More stories

  • in ,

    Four Ways to Cook and Serve Cardoon

    Cardoon steamed

    Cardoon is related to the artichoke and looks much like an artichoke. Cardoon is prepared like asparagus and celery and is served as a vegetable side dish or added to soups or stews. Cooked it is soft and meaty. Cardoon has a more bitter than sweet taste that hints of artichoke, asparagus, celery, and salsify. […] More

  • in ,

    How to Cook and Serve Bitter Melon

    Bitter melon

    Bitter melon can be eaten raw when thinly sliced raw but it’s commonly cooked. Bitter melon can be stir-fried, parboiled, or stuffed. The bitter melon picked at maturity will be bitter. The younger, thinner, shorter, and bright green bitter melon will be less bitter tasting. The bitter melon harvest season runs from mid-spring through late […] More

  • in ,

    How to Cook and Serve Bamboo Shoots

    Fresh bamboo shoots

    Bamboo shoots slowly simmered have a delicate, bitter flavor and earthy aroma. Fresh bamboo shoots can be sliced and boiled, sautéed or braised, and served as an accompaniment to meat and fish. They can be slow-cooked with other vegetables or stir-fried. The crunchy texture of young, tender bamboo shoots makes them a great choice served […] More

  • in ,

    Seven Ways to Cook and Serve Okra

    Okra with tomatoes and garlic

    Okra is easily cooked and served. Okra has a rich, sweet earthy flavor. The flavor is similar to eggplant with hints of asparagus and artichoke.  The peak okra harvest season is mid to late summer.  How to choose okra Kitchen Helpers from Amazon: How to store okra How to prep okra for cooking How to […] More

  • in ,

    Onion Cooking and Serving Tips

    Bulb onions

    Onions come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors, as well as specific varieties. There are fresh onions and onions for storage. There are onions for eating raw and onions for cooking. There are mild onions and pungent onions. There are onions that grow best where the days are short and onions that […] More

  • in ,

    Herbs for Tea

    Mint tea 1

    Mint and chamomile are the most common herb teas, but you can brew tea from almost any garden herb. Herb teas are soothing and often health-giving. They contain virtually none of the caffeine found in coffee. Herbal tea is easy to make: put a handful of fresh herbs (about ¼ cup) per cup of tea […] More

  • in ,

    Seven Ways to Serve Kale

    Kale Lacinato1

    Kale can be steamed, sautéed, boiled, and simmered. Kale can be tenderized and served in salads or combined with potatoes to make a tasty soup. Kale is a great match with hearty foods such as pork chops, fried catfish, garlicky sausage, and cornbread. Kale can be prepared just as you would spinach. It should not […] More