ;) Besides the traditional ways to enjoy this healthy, leafy treat, kale can be eaten as a chip!  That's right, Kale chips are easy to make, delicious and good for you!  Warning: kale chips are addictive and may require baking of repeated batches.

Seven Springs Farm has plenty of fresh kale for sale!  You may contact us directly or it is also available through Clemson Area Food Exchange (www.cafe.com) and Six Mile Farmer's Depot (Thursdays, Main St. Six Mile, 4-7pm).  

                     Kale Chips

1 bunch kale

1 tsp sea salt or seasoned salt for more flavor

1 Tbsp olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  You may line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly with a cooking spray.

2. Wash and dry kale leaves well.  Tear or cut leaves off of the thick stems and tear into but size pieces.  

3. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. 

4.  Bake 10-15 minutes until leaf edges are browned and crispy. (Do not let them burn).

Herb Butter for Extra Flavor

The multitude of culinary herbs add such delicious flavor when cooking.  Whether it be a marinated chicken breast, a creamy sauce or a hot slice of bread, herbs impart their unique taste to each recipe. A fun way to give a little boost to your dishes is with homemade herb butter!

There are many different recipes for herb butter or you can create your own unique spread.  It is so easy to make these!  We enjoy our homemade herb butters on fresh bread or with grilled chicken or fish. The one I make most often is an Italian spread.

Italian Herb Butter

Take one stick of real butter and allow to soften to room temperature.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the following herbs and seasonings with the butter:

1 Tbsp Italian herb seasoning

1/2 tsp minced garlic

Ground sea salt to taste

A small pinch of ground peppercorn 

Mix with a large spatula until ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Spoon mixture onto a piece of wax the edge of a piece of wax paper, rolling into a log.  Chill until firm.  The herb butter is best used within a short amount of time to avoid spoiling or it can be kept in the freezer and cut off as needed.  

Now, for our exciting news!  Seven Springs Farm is thrilled to announce we will soon be carrying our own dried herb blends for cooking.  We will have several to choose from including a Garlic Sea Salt blend (made from our own fresh garlic), Seasoning Salt, Lemon Pepper, Ranch Dressing mix, and of course, Italian seasoning.  Fresh herbs are healthy and delicious, but in lieu of fresh, locally-grown dried herbs are best!  

A sincere thanks to all our customers!  We love what we do and enjoy being your local provider for fresh, naturally-grown herbs.  Please contact us with any questions or for orders.  Our products may also be purchased through the Clemson Area Food Co-op (CAFE) or Six Mile Farmer's Depot.

 

The Appeal of Cilantro

To many people, cilantro is one of those herbs that, because of its distinctive aroma and taste, makes you think of certain foods.  Around our house, cilantro is very popular.  Cilantro is bursting with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients.  It is good and good for you!

One of our family's most often requested meals is Black Bean Corn Salsa.  We eat it with corn chips or in a wrap.  It's also fantastic just by itself!                    

Another delicious summer cilantro recipe is Cilantro Lime Chicken.  As a bonus, this one is made in the crockpot!  

      Black Bean Corn Salsa recipe                                         

                                                                                       













      Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe
 

Photos courtesy Foodnetwork.com and Allrecipes.com

Get ready for summer with Peppermint Lemonade!

This sounds like the perfect beverage to cool off with after a hot, summer day.  Besides being refreshing, both lemon and peppermint are excellent for aiding indigestion.  Mix up a batch of this delicious lemonade for your next backyard cookout or BBQ.  We have fresh peppermint available all summer long!

Recipe for Peppermint Lemonade

Available this week

Jerusalem Artichokes are available beginning this week.  These rather prolific plants have a pretty yellow flower on tall stalks in late summer.  As a bonus, the underground tubers are edible.  Some have said they have a nutty, potato-like flavor.   Since they are perennials, they will reappear every year without any work from you and they spread on underground runners.  Check out the above link for some great information on these plants.  We'll have them at the Six Mile Farmer's Depot on Thursday or you can contact us via our facebook page.

We also have lots of lettuce, peppermint, lemon balm, parsley and cilantro available!

The spring onions, spinach, Brussel sprouts, kale and other herbs are growing quickly and will hopefully start being added to our weekly availability list.  Thanks for checking in with us!