grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

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Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
We have so much rosemary growing in our garden, I am forever trying to work it into cooking, cleaning and decorating.
This rosemary infused olive oil is very flavorful, can be used in a variety of recipes and makes a great gift.
Ingredients
1 cup olive oil
5-6 sprigs rosemary
rosemary infused olive oil - great gift idea
Heat olive oil and rosemary on the stovetop on medium heat for five minutes. Return to room temperature.
Place a few of the rosemary twigs inside a decorative container and fill with olive oil. This will store in the refrigerator for a month.
Rosemary Snacks…

Popcorn: For an unusual twist on an old standby, drizzle a tablespoon of rosemary infused olive oil over air-popped popcorn. Sprinkle with finely chopped rosemary and sea salt. Yum!

Almonds: Spread 2-3 cups raw almonds on a cookie sheet. Drizzle rosemary infused olive oil over and mix to lightly coat. Sprinkle with sea salt, cayenne, chopped rosemary to taste. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Delicious!

Enjoy!

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Lucky Trefoil

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We pause
near a deep clump.
As the dogs sniff, I spot
a four-leaf clover. Charmed life?
Indeed!

trefoil
look what I found!

There are 245 recognized species of clover. Clover is part of the genus Trefoil…

Trefoils – Early Girl Scout Cookie Recipe
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar plus additional amount for topping (optional)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Cream butter and the cup of sugar; add well-beaten eggs, then milk, vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and sprinkle sugar on top, if desired. Bake in a quick oven (375°) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Makes six-to seven-dozen cookies.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
 
Grace Grits and Gardening
 
Musical Pairing:
I‘m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover – Art Mooney

Tortilla Soup with a Poem

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Tortilla Soup
You will love this tortilla soup! But first, a poem…
All night
I watch the skies.
Like an excited child
I imagine deep snowfall, soup
simmers.
snowfall

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(Gale Green’s recipe)

2 boxes (24 oz each) chicken broth
2 shredded chicken breasts (grilled or roasted)
2 cans Rotel
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 bunch chopped cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Toppings
tortilla chips (the thinner & crispier the chips the better…)
avocado, diced
shredded cheese
sour cream

Add chicken broth, Rotel, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper to dutch oven and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30 minutes. Add chicken and simmer for additional 30 minutes.
Add broken tortilla chips to bowl. Pour soup over chips to soften. Top with cheese, avocado and sour cream if desired.

Variations: Add rice and/or black beans.

Muy delicioso! Thanks Gale!

Update: I wrote this post in February 2013, after a big snowfall in Fayetteville. Thinking back, it may have been our last decent snowfall. This morning (3-21-2020), the sun is shining but we are all sheltering at home due to COVID-19. Soup makes things better. Stay safe everyone!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!