Frozen Pesto Mix from Basil Harvest

Small basil harvest from 1 planter.












Separate leaves from woody stems.  Use only 'perfect' leaves without any brown spots, etc.. will keep better...

Bare stems.  I used the 'ugly' browning leaves fresh in cooking dinner. 

 Wash leaves delicately.

Olive oil, basil, s/p, head of garlic--nothing else because I want to use this mix with my curries.

Pour mixture into ice cube tray.

 Next day, you're ready to store them away

I just put the cubes in a ziplock but a tupperware would work just as well.

Chicken and Spinach Thai Yellow Curry with pearl couscous

 Leftover Chicken with roasted veggies (notice a couple potatoes, carrots...)

Half a frozen spinach box
Half a thai yelw curry paste
I'm out of coconut milk (sad face)
thai chili pepper from garden
fresh ginger, garlic minced
sliced onion
homemade chicken stock
pearl couscous

After sauteing meat, veggies, spices, and adding the stock--add pearl couscous and let it simmer until couscous is cooked. 

Ramen with pork shoulder leftovers

 Leftover pork shoulder with carrots, onions.  Chop up pork shoulder into small chunks.

Saute minced fresh ginger, garlic, scallions, and soy sauce with meat and veggies.

I added a handful of arugula from garden and cooked it down.

Add homemade pork stock (I keep stocks portioned and frozen for quick use). 

 I cooked ramen noodles separately (don't use spice packet) and then combined in serving dish. 

I should have made an egg as well...next time...

Roasted chicken and veggies, mushroom onion red wine sauce, fresh mozzarella tomato basil salad

 Prep

 Zucchini, tomato, garlic, onion, potatoes
Chicken
olive oil, s/p, herbes de provence

 mushrooms, onion, garlic
red wine, chicken stock (homemade)

fresh mozz
tomatoes (local)
basil (from garden)
olive oil, balsamic vin., s/p, dijon mustard

Brie Burger on toasted ciabatta with grilled yellow wax beans

BBQ Pulled Pork and Corn Empanadas

 Chop up leftover ribs and add grilled corn to bowl.  Add bbq sauce.  Use a circular object, I used a glass to shape pie crust.  Add filling and close up.  Egg wash and then bake in oven til browned.

Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs and Fresh Corn

 Habanero hot sauce, bbq sauce, and mustard with rub before going in smoker.












Ribs in Pitbarrel for 3-3.5hrs with hickory chunks.











Finish off on grill with extra coating of sauce.  Combo of Bbq sauce and smoked maple syrup.

Soak corn in water for awhile before grilling.

Leftover Chicken Cacciatore with Pearl Couscous

Zucchini Tomato Tarte

 grill sliced zucchini and tomato in oven with olive oil, s/p, and herbes de provence

 Flash pie crust in oven before starting to fill.
Spread dijon mustard on base and then align zucchini slices.  The tomato slices were a touch overcooked and didn't come off the sheet whole.  Place in tomatoes in center.  Add fresh basil leaves and frozen pesto mix in small dollops.

 A little balsamic glaze for show and extra flavor.

Burger with lettuce tomato and grilled green onions with balsamic glaze and mayo on toasted ciabatta with grilled corn on the cob

 

Chicken Cacciatore over macaroni

 mushrooms
onion, frozen homemade pesto mix
carrots, tomatoes
olive oil, s/p, herbes de provence,
fresh thyme and rosemary from garden
red wine, homemade chicken stock
leftover grilled drumsticks
sliced black olives
macaroni

grilled drumsticks, burgers, sausage, grilled yellow wax beans

Saucisson Brie Lettuce Tomato Mayo on Toasted Ciabatta