Strawberry Tomato Gazpacho Gluten Free Recipe

Our Food Co-Op had this great recipe for Strawberry Tomato Gazpacho. I've never had a gazpacho before but loved the idea. It turned out great and was quite a hit with my reluctant family to eat cold soup.  The kids loved that we served it in fun glasses and garnished it with fresh chives from our garden.

• 1 Pound Organic Strawberries, washed, hulled and coarsely chopped
• 1 Pound Organic Tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 1 Cup Organic Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 Cup Organic Cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 Onion, chopped
• 1 clove Gresh Garlic
• 1 Fresh Jalapeno, seeds and stem removed
• Zest of 1 Lime
• 4 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Blend all the ingredients in a blender, in small batches if necessary. Stir well and taste and season with salt.

Summer Time Gourmet Garden Delights

What do you get when you combine fresh garden ingredients with a sprinkle of mozzarella? Does it even matter? I've just named the two most important ingredients to any fabulous treat. Fresh and Fresh!

Wholesome foods combined together to make an amazing appetizer can never go wrong.

Head over to Planet Gift Basket and see our latest recipe find.

Passion Tea Lemonade

Just the sound of that title has my mouth watering. Just a moment while I go pour myself a glass.

This delightful drink is so easy to make you will wonder why you didn't think of it. Of course I'm wondering why I didn't think of it. My good friend came to visit and brought me over her take on this popular coffee house version of Passion Tea Lemonade. I was recluant to try it at first since I did not enjoy that particular coffee houses version. At first sip I was in love and made her tell me her secret.

Want to know how to make this for yourself? Hop on over to Planet Gift Baskets and see just how easy this really is. Ready in 5 minutes! Can't beat that.

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Nothing says Summer like those awesome drinks by the pool. We've taken this idea and turned the new Pink Lemonade Cake mix from Pillsbury into a fun summer time treat.

Perfect for birthday parties, summer BBQ's and any time you want to make a big impression.

These cupcakes are always a hit! With the sweet taste you expect in a cupcake, and the tart lemonade flavor you've come to love during a hot day, this dessert rocks them both. If you are interested in seeing how we made these great summer dessert, come check us out at Planet Gift Baskets Gourmet Food Resources Page.

Simple Tips For A New Cook

Cooking can either be simply a means of feeding yourself or it can be a fantastic and fun creative process that will provide you with fabulous meals! Read on to discover some great ideas on how to make cooking an easier and more pleasurable experience for you before your next meal!

Selecting a good potato for baking is easy once you know the right tips! Be sure to select a potato like a russet or Idaho since they have a higher starch content and will give you a fluffier potato when baked. Choose smooth-skinned potatoes without wrinkles or soft spots. When you bring your potatoes home, don't put them in the refrigerator. Instead, place them in a bin in a cool, dark spot in your home. They taste best when used within 2-3 weeks after purchase.

 If you find yourself with part of a loaf of stale bread, don't throw it away or feed it to the birds. Instead, turn it into croutons for a soup or salad by tossing cubes of bread with oil and seasonings and baking them until crispy. You can also turn stale bread into breadcrumbs for many recipes.

 Try reducing the amount of dairy products you eat if you want to make your diet healthier. Many people may be lactose intolerant without realizing it, which means they won't be able to properly digest dairy products. Lots of great alternatives to dairy products, like soy milk and almond milk, are now widely available.

 A good tip to do when it comes cooking and preparing food is to prepare all the necessary ingredients that you need at night, that way when morning comes you are not stressing about them. This will help you concentrate at the task at hand which is preparing food in the best way possible. We all need to eat so we might as well make the process of preparing food something we love.

 Hopefully you have found some fresh ideas in this article on improving your life in the kitchen! It can be a great way to enjoy a major part of our lives so take what you have learned here and apply it to your next meal and bon appetit!

Easy Summer Chicken Recipe

Yum! Summer is just around the corner and that means picnics at the lake, family BBQ's and fresh juicy fruits.

Last summer I was introduced to a new family favorite recipe. We might have even made this once a week all summer. Not only did it taste amazing and have a quick and easy prep time, the compliments I received each and every time we made this dish made me want to make it for every occasion. Picnics, birthdays, bbq's, church potlucks, simple finger foods only parties, you name it I made it.

It's a simple recipe with ingredients that won't break the bank. Corn tortillas, chicken, cilantro and of course topped with a fresh kiwi and pineapple salsa that everyone will enjoy. Sounds good doesn't it?
Looks good too!

If you want to give this simple fun and OH SO YUMMY recipe a quick try head over to Planet Gift Baskets where there are some step by step instructions. for this entire recipe. See you there!

The Benefits of Juicing

Nutrition experts have long spoken of the benefits that juicing can have on your diet. Drinking freshly made fruit and vegetable juices are beneficial to the cardiovascular system, as well as providing a great boost in energy. By using the advice in this article, you will be able to use juicing as an added health benefit.

Drinking juices rich in fiber can ward off constipation. The juice of vegetables and fruits will also help cleanse your digestive system. It's hard to feel your best if you battle chronic constipation, which is just one more reason why juicing is amazing.

Do not delay in serving your juice, after it has been prepared. It has a much better taste the quicker it is served after making it.

When it comes to juicing, one thing that you want to keep in mind is the fact that despite the time and money that you are losing by making your own juice, you will find that it most likely tastes better than store bought juice. This is important to give you a good reason to keep on juicing and influence others to do the same.

If you have specific nutritional requirements, it is in your best interest to explore different varieties of fruit that you may not ordinarily eat. This will provide your body with nutrients that you might have been missing out on otherwise. You can cover up flavors that you may not really like with apple or lemon juices.

Let color guide you. As well as giving brilliant colors, the many varied vegetables, as well as fruits, are stocked with tons of vitamins and nutrients. Using a wide variety of colors will give you a full range of nutrients and many exciting tastes.

Juicing your fruits and vegetables will provide your body with enzymes that make digestion easier, meaning you're far less likely to face indigestion. If you get heartburn, or have stomach upset when you eat certain vegetables like broccoli, try juicing and you may find you no longer have any issues!

If you're juicing for reasons related to your health, try using dark green vegetables as the main ingredient for your juice. Try blending around 50-75% dark leafy greens like mustard greens or chard with something a little brighter in flavor. Fill the rest with your choice of fruits to give it a great taste.

You most likely know that juicing any fruits and veggies can help your health. Keep the tips you just read handy, and make it easy for you to explore the world of juicing. With this knowledge, you can discover how great this healthy way to prepare your juices really is. There's no better time than now to start juicing.