Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #3

 Due to a stomach bug I have fallen behind on the Christmas posts.  Since there are only four days left until Christmas it’s time to talk about gift cards.

True Leaf Market 

One of my favorite gardening supply stores True Leaf Market carries a variety of seeds, including seeds from Kitazawa seed company.  If you like Asian vegetables and herbs they have the best.  Use coupon code TLMGIFTS15 to receive 15% off.

Cato Corner Farm

I love cheese and come from a family obsessed with great cheese.  Cato Corner Farm is owned by relatives of my sister in law and I have been fortunate to have been gifted their cheese regularly.  They have the best blue cheese I have ever had.  Blue cheese on crackers, drizzled with a sweet tamarind sauce is amazing.

Burlap and Barrel 

Burlap and Barrel carries ethically sourced, small batch and very fresh spices.  I’ve been using their products for a long time and they truly uplift recipes to a new level.  I asked for their monthly spice club as my gift this year.

Northspore Mushrooms 

Northspore carries everything needed for home mushroom growing.  I have been fortunate to have a partnership with the company and I think any gardener who wants to take their food production to the next level will enjoy receiving a gift certificate from them.   Use the coupon code FRUGALMENNONITE for 10% off your purchase.

God bless and Happy Holidays,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #2

 If you have someone in your life that loves salad greens, misses their garden in the winter, or a child that wants to try gardening, the True Leaf Market mini micro green growing kits will make a thoughtful gift.  Plus they are so reasonably priced that you can gift several varieties at a time.

In fact, this is my go to gift this Holiday season.  

One of my favorite meals is a seafood salad sprinkled with spicy radish sprouts.  Just the right amount of spice and crunch.

Use the coupon code TLMGIFTS15 for 15% off your purchase.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts 2023 #1

 If you have a forager on your list or someone that wants to know more about wild plants, I highly recommend Eat The Weeds by  Deane Jordan.  

One of the things that I really love is that nutritional information is included, plus excellent photos and descriptions.

God bless,

Pam

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Wishing you a peaceful and happy day.

The Frugal Kitchen: Ginger and Turmeric Chicken and Rice

 I woke up this morning feeling puny and decided to cook a dish that I find both healing and comforting.  It’s a version of chicken and yellow rice that’s heavy on two health giving spices, turmeric and ginger.

Ingredients 

4 chicken thighs 

2 Tablespoons olive oil 

1 small onion, roughly chopped 

4 or 5 minced garlic cloves 

1 teaspoon powdered turmeric 

4 teaspoons powdered coriander 

2 tablespoons finely minced ginger 

1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeño 

5 cups chicken broth 

1 bunch Tatsoi or Pak Choi, leaves separated from the stems 

1 1/2 cups rice 

1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro 

1 teaspoon salt 

Black pepper to taste 

Heat the oil in a heavy pot, add onion, garlic, coriander, turmeric, ginger and jalapeño, lightly sauté.  Add chicken broth, chicken thighs, black pepper and tatsoi stems.  Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook covered for an hour.  Remove chicken thighs from the pot and allow to cool.  Remove the meat from the bones, return to pot.  Add salt, tatsoi leaves, cilantro and rice to the pot and simmer covered for 30 minutes.  Most, but not all of the liquid should have been absorbed by the rice.  If you prefer to serve this as a soup add more chicken broth.

This dish was a hit with my family and definitely one of my favorite comfort foods.

Enjoy and God Bless,

Pam

Mango Lassi Recipe

 I’ve been recovering from a gastrointestinal virus and my go to recovery food is a lassi in place of a meal.  There are sweet lassi, spicy lassi, and salty lassi.  I like a sweet lassi with a touch of salt.

The yogurt in the lassi is perfect for getting the digestive system back in shape.

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup plain yogurt 

1/4 cup milk if using regular yogurt or 1/2 cup milk for Greek yogurt 

1/2 of a mango or fruit of your choice (frozen fruit works well)

2 Tablespoons honey 

Pinch of salt or 1/8 teaspoon of homemade electrolyte mix 

Blend everything in the blender with a small amount of ice if you’re not using frozen fruit.

I enjoy drinking a lassi as a meal replacement or a snack.  Enjoy!

God bless,

Pam

Homemade Sports Drink Substitute

 It’s been hot, so very hot that, even when I drink a lot of water, I end up feeling awful after a couple of hours working outside.  My garden is suffering from lack of attention and I am suffering from hyperthermia.

It’s become obvious that water isn’t going to work for me and I don’t like the flavor and high sugar content of commercial sports drinks.  So I’ve decided to start drinking a homemade substitute electrolyte powder.  The ingredients are easily available at stores and online.

INGREDIENTS 

1/2 cup pure salt (without additives)

1 3/4 tablespoons potassium chloride powder 

1/2 teaspoon magnesium glycinate powder 

Mix the ingredients in a small jar and shake to mix well.  To use, mix 1/8 teaspoon to 8 ounces liquid of your choice.  In plain water it just tastes like slightly salty water.  I sometimes add some flavored drops or if you fell you need the sugar add the electrolyte powder to juice.

For just a few cents you can drink the same type of electrolyte drink that costs dollars in the store.  My grandpa used to work for the railroad and he used to tell me that on hot days he would pack lemons and salt to mix with water.  I like to think that this is just a new timey version of my grandpa’s recipe.

God bless,

Pam