Fresh Pasta Sauce
Have you ever made spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes? The delicious aroma of tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs fills up the house, making everyone antsy for suppertime. Try this amazing recipe out!
You’ll need:
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 12 Roma tomatoes
- ½ cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tbsp of sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp of salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
To make:
Boil a pot of water and all Roma tomatoes, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the skins start to break open. Remove the tomatoes and put them in a bowl of ice water. Once cool, remove the tomato skins. Chop the stem area off of the tomatoes and toss.
Heat oil in a large pot. Add garlic and onion; saute for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Cook another 10 minutes, using a masher to smoosh the tomatoes.
Once the tomatoes are broken down, add your tomato sauce, herbs, sugar, salt and pepper. Mash them for another 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low; add butter. Stir until well blended.
Serve with pasta of your choice and top with some freshly grated Parmesan. Yum!
Have you started your tomatoes yet? If not, stop by the Greenhouse and pick up a few varieties.
Chocolate Mint Smoothie
We love Chocolate Mint here at the Greenhouse. Deep green with rich shades of brown, Chocolate Mint is great for desserts, teas, etc. Try this smoothie recipe for a quick morning boost!
You’ll need:
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your milk of choice)
- 1 cup water
- ½ of an avocado
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- ¼ cup fresh Chocolate Mint
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
- Stevia to taste (or sweetener of choice)
- Ice (optional)
To make:
Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Follow us on Pinterest for more amazing herb uses!
Fried Green ‘Maters
Warm months are just around the corner and you’ll be able to reap the benefits of all your gorgeous tomato plants. Pass the grilled chicken, the potato salad, and, best of all, the fried green tomatoes!
What you’ll need:
4 large and firm green tomatoes (beefsteak work just fine)
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp pepper
2 eggs
1 tbsp water
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup olive oil
4 tbsp butter
To make:
Slice your tomatoes to about a quarter of an inch thick. Mix flower, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or dish. In a second bowl, whisk eggs and water together. Put bread crumbs in another plate. Coat your tomatoes in the flour, then egg mixture, and finish with the bread crumbs.
In a hot pan, mix your butter and oil. When sizzling, add your tomatoes frying 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until they are tender. Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with salt and enjoy!
Haven’t planted your tomatoes yet? Head on out to the Greenhouse to pick up a few varieties perfect for sauces, salads, and, of course, fried green tomatoes!
Impatiens Care
Appropriately referred to as “Busy Lizzie”, impatiens propagate like crazy. Even the gentlest touch can cause a ripe impatiens seed pod to burst, scattering its seeds about. Available in a rainbow of colors, impatiens love shade and moisture. Here are a few tips to keep these beautiful blooms healthy and thriving.
Planting
After the last Spring frost, plant impatiens in a humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Plant them in an area where they have a bit of shelter from the wind. Impatiens can grow up to 30 inches tall so plant them 8-12 inches apart to keep them low to the ground. When it comes to sun, some impatiens like more sun than others. Be sure to check the label.
Care
As we said, impatiens love moisture. Be sure to water them regularly, keeping them moist but not wet. If they get too much water, they could develop fungal diseases. If they start to lose their leaves, they need more water.
We have several varieties of beautiful impatiens here at the Greenhouse! Stop on by and pick some up.
