Smoky Ribs BBQ Basting Sauce

1/3 cup olive oil
1/8 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1/3 cup flat beer
1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

Combine all ingredients and use for basting ribs at least once every half hour while smoking.
-OR-
Combine all ingredients and use on ribs during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling them. This will caramelize as it finishes on the grill. Use as a dipping sauce for those that enjoy extra sauce.

BBQ Rub

1/4 cup kosher salt
1/8 cup paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

Mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Sprinkle on chicken, pork, or beef.
Makes 3/4 cup

Tropical Salsa

1 mango-peeled, seeded, & cubed
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Salsa will have a more vivid taste if refrigerated for a couple of hours before serving.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

-Mix everything together and store in an airtight container.
For taco meat
-Add some seasoning to browned ground beef, after the grease has been drained. Add the quantity desired to taste. Add water to achieve desired consistency

Basil Plants – How To Care for Them & Using The Leaves

We just recently got in some pots of fresh, organic basil! This is perfect timing, since Michigan tomatoes are not far behind and the two are perfect culinary partners. It has been brought to our attention that while most people enjoy fresh herbs, they can be a little intimidating to use. So we’re going to share some basic tips that may make basil ownership a bit less daunting, as well as a few common uses.

First we’ll cover how to care for a basil plant. They are sun loving and the soil should be kept damp, but not too wet. If the plant gets too much water, it may show distress by the bottom leaves turning yellow. If it’s getting too little water, the leaves will start to look wrinkled and limp. Just give it a good dose of water and it should return back to normal. If you purchase the plant from us, you can either leave it in the pot and place it in a sunny window, or plant it outside. Basil does not like cold weather, so avoid cold air vents and, if you plant it outside, know that it won’t last through the first frost. Your plant will start to grow some flowers, and you’ll want to pinch those off. Once the plant grows flowers it will stop growing leaves, so removing the flowers will encourage your plant to continue growing.

Now for the exciting part – including it in your dishes! When you’re ready to use them, just pick a few leaves, rinse them off, and pat them dry. Brandy likes to lay them on top of each other and cut them all at once. You can cut them into thin strips or small pieces, whichever you prefer. Don’t use the stem, just the leaves. If you are having pizza delivered, or opening up a can of tomato soup, chop some up and sprinkle it on top. If you’re making a tomato sauce, for something like spaghetti, add about 1 tablespoon. We’ll share with you Brandy’s favorite way to use fresh basil – she likes to cut it into smaller pieces and mix with chopped mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh cracked pepper, salt, and a little olive oil. She will then serve the dish as a side, as a topping for French bread (brushetta style), or will use it to fill portabella mushroom caps to go on the grill or in the oven.

The nice thing about the basil plant is that the more often you pick leaves the more the plant is encouraged to grow. So stop in and pick up a plant to take home and discover for yourself how great fresh basil is!