Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard Oct. 26, 11

We have the honor of hosting "Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard", while our regular host Robin and "The Italian" are away on vacation. Thanks for thinking of us Robin. This will be fun! 

"Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard" is a way to share what you have been canning, drying.....or to share a recipe, a picture, a tip.....or how you have used some of your preserved goods.

For our cupboard Belle canned green tomato salsa. She used Diana's delicious recipe that we found at The Gardener of Eden.



We had a big harvest of lemon grass this week, so Belle's been looking for creative ways to use it. Her lemon grass essential oil is a work in progress. More on that later. She also made lemon grass syrup. 

lemon grass syrup

Lemon Grass Syrup by Ana Micka in The Fresh Girl's Guide to Easy Canning and Preserving

Makes 4 pints
Hot Water Bath

3 cups sugar
3 cups water
3 cups white grape juice
8 lemon grass stalks (core only), sliced
4 lemon grass stalks (core only), cut to 3-inch pieces

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, grape juice, and lemon grass slices and pieces. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Using tongs, remove lemon grass stalk pieces from syrup and place into hot, sterilized canning jars.
3. Strain lemon grass slices (Belle did this with a stock spoon).
4. Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes.

Belle plans to add this syrup to winter fruit salads. We have cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches and strawberries in the freezer. Fresh apples and pears can be added.

Fun cocktail idea:
Lemon Grass Mojito
 In a cocktail shaker, combine 4 sprigs of fresh mint with a tablespoon of lemon grass syrup. Muddle mint and syrup. Add a jigger rum and 1/2 cup of ice. Shake and pour all into a tall glass. Top with a small stalk of lemon grass.

We're eager to see what you've been doing, so please post your goings' on in the kitchen and link up with the rest of us for good times and great cooking ideas.

11 comments:

  1. That lemon grass syrup sounds tasty. I love the flavor and scent of lemon grass. I use it a lot to make tea. The syrup would be great on fruits salads. I need to put mine in the ground next year so it will grow bigger.

    Thanks for hosting today!

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  2. How interesting about the Lemon Grass. Have never grown it and in fact never used it. If only I had more room to experiment with different things in the garden.

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  3. This week we picked Broccoli Rabe from the box which yielded 2 1/2 lbs blanced for the freezer and some mixed greens from the garden picked for dinner..I was too lazy to walk and get the camera. I plan on working on my pumpkin today, don't know which way I'll go with it.. I still have to take it easy.

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  4. Yum~~that lemon grass syrup comes in handy in making lemonade.

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  5. Lemon Grass Syrup sounds interesting. I would probably like it with a variety of things such as vanilla ice cream, fruit, and tea. I may have to add it to my list of things I'd like to grow.

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  6. Dave, we've been enjoying it too. Belle's been up to her ears in apple butter. I think she appreciates the change.

    Wilderness, it was a gift from a friend down the street. He grows all kinds of exotic things. He even has a banana tree! In Pennsylvania!

    Ginny,21/2 pounds blanched. That must have been 10 heads! Whatever you decide about the pumpkin, I know it will be delicious.

    Mac, lemonade... Mmmm... Great Idea!

    Grafix Muse, this is our first ever batch. We'll have to experiment with all your ideas and more!

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  7. I do like the idea of a lemongrass Mojito....yum....

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  8. Ooh, that mojito sounds good! Wow, your wife sounds like a busy woman with all that canning! How fun though. :-) I hope we get to get up there one day to see your garden and learn a thing or two or more from you guys!

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  9. I am not good at preserving and especially canning. But I like to learn so I really enjoy this. Looks good.

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  10. Liz, It sounds good to us too. We're yet to try it ourselves.

    Marianne, we can't wait until we get to see you all again. It's been too long.

    Malay-Kadazan girl, we're learning a lot too.

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  11. Oh the lemongrass syrup sounds awesome!! I plan to plant some lemongrass this coming Spring. Will definitely try this recipe!! If you get a chance I would love for you to enter my giveaway!

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