RECIPE: Basic vinaigrette for the perfect summer salad

Difficulty level: Easy

1/4 cup white-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Pinch of sugar (or honey, brown sugar, agave...)

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Optional: minced garlic, shallot or fresh herbs. Substitute different vinegars or lemon juice. Add Parmesan or blue cheeses.

Combine ingredients and shake in a jar!

RECIPE: Radish, Cherry Tomato, Strawberry & Herb Salad

Difficulty Level: Beginner
Time: 10 min.
Servings: 2-3 as side dish

Ingredients:

1 - 1 1/2 c. sliced radishes

1 c. cherry tomatoes (other small varieties such as sungold tomatoes work nicely, too)
1 c. very ripe, quartered strawberries
1 - 1 1/2 c. loosely packed herb leaves (I used equal parts basil and mint, but other herb combos such as lemon balm, dill, etc. can work)
4 Tbs. organic plain yogurt (I used low-fat Stonyfield plain yogurt)
2 Tbs. pure maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Mix all of the salad ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt and maple syrup, and pour over the salad.
3. Mix well and serve immediately.

RECIPE: Kitchen Tips - How to Keep Your Herbs Happy

Treat fresh herbs just like fresh flowers.

Trim the stems at a 45-degree angle, and place in a glass with two inches of water. Refrigerate for up to two weeks (cover the leaves with an unsealed plastic bag to minimize odor absorption), replacing the water if it gets cloudy.

Dry hardy-leaf herbs like thyme, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves.

Working with one herb variety at a time, wash thoroughly, blot dry, and spread the leaves in a single layer on a paper towel. Microwave in 30-second intervals, turning leaves over for even drying, until crisp and brittle. Microwave times will vary, but the whole process should take no more than two to three minutes total.

Freeze soft-leaf herbs like dill, mint, parsley, basil, and chives.

Place whole sprigs, chopped leaves, or whole leaves in a tightly sealed plastic bag for up to six months. When cooking, defrosting is unnecessary--just break off leaves and add them to the skillet.

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Here is Ann's own tip for the basil: "I like making pesto out of the basil, but if I don’t have time to make it right away, to keep the basil from going bad I pluck the leaves and wash them, then process them in the food processor with olive oil. I put the processed basil in a small deli container, smooth the top and cover with olive oil. This can be refrigerated until I’m ready to make pesto, and then just tossed back in the food processor with the other ingredients."

RECIPE: Steamed Collards with Lemon Balm Cream

Adapted from Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables

1 lb. collard greens (stems removed, slice crosswise into ½ inch strips)

¼ c. butter

2 Tbsp. flour

1 c. half & half or heavy cream (or vegan equivalent)

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh lemon balm

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Place chopped collards into a steamer basket over 1-1/2 inches boiling water, cover, and steam just until tender (about 20 minutes). Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet on medium-low heat. Sprinkle in flour and stir to form a thick paste. Stir in ¼ c. of the cream and gradually add the rest, stirring so it changes to a thin, runny sauce. Stir in lemon balm and add salt & pepper to taste. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until thick again. Remove from heat. Pour sauce over the collards; toss to coat well.

RECIPE: Roasted Lemon Balm Chicken

Ingredients:
Handful of fresh lemon balm leaves, stems removed
1/4 cup or so of fresh sage leaves
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 large roasting chicken
Olive oil

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 400°. Trim herb leaves from stems; wash and pat dry. Set sprigs aside. Chop two-thirds of the leaves, and combine with the butter, salt, pepper, and garlic. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Loosen the skin in several places and insert the herb butter underneath. Rub chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Insert the remaining herb sprigs into the cavity of the chicken. Place breast-side-down in a roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, then turn chicken over. Bake about 20 minutes longer, or until the juices run clear and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 180 degrees F.