Prickly pear fruit can appear intimidating, but it is sweet, delicious, and full of nutrients. This smoothie is made with ripe mango and well-hidden parsley, offering a tasty, colorful and healthful snack your little one will love. It can also be frozen into popsicle molds. Yield: 24 ounces, 6 (4-ounce) smoothies Cook time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 5 fresh prickly pear …
The Other Tuna: Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit
As the summer heat slowly begins to die down and the first autumn breezes roll around, prickly pear cactus fruit, known as tuna in Mexico, is coming out bright and ripe. It’s a magical time. Prickly pear cactus is a characteristic plant of Texas. Wide-faced, inverted teardrop paddles grow in close clusters, some studded with sharp needles, others bred to …
Chickweed: The Tiny Star
This spring, I spent some time getting to know a common North American “volunteer” plant that pops up in many garden beds and lawns and is nearly always plucked up and discarded as a pesky “weed.” While chickweed, or Stellaria media, can certainly stretch out where you don’t want her to, I’ve learned that keeping her around can have some …
Pineapple Ginger Lime Popsicles with Serrano
Sweet and spicy is one of my very favorite flavor combinations. In this sinus-clearing, breath-easy popsicle, the energizing powers of ginger and lime combine with sweet, tropical pineapple, spicy, floral serrano peppers and raw Mexican piloncillo. The result is a lovely layer of flavors that tastes great and really gets you going. Yield: 28 ounces; 7 (4-ounce) popsicles or 28 …
Backyard Salad
I made a fantastic salad this week. The greens were just incredible. I didn’t find them at the farmer’s market, or in the organic section of the health food store, or at the high end grocery. I yanked ‘em right out of my own backyard. I’m amazed how much more aware I’ve become of the plants growing around me since …
Grow Your Own Herbs
I started taking a course on herbal medicine and local plants at the Wildflower School recently, and since that time have upped my commitment to cultivating and understanding our favorite culinary herbs, plus many more that never get the kitchen spotlight. Having my own little potted herb garden has truly made a huge impact on my life. Growing your own …