Cook The Garden Ginain Grayes

In this episode, Ginain dives into the often-overlooked world of strawberry tops, revealing their hidden potential and versatility. From a refreshing cup of herbal tea to eco-friendly crafts and natural health remedies, we explore the myriad ways these vibrant greens can enrich our lives, contribute to our wellness, and champion sustainability. Some of these uses might even surprise you!
Resources and mentions in this episode:
Read the full blog post: Turning Tops into Treasures: Unique Uses for Strawberry Tops (cookprayslay.com) Smoothie Guide & Recipes: Seasonal recipes and gardening tips for families (myflodesk.com) Making Homemade Salad Dressings: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-homemade-salad-dressings/id1642443203?i=1000607316591 Scrappy Kitchen: Turn Kitchen Scraps into Cozy Simmer Pots (cookprayslay.com) Cook The Gardent Links & Contact Info: Join our NEW Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/COOKTHEGARDEN
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topic Requests: info@cookprayslay.com

 In this episode, host Ginain is thrilled to have Dalia Colón, an acclaimed food journalist and host of The Zest Podcast, as her guest. Join us as we dig into Dalia's journey into gardening, the intersection of food and community in Florida, and the launch of her exciting new cookbook.
Highlights: Dalia shares what she's growing in her garden: Dalia shares her foray into gardening with raised beds on wheels, growing herbs and vegetables like cilantro, basil, green onions, romaine, and purple cauliflower, and her aspirations with a baby mango tree and a banana plant.
A Feast of Flavors: The conversation blooms into a discussion about Dalia's involvement with The Zest Podcast, celebrating Florida's rich food culture through stories of citrus, seafood, Spanish flavors, and Southern charm.
Cookbook Chronicles: Dalia unveils her new vegetarian cookbook, packed with over 120 plant-based recipes, reflecting her decade-long journey as a vegetarian. She emphasizes the cookbook's approachability for everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences.
Food for Thought: Engaging tales from Florida's food history, including the challenges facing the citrus industry and the success of the strawberry industry in Plant City, spice up the conversation.
Recipe SHARE: Ruby Red Roasted Beet Hummus: A vibrant recipe from Dalia's cookbook is shared, showcasing the versatility and beauty of vegetables. This easy-to-make, visually stunning dish is perfect for any gathering. Ruby Red Beet Hummus
Makes about 2 cups
1 large beet, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 large lemon
2 tablespoons tahini
½ teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment
paper. Spread the beets on the prepared baking sheet. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil
to coat. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender. Let cool. In a food processor or strong blender, combine the chickpeas, garlic, remaining
¼ cup olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, and salt and pulse. Adjust lemon juice, olive
oil, and salt and continue to blend until hummus reaches your desired flavor and
thickness.
— Recipe from The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook by Dalia Colón (University Press of
Florida, 2024) Resources and Links: The Zest Podcast Purchase Dalia Colón's Vegetarian Cookbook: The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook: Colón, Dalia: 9780813069906: Amazon.com: Books Connect with Dalia on Social Media: Dalia Colon (@daliacolon) • Instagram photos and videos Cook The Gardent Links & Contact Info: Join our NEW Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/COOKTHEGARDEN
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topic Requests: info@cookprayslay.com

In this inspiring episode, Ginain Grayes welcomes Monica Petrella, a passionate advocate for local food systems and Food System Program Coordinator for Homegrown Hillsborough, an initiative aimed at strengthening local food systems. They dive into the importance of community gardening, the benefits of homegrown produce, and how individuals can contribute to a sustainable food system.
Key Topics Discussed Monica's Urban Gardening Journey: Transitioning from believing she couldn't garden due to space limitations to thriving in balcony gardening with the help of EarthBox systems. Benefits of Urban Gardening: Monica highlights the sustainability, accessibility, and health benefits of growing one's own food, even in limited spaces. Introduction to Homegrown Hillsborough: Monica discusses the role and mission of Homegrown Hillsborough, an initiative aimed at strengthening local food systems and encouraging community gardening efforts. Food Insecurity in Hillsborough County: The discussion delves into the issue of food insecurity, its impact on communities, and how local efforts can make a significant difference. Getting Involved with Local Food Systems: Monica offers insights on how individuals can support and engage with their local food systems, emphasizing the importance of community participation and education. Recipe Share: Monica shares a simple yet delicious recipe for cherry tomato bruschetta, showcasing how to use homegrown produce to create healthy, flavorful meals. Resources and Links Homegrown Hillsborough: Learn more about their initiatives and how you can get involved in supporting your local food system. Homegrown Hillsborough - Hillsborough County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (ufl.edu) Take the Residential Food System Survey UF/IFAS Extension: Discover classes, workshops, and resources offered by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension service. UF/IFAS Extension Website EarthBox website: Planting Boxes | Container Gardening | EarthBox Recipe for Cherry Tomato Bruschetta: Dive into Monica's easy recipe, perfect for making use of your garden's bounty. Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
8 roma tomatoes, diced
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Gather all ingredients Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush bread slices on both sides lightly with 1 tbsp oil and place on large baking sheet. Toast bread until golden, 5 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Toss together tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic in a bowl. Mix in balsamic vinegar, 2 tsp olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Spoon tomato mixture onto toasted bread slices. Serve immediately and enjoy! Links & Contact Info: Join our NEW Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/COOKTHEGARDEN
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topic Requests: info@cookprayslay.com

Happy New Year, Garden Foodies! In this episode, Ginain shares her holiday experience and emphasizes the importance of planning for the year, especially when it comes to kitchen and garden adventures. From trying new recipes to adopting sustainable practices, this episode is all about setting and achieving your kitchen garden goals for 2024.
Expanding Growing Space Ginain revisits her plan to expand her garden space Trying New Plants Implementing Sustainable Practices Water conservation strategies, including using a rain barrel. Pros and cons of rainwater collection. Continued focus on sustainable kitchen practices and reducing waste. Educating and Involving Others Involvement in Homegrown Hillsborough, a community initiative. Future plans for local food system education and engagement. Special Segment: Annual Smoothie Challenge Announcement of the annual Smoothie Challenge with new detoxifying recipes. Availability of a free guide with recipes and tips on  CookPraySlay
Or you can sign up here  Reminder to consult healthcare providers before starting new diet changes.   Share your kitchen garden goals for the new year with Ginain! Look forward to bonus episodes and the new season of Cook The Garden. Encourage sharing the podcast with friends and family. Links and Resources Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookthegardengroup/
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topics Requests: info@cookprayslay.com

In this episode, we sit down with Tulani Thomas, a passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental care, to discuss the impact of our everyday choices in the kitchen on the planet. We explore practical ways to use kitchen scraps and dive into the importance of sustainability in our daily lives.
Key Topics Discussed: The Importance of Sustainability: Understanding its impact on our lives and the planet. Creative Uses of Kitchen Scraps: Practical tips for reducing waste. Personal Sustainability Journeys: Tulani shares her experiences and motivations. Tips for Starting Your Sustainability Journey: Simple steps everyone can take. Tulani’s Collard Greens Egg Roll Recipe: So delicious:[ Air Fryer Egg Roll Recipe with Collard Greens
Connect with Tulani Thomas: Twitter: @TuTusGreenWorld
 
Instagram: @tutusgreenworld
 
LinkedIn:Tulani Thomas 
www.tutusgreenworld.com Episode Highlights: Quote from Tulani: "Sustainability is not just a concept; it's a lifestyle that we can all embrace in small, meaningful ways." Questions about composting basics, containers and eco-friendly containers? Visit www.tutusgreenworld.com Cook The Garden Resources:
Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookthegardengroup/
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topics Requests: info@cookprayslay.com

Show Notes: Plant-Based Holiday Feast with Amy Katz
Today we’re talking to vegan food blogger, Amy Katz - a returning guest who's no stranger to our podcast! Listen to hat episode here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incorporating-more-plant-based-meals-into-your-diet/id1642443203?i=1000609459779
Gardening Chit-Chat: Amy shares her recent gardening updates, focusing on the growth of citrus, particularly her kumquat tree. Ginain discusses her kumquat tree and plans to for her harvest.
Adapting Traditional Dishes: Amy and Ginain discuss the possibility of adapting traditional holiday dishes to suit different dietary preferences.
Alternative Holiday Centerpieces: Amy mentions the availability of various plant-based turkey alternatives in the market but advises that creating a variety of side dishes is a great way to cater to different tastes without the need for a meat substitute.
Herbs and Seasonings: They highlight the significance of using fresh or dried herbs and seasonings in plant-based recipes, adding flavor to dishes. Sumac is recommended as a flavorful seasoning, particularly in roasted vegetables, to achieve a delightful citrusy note.
Amy’s Scrappy Kitchen Tip: Amy's utilizes kitchen scraps by incorporating them into soups, making creative and waste-reducing dishes.
Show Links:
Amy’s Recipe:
Sauteed Green Beans with Mushrooms - Veggies Save The Day
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Amy's website, Veggies Save The Day: 
Vegan Recipes Inspired by a Mediterranean Diet
 
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Join our Facebook Group: 
Cook The Garden - Recipes & Garden Tips | Facebook
 
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cookthegarden
Visit the Food Blog: www.cookprayslay.com
Email with Feedback and Topics Requests: info@cookprayslay.com