Corena’s Kitchen
Every Wednesday at Bob's Market and Greenhouses, we share inspiring recipes that celebrate the fresh vegetables harvested from your garden. These recipes not only highlight seasonal produce but also provide creative ways to incorporate your homegrown veggies into delicious meals. Whether you’re looking for hearty salads, savory soups, or flavorful stir-fries, our weekly posts offer a variety of ideas to help you make the most of your garden bounty. Join us for culinary inspiration that transforms your garden's offerings into delightful dishes for you and your family.
Haymaker's Punch
Before there were sports drinks to rehydrate and replace electrolytes after intense physical labor, there was “haymaker’s punch”, or “switchel”. Similar to lemonade, this all-natural drink is currently enjoying a resurgence among modern homesteaders, hipsters, and even upscale restaurants.
Before there were sports drinks to rehydrate and replace electrolytes after intense physical labor, there was “haymaker’s punch”, or “switchel”. Similar to lemonade, this all-natural drink is currently enjoying a resurgence among modern homesteaders, hipsters, and even upscale restaurants. Thanks to its many health benefits, great taste, and refreshing bite, this drink is primed to become the next big trend.
Haymaker’s punch has a long history as a traditional drink with Colonial Americans. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients – apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and a sweetener. Although the history is fuzzy on its origins in the colonies, most believe it was a common drink on Caribbean plantations in the 1600s and then spread to the colonies. Others say it’s derived from “oxymel”, an ancient Greek medicinal elixir made from vinegar, honey and water. Wherever its origins, by the 18th century, “haymaker’s punch” was being guzzled down by American farmers during long work days to keep cool and stay hydrated in the heat.
The ginger that makes up a key part of haymaker’s punch is a natural inflammation reducer. Inflammation, which is at the root of most diseases, causes physical symptoms like skin problems and digestive issues. So keeping inflammation at bay with the ginger found in haymaker’s punch can have other unexpected, welcome side effects, like clearing up acne.
Additionally, because it reduces inflammation, which also counts pain as a side effect, ginger is also a powerful pain fighter. In fact, one study found that consuming a small amount of ginger is more effective at reducing pain symptoms and inflammation than painkillers. Next time you feel a headache coming on, skip that painkiller and reach for haymaker’s punch instead.
Electrolytes are nutrients or chemicals in your body that help it perform specific functions, like regulating your heart beat or telling your legs it’s time to get moving. But after undergoing intense physical exertion (like running a marathon), getting sick, eating a poor diet or even taking certain medications, an electrolyte imbalance can occur. Signs that your electrolytes need some replenishing include constantly feeling thirsty, frequent headaches, fatigue and nausea.
But because of the sweetener and apple cider vinegar found in haymaker’s punch, electrolytes, particularly potassium, are replenished, making it an excellent alternative to sugary drinks like Gatorade. Pour a glass after a tough workout on a hot day to feel refreshed and help your body restore its electrolyte balance.
Mason Bees Also Approved of My Batch :-)
Ingredients
½ gallon water
¾ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ tablespoon fresh ginger (ground)
(Although, dried ginger powder was the most readily available form in the 1700s, the benefits of fresh ginger are more numerous so I would recommend using it instead.)
I like molasses, but you could replace it with maple syrup, honey, or another sweetener. You could cut back the sweetener, too. (I prefer just a few tablespoons per half gallon.) Find the right balance for you. Remember to start with less—as you can always add more. Haymaker’s punch shouldn’t coat your mouth; it should taste refreshing. Another idea is to add a teaspoon of fresh lemon or lime juice for zing.
Tomato Paste
Last week we jumped the gun, and shared a recipe for homemade pizza sauce. If you really want to start from scratch with fresh tomatoes, try this recipe for making tomato paste.
Last week we jumped the gun, and shared a recipe for homemade pizza sauce. If you really want to start from scratch with fresh tomatoes, try this recipe for making tomato paste.
Ingredients
- 8 quarts roma tomatoes, about 4 dozen (or other meaty tomatoes)
- 1 1⁄2 cups sweet red peppers, chopped (about 3)
- 1 cup chopped onion (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons oregano (optional)
- 1 -2 tablespoon honey (optional-if you want it a little sweeter)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
Directions
- Wash and trim tomatoes. Blanch and remove skin if desired, or press through sieve when done cooking.
- Combine tomatoes, red peppers,onions, bay leaves, basil,oregano, honey, if using, and salt in a large stockpot and cook slowly for about 1 hour.
- Press through a fine sieve. Add garlic, and continue cooking slowly until thick enough to keep its shape on a spoon, about 2 1/2 hours. Stir frequently to keep from sticking.(this could be done in a crockpot-just stir and keep an eye on it).
- Pour through sieve(if you left the skins on), then pour into hot 1/2 pint canning jars, leaving 1/2" headspace.
- Process 1/2 pints 45 minutes in a boiling water bath.
- Makes about 9 1/2 pint jars.
Amazing Pizza Sauce
If you're like me, you might have tomatoes coming out your ears right now. Here is a unique way to use them.
If you're like me, you might have tomatoes coming out your ears right now. Here is a unique way to use them.
Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- salt to taste
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
- Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.
Vegetable Garden Salsa
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
3/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 to 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Tortilla chips
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, green pepper, onions, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, oil, jalapeno and seasonings. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips. Yield: 5 cups.
Nectarine Salsa
A refreshingly sweet and tangy blend. Especially good when cooked on the grill and served with a mild fish such as tilapia. If you are grilling fish, the salsa can be cooked on the grill at the same time and served over the fillets.
A refreshingly sweet and tangy blend. Especially good when cooked on the grill and served with a mild fish such as tilapia. If you are grilling fish, the salsa can be cooked on the grill at the same time and served over the fillets.
Ingredients
- 2 nectarines, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a bowl, mix the nectarines, onion, vinegar, sugar, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Allow to sit 5 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the nectarine mixture 10 minutes, until onion and nectarines are tender and lightly browned.
Cucumber Salad With Thai Sweet Chili Vinaigrette
Cool, spicy, and sweet, this salad is a great choice for hot summer days.
Cool, spicy, and sweet.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Whisk rice vinegar, chili sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic together in a small bowl; season with salt.
2. Combine cucumber and onion in a separate bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over cucumber and onion mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Toss before serving.