The fruits of our labor

We are finally getting some produce from the garden. We pick cherry tomatoes off the vine almost daily. We only pick one though, we just can't seem to wait to eat them. They are so very good. We will soon have a ton of them, but right now they are only turning red one at a time. Worth has gotten to eat his beloved tomato sandwich on VERY cheap white bread (those are his demands, it has to be cheap). Let me see if I can get this right, he said "the sandwich tasted like summer in juice form", or something like that. Basically it was good! Well I wanted to give back to my blog community this morning with some recipes that we have been loving on. I get so many wonderful recipes from you, so here are some from my kitchen.

If you are like us then you have so much basil in your garden that you don't know what to do with it all. Well here is a recipe for Chicken Holy Basil, although we don't use Holy Basil, just the kind that we have which is Genovese Basil. This recipe calls for 3 cups, so it is perfect. It also calls for Thai Chiles, but we use what we have a lot of in our garden, which right now is Jalapeno and Serreno Chiles. This is a Martha Stewart effort with a Grant household spin. Also you can make this recipe as hot as you like just adjust the peppers.

Chicken Holy Basil

10 garlic cloves, minced (people will love you!)

6 fresh Thai Chilies, thinly sliced crosswise (we mince)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Asian Fish Sauce (don't be afraid of this)

2 teaspoons soy sauce

4 1/2 teaspoons sugar

Freshly Ground Pepper

3 cups loosely packed fresh Holy Basil (or whatever you have) plus more for garnish

Sticky Rice for serving

1. Mash together garlic and chiles using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a large knife (we don't usually do this step, but just mince them and combine in oil). Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is just golden, about 20 seconds.

2. Add chicken, cook, stirring often, until chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Add basil; cook stirring constantly, 1 minute. Season with more pepper, if desired. Serve over rice, garnish with basil.

Here is another recipe we had last night for Sweet Potato Fries with Basil Salt and Garlic Mayonnaise . It is OUTSTANDING and another good way to use up that basil. We had those fries with Grilled Romesco-Style Pork. Seriously what is the point of eating out when this is all right here in your kitchen. Now on the pork I just got The Earth Bound Baby Greens and placed as much as I wanted on a platter and then drizzled the hot dressing over the greens. I also did not use roasted red peppers. I hope you guys cook this and if you do tell me how you liked it!

I simply cannot do a blog entry without posting pictures of my Sweet Girl. The world must know the beauty that is BellaRose (only being slightly serious here)! Sorry about the feminine products on the first pictures, us moms gotta do what we can sometimes to keep them entertained. These pictures pretty much sum up her favorite things to do, play in my makeup, give high fives (or ten), and play under the table.

Worth grows a garden

So Worth's garden needs a little face time on the ole blog.  He has been working so hard out there.  Going out every night to talk to his beloved plants, and make sure there are no weeds growing up the spindly stalks and vines.  He has 24 tomato plants.  He promises canning is in his future although we don't have a canner and I am not sure he knows how to do it, but you can't really every doubt the boy.  Every time he sets his mind to something he generally always accomplishes the goal.  I am pretty sure I will have beautiful mason jar pictures filled with tomatoes soon!  BellaRose just adores going out to help Worth in his garden.  She is such a helper and you should hear how she says "squash", it really would melt your heart.  She does a good job helping but has not quite figured out when the vegetables are ready to be pulled off the vine.  She sometimes pulls prematurely but I am pretty sure we will have enough to spare.  We also have loads and loads of peppers and basil.  Which make the best Chicken Holy Basil EVER! I know that the bottom left picture of BellaRose is not really in focus, but I love her focus so much I just had to share with you!  Please enjoy our garden and if you around please come on over and get some fresh produce!