I must be on a copy cat recipe kit recently because this is my second one in just a matter of weeks. I think it has to do with some confidence that I am gaining in the kitchen recently. I love finding new recipes that I love at restaurants and trying to recreate them. This particular recipe hails from Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Harambe Market in the Africa section of this park has started serving a black eyed pea and corn salad that is just to die for. It hits all the right notes. Here is my take and my version that you can now enjoy from the comfort of your home. 

Ingredients: 

2 cans black eyed peas, rinsed

1 ear corn, cooked 

1/4 cup roma tomato, diced

1/4 cup celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons safflower oil

1/2 tsp sugar 

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

fresh lemon zest

Directions: mix all ingredients together, chill then serve. 

This can be stored for several days and makes a wonderful make ahead side dish. This salad is refreshing and good for you. It's got a great depth of flavor and a wonderful crunch. 

Enjoy!

Sometimes your body craves a dish that is going to stick to your ribs a little bit. I love myself a hearty stew, and this one is free of potatoes, cream, and all the other bad stuff that usually accompanies stew. The fun thing about lamb osso bucco is that it is obviously made with lamb, so the flavors are very unique from what you would expect. This is an Italian dish and is delicious when served over polenta. 

Ingredients: 
2 pounds lamb shank, cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 celery stalks, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 cup white wine
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
5 sprigs fresh thyme 
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and pepper

Directions: 
Heat oil in large la creuset type pan over high heat. Pat your lamb pieces dry, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge pieces in flour and add to pan. Sear on all sides until crispy and golden brown (under 10 minutes). Remove meat from pat. Cook your veggies with salt for 2-3 minutes, then add tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Deglaze pan with wine, add your broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Add your lamb back into the pan, cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Garnish with lemon zest, and parsley. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve over polenta if desired. 

Bon Apetite! 

The first day of summer is almost officially here. 

We love summer for so many reasons. 

The barbecues, lazy days with friends, swimming, fireworks, etc. 

But the best thing about summer for us? 

That means our lavender is finally in bloom. 

We can't wait. 

Have a wonderful weekend! Check back here Monday for some amazing new recipe ideas featuring these beautiful purple buds. 

Before I used essential oils, I really didn't know much about them. I thought they were for hippies who didn't believe in medicine. But essential oils have so many amazing uses. Once you try some, you will be hooked for life. 

They are a great sleep aid, especially lavender essential oil. For my babies, just put one drop of lavender essential oils on their feet before bed and the scent soothes them right to sleep. This also works with grown ups!

Lavender oil also works great on bug bites and bee stings. Just one drop can reduce swelling and stop itching. Living on a farm, this has been a life saver!

I've also noticed when I am wearing lavender essential oils, its a natural bug deterrent. The mosquitoes stay far away from me, even when I'm at the lake! 

Lavender oil also works great on minor burns to help sooth the pain. It can even help stop the bleeding with minor cuts as well. Working on a farm, these uses come in handy all of the time! 

A drop of lavender oil behind your ears can help fade nausea or motion sickness. We have pregnant moms who visit us at the farmers markets all the time telling us our lavender essential oil is their life saver. 

It helps with dry or chapped skin, cold sores, dandruff, hay fever. I could go on and on about all the amazing uses, but I really recommend you try it for yourself. You'll be amazed at what you've been missing. 

Find some for yourself today HERE. https://www.etsy.com/shop/LavenderAppleFarm