Karen's Kitchen

Karen's Kitchen

Use Your Summer Tomatoes
One of the most wonderful things about summer is fresh tomatoes. I could eat them three times a day. The tomatoes that we find in the market during the winter just aren’t the same. They don’t taste like they are even in the same family. Of course that’s because they are picked green and shipped all over the country. However, during the glorious days of summer, we can find fresh, ripe locally grown tomatoes almost anywhere. Do you have tomatoes yet? We don't and I can hardly wait! Our plants look great but alas, no tomatoes yet.

May 23, 2012 2 Photos
It’s grilling time but don’t forget the sides
When you think of grilling, what is the first thing that pops into your head? A big juicy steak? Shrimp? That’s what most of us think about when we think about the backyard grill. However, that is only part of the meal. If the protein that you cook isn’t accompanied by great side dishes, the meal is still missing a key component. Here are some great side dish recipes that may even out shine that steak!

May 2, 2012 2 Photos
Lemony Lemon Balm
You never know when you are going to run across something that impacts you. I was shopping in Charleston for groceries for my work week. At the entrance to the supermarket, were some tomato plants. I decided to buy one to keep in front of the window in my hotel room. As I was looking at the tomato plants, I saw a small pot that had a lemon balm plant in it.

April 26, 2012 1 Photo
Cool Summer Drinks
Before we know it, summer will be here. It felt like summer today. I love it! But, with summer comes very hot weather. It won’t be long until we are looking for ways to stay cool. These summer drink recipes will help.

April 18, 2012 2 Photos
Getting the Green
We started planting our garden, as I’m sure many of you have. Of course, we have probably planted it too early. But, we have that problem every year. When it warms up just a little, we get anxious for “real” spring, so we plant. Sometimes multiple times.
So, then I start looking for recipes for some of the things that we grow. We give away a lot of the produce but we also keep a lot of it. That means that I look for a lot of veggies.

April 11, 2012 2 Photos
Easter Greats
Everyone get to hide Easter eggs. It’s a tradition that I love to hold up. I enjoy every aspect of the egg from dying and decorating them to figuring out what to do with the leftovers. Even though I don’t have kids at home any more, doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy Easter eggs.

April 4, 2012 2 Photos
Bananas
I love bananas. They are good for you but I love them for the taste not the health benefits. Also, almost everyone I know loves bacon. How could you not? So, combining bacon and bananas just seems like a natural to me. I was right. They are great together! I really hope you try some of these recipes. They are easy but so delicious. Each one has either bacon, bananas or both.

March 28, 2012 2 Photos
Pot Luck with a difference
Have you ever just opened your pantry door and stood there looking inside, trying to decide what to cook for dinner? I think most of us have done that at one time or another. It could be because we just don’t know what we are in the mood for or it may be that we didn’t have time to grocery shop and things are getting a little thin! Whatever the reason, we need some easy “go to” recipes for those situations.

March 7, 2012 2 Photos
Easy can be delicious
Just because a recipe is quick, easy or inexpensive, doesn’t mean that it can’t be delicious. With the use of spices and presentation you can make even the most inexpensive meal into a work of culinary art! I am not very good at presentation, I tend to cook really good food but then just slap it on the plate. I’m working on that and so should you. A pretty plate, a colorful mix of foods and a little garnish changes a ho-hum meal into a wow meal.

February 29, 2012 2 Photos
Ground Beef Primer
From time to time, I receive requests for articles and recipes on a specific topic. I have received several of those lately and will be trying to incorporate them as I can find the info and recipes. One recent one was for beef recipes. With the cost of food lately, inexpensive beef is a great meal make.

February 15, 2012 2 Photos
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