An edible garden is simple to start, but how do you integrate your blooming herbs, fruits and veggies into your own cooking? Prepare the soil, preselect your plants and bring your homegrown goods into the kitchen with ease and confidence. From spring gardening steps to fresh, inspired recipes, here's the scoop on edible gardening.
We're in the midst of planting season, so before learning about some scrumptious ways of using garden-fresh produce, it's only prudent to share a few basic tips on how to create a perfect, ground-to-kitchen garden.
1. Strategize Your Space
Are you using pots, raised beds or simply manipulating an existing plot? Organize the space you have and be sure to pre-determine where you'll be planting all of your favorites.
2. Give Your Soil Some Love
Creating a fruitful garden starts from the ground up. It's essential to purchase and incorporate high quality compost and organic soil, especially if you're lacking healthy, moist topsoil. The price of providing a strong foundation for your plants will be well worth it, and will save you trips to the farmers' market.
3. Add Some Helpful Critters
There are two threats to your garden's well-being: pests and poor nourishment. But, don't worry; an easy solution to both of these complications exists. Lady bugs will help prevent hungry insects from devouring your plants, and just a handful of earth worms will help keep topsoil healthy and fertilized.
4. Just Wait…and Water!
Be sure to only pick and harvest your garden's yield when it's ready. With a little patience—and persistent watering—you'll be cooking with fresh ingredients in no time.
10 Easy Garden-Inspired Recipes
Photo courtsey of aggieskitchen.com
1. Corn, Tomato and Basil Sauté
Here's a simple side dish that can accompany anything and will highlight your freshly picked veggies.
1 Tbsp. olive oil1/2 small onion, minced2 cups fresh corn (or substitute frozen)8-10 cherry tomatoes, quarteredA handful of fresh basil, juliennedSalt and pepper, to taste
Click here for the full recipe.
2. Eggplant and Lemon Risotto
Photo courtesy of turntablekitchen.com
Spring-fresh food recipes often incorporate lemons to add that unrivaled “pop.” This dish—a little heartier than a salad yet not as hefty as pasta—combines the subtle touch of Meyer lemons with earthy eggplant and risotto. Can't think of ideas for cooking with your edible-garden's eggplant? Give this one a try.
2 medium-sized eggplants1/2 cup and 1 Tbsp. olive oilSprinkling of kosher salt and ground black pepper1 onion, diced2 cloves garlic, crushed7 ounces Arborio rice1/2 cup dry white wine3 1/4 cups of hot vegetable stockZest of 1 Meyer lemon and 2 tablespoons of freshly-squeezed juice1 1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and a bit more to serveDiced basil or flat-leaf parsley, to serve
Click here for the full recipe.
3. Veggie Buns
Photo courtesy of weelicious.com
These tasty whole wheat buns are spread with a few easy to prepare vegetables: simple, fresh and healthy. Add some more of your favorites—from broccoli to carrots—and jazz them up!
1 cucumber, seeds removed1 avocado2 tsp. lime juicePinch salt8 cherry tomatoes, halved2 whole wheat hot dog buns
Click here for the full recipe.
4. Garden Pesto Pizza
Photo courtesy of midwestliving.com
Give this garden-inspired take on Margherita pizza a try; it features kale pesto and your own homegrown tomatoes!
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, 12-14 inches1/3 cup Kale Pesto (see recipe below) or basil pesto1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese2 medium, from-the-garden heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices1 tsp. pizza seasoning (salt, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper, etc.)Kale Pesto:1 pound fresh kale8 cups water1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/2 cup chopped walnuts2 large cloves garlic, quartered1/2 tsp. salt3/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
Click here for the full recipe.
5. Strawberry Arugula Salad
Photo courtesy of momskitchenhandbook.com
Between strawberries rich in Vitamin C and arugula full of calcium and iron, this dish undoubtedly deserves the recognition as a “power salad,” topped with some delicious finishing touches.
4 handfuls arugulaAged balsamic vinegarExtra-virgin olive oil8 medium strawberries, stemmed and sliced3 Tbsp. toasted, chopped hazelnuts1 oz. feta cheese, crumbledPinch or 2 flaky salt
Click here for the full recipe.
6. Chipotle Lettuce Wraps
Photo courtesy of whatsgabycooking.com
Chicken with a kick serves as the basis for these healthy wraps. There's no need to feel carb guilty. Enjoy this healthy version of fresh and tasty chipotle tacos.
6 boneless, skinless Chipotle seasoned chicken thighs, cut in half (see recipe below)1 head butter lettuce1 mango, julienned1/2 red onion, thinly sliced1/2 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced1 avocado, thinly slicedFresh mint, cilantro1-2 limes, juicedSalt and pepper to tasteChipotle Seasoning:2 Tbsp. vegetable oil2 Tbsp. water3-4 chipotle peppers in adobo1 tsp. garlic powder1 tsp. ground cumin1/2 tsp. dried oregano1/2 tsp. black pepper
Click here for the full recipe.
7. Greek Zoodles
Photo courtesy of sustainingthepowers.com
If you're unfamiliar with the latest noodle craze, zoodles—or zucchini noodles—are being spiralized and cooked just like pasta for a healthy twist on classics. Here's a zoodle dish inspired by fresh veggies and Mediterranean flavors.
2 medium zucchini squash2 medium yellow squash1 can diced tomatoes, drained1 cup artichoke hearts, diced1 cup black olives, drained and sliced1 cup crumbled feta cheese1 cup rotisserie chicken or turkey (optional to add more protein)Salt and pepper to taste
Click here for the full recipe.
8. Shrimp Succotash
Photo courtesy of myrecipes.com
Go all out with this medley of veggies and flavorful ingredients, including fresh jumbo shrimp.
2 cups fresh butter beans1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt1 1/2 lbs. peeled and deveined, extra-large raw shrimp2 Tbsp. olive oil1/4 tsp. ground black pepper1 cup sliced, fresh okra1 small sweet onion, chopped1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced1/2 cup diced red bell pepper2 garlic cloves, minced1 medium heirloom tomato, seeded and diced1 cup fresh corn kernels (2 ears)1/4 cup chopped, fresh basil1 Tbsp. butter
Click here for the full recipe.
9. Asparagus with Eggs and Parmesan
Photo courtesy of thekitchn.com
Inspired by exquisite, fresh asparagus spears, this recipe is a humble, yet sophisticated take on classic asparagus hors d'oeuvres.
1 bunch asparagus (about 3/4 pound)3 eggs, hard-boiled, sliced in half length-wise1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese1 Tbsp. good quality olive oil or truffle oil1/2 tsp. flaky sea salt or truffle saltFreshly ground black pepper, to taste
Click here for the full recipe.
10. Fresh Berry Vanilla Cake
Photo courtesy of lifeloveandsugar.com
Utilize your garden's fresh strawberries, blueberries or even blackberries in a way that makes the succulent flavors stand out. Like the classic strawberry shortcake, this vanilla cake recipe is a perfect way to show off those bursting-with-flavor berries that your springtime palette has been craving.
Cake:
1 1/2 cups sugar3/4 cup salted butter4 tsp. vanilla extract3/4 cup sour cream6 egg whites2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour4 tsp. baking powder3/4 cup milkStrawberry Puree:6 medium-large strawberries5 Tbsp. water4 tsp. sugarBlueberry Puree:2/3 cup blueberries2 1/2 tsp. water1 tsp. blueberriesWhipped Cream and Topping:2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream1 1/4 cups powdered sugar2 tsp. vanilla extractAdditional strawberries and blueberries for decoration
Click here for the full recipe.
