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— La’NÉ

Let the fun begin—July is here!  Most of us start this month with the celebratory activities of Independence Day on July 4th.

With my family, any celebration revolves around good food and family fun.  Our history and heritage of the land, as well as what and how we grow and use the final product, are always central to the theme. And, therefore, so is the herb garden.

If thoughts of a barbecue do not readily conger images of the herb garden, I would like to share some points with all of you master grillers. Read on…you just might become the star of your next cookout!

No matter what you are baking, grilling, or smoking on the open flame, adding some spice will enhance its flavor. Fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil all work magic on grilled foods. You can cut them right from the garden, rinse in cold water, and then shake lightly before tossing on the food. Because the oils from the herbs slowly release into whatever you’re cooking, the result is awesome!

Let’s not forget dessert! You haven’t tasted the best homemade ice cream in the world until you’ve tried the next herbal secret. (I’ll assume that you have the basic ice cream churning techniques down pat.) In choosing your flavors, remember that herbs make delicious add-ins.

Here are some all-time favorites:

• Toss lavender right into the basic ice cream mixture; blend and it’s ready.

• When making berry ice cream, add a bit of peppermint or lemon balm essential oil to the mixture.

• A touch of ginger to lemon or vanilla is perfect.

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In the heat of summer, consider a refreshing beverage that does not come from a can!

My favorite “Herbal Punch”

This recipe serves about 30, so adjust accordingly.

2 cups of local honey

8-1/2 pints of water

2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves

8 cups sliced strawberries

2 cups freshly squeezed lime juice

4 pints sparkling mineral water

ice cubes

A few scented geranium leaves

Some rosemary sprigs for garnish
Combine the honey, 4 -1/2 cups of water, 1/8 of the lemon juice, and the rosemary leaves in a pan. Bring to a boil, stirring until all the honey is dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow mixture to stand for 5 minutes.

Strain into a large punch bowl.

Press the strawberries through a fine sieve into the punch bowl. Add the rest of the water, lemon juice, lime juice, and sparkling water. Stir gently.

Add ice cubes 5 minutes before serving. Float the geranium and rosemary leaves on the surface of your punch.

Have a safe and joyful July celebration with appreciation for our country’s bounty and freedoms.

Bea Kunz
sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com