March 6, 2011

1 avocado ($.88)

1 apple, peeled and chopped ($.50)

1 tablespoon agave ($.10)

1 dropper stevia

This is really filling, really fresh, and really simple. Just process all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the “S” blade until smooth.

Pineapple Stir Fry
serves 2 ~ $3.47 per serving

1 head broccoli, chopped into florets ($1.29)

1 small pineapple, cut into chunks ($3.00)

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced ($.25)

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced ($1.00)

1 carrot, peeled and shaved ($.10)

1 cup snow peas ($.50)

2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)

3 tablespoons agave ($.30)

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.30)

This is light but also hearty and quite filling, especially served warm straight from the dehydrator.

Prepare the fruit and vegetables as directed above. In a small cup, whisk together the olive oil, agave, and balsamic vinegar. In a medium bowl, pour the mixture over the fruit and vegetables and stir to coat. Spread out on a lined dehydrator tray. Dehydrate at 115 degrees for about 2 hours, or until softened and warmed through.

1 zucchini ($.50)

8 oz mushrooms ($1.88)

1 tablespoon olive oil ($.10)

2 tablespoons agave ($.20)

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ($.20)

1 bag spinach ($1.89)

1 medium red onion ($.25)

1 grapefruit ($.60)

Peel the zucchini and slice into slabs or wedges about 1/4 inch thick. Put in a bowl along with the mushrooms. In a small cup, whisk together the olive oil, agave. and balsamic vinegar and pour over the zucchini slices and mushrooms. Toss to coat. Spread out on a lined dehydrator sheet and dehydrate for about 2 hours, until softened a bit and warm.

Arrange spinach on plate. Add thinly sliced red onion and grapefruit sections. Top with the warmed mushrooms and zucchini.

makes 12 dates ~ $.22 each

1/2 cup cashews ($.50)

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon agave ($.10)

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 dates ($2.00)

candied pecans

In a small, bullet type blender, process the cashews, water, agave, and salt until smooth and the constancy of thick cream. Refrigerate for about an hour to let it firm. 

Once firm, split each date and add a dollop of cashew cream to the center. Top with a candied pecan.

Candied pecans are simple to make. Just coat pecans with a generous amount of agave, with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne. Then spread them out on a dehydrator sheet and dehydrate overnight. The agave will be liquid when they’re warm, but will harden up quite a bit as they cool.

This is a newly sprouted 4th of July tomato seeding. It’s amazing how just one tiny seed (about $.20 per seed, from Burpee) can grow into a plant that could produce many pounds of tomatoes … which are as much as $2.99 a lb in the stores. That’s quite a return on investment!

Not only that, but this is a super early, forty nine day tomato. My birthday is June 25th. Every year my Holy Grail of tomato growing is to have ripe tomatoes on my birthday. This year may be the one.

In addition to several different types of tomatoes, I’ve started arugula, kale, lettuces, cabbages, other greens, and bell peppers … and will be starting Moonflowers today. 

Dollar Seed is sponsoring a seed giveaway for my readers. There are three different giveaways.

1) For the gardener who can’t wait! ~ The Sprouts
All certified Organic – Alfalfa, Broccoli DiCiccio, Daikon Radish, Red Clover and Soybeans.
 

2) The Tomato Lover
Tomatillo (paper tomato), Beefsteak, Pink Brandy-wine Heirloom, Sweet Cherry Mix, and Roma
 

To enter, just leave a comment below. 

For extra entries …