Preserving a Peck of (Jalapeño) Peppers: 5 ways

We were blessed with a bumper crop of hot garden peppers this season, particularly jalapeños. Yesterday, we picked several pounds of peppers off a single plant! So what do you do with so many jalapeños coming at you all at once?

Topo Chico Inspired Mineral Water for Home Carbonators

There are plenty of other mineral waters out there, but for my money, there are none quite like Topo Chico. For those of us living outside of their distribution area, (or those of you who just love a good DIY project) you can mix your own Topo Chico-inspired mineral blend that will make hundreds of bottles… for about $25 in ingredients.

Prepared Horseradish with Dandelion Vinegar

If you ran out and got yourself a big ol’ pile of horseradish roots after reading last week’s post, now what? What do you do with them?

Make some prepared horseradish, of course!

Chili Crisp Vinaigrette

Love Fly By Jing Chili Crisp Vinaigrette but put off by the canola oil? Try this easy-to-make copycat recipe that captures the complex, savory umami, tangy acidity and spicy heat of the original. This stuff is good on ALL the things.

Spicy Szechuan Chili Crisp

Calling all spicy food lovers! I adore spicy foods. There’s something about it that makes me feel vital and alive. Besides being positively addicting, capsaicin — the constituent in chili peppers that makes them spicy — confers a number of health benefits.

Allow me to introduce you to your new culinary best friend: Spicy Chili Crisp.

Quick Fermented Garlicky Beets

In addition to the standard perks of transforming a vegetable into a probiotic food rich in beneficial microbes, fermenting beets also reduces oxalates, which improves the bioavailability of minerals. It also preserves the beet’s vitamins C and reduces its sugar content as the lactic acid bacteria consumes beet sugar during the fermentation process.

Fermenting stabilizes and preserves the precious betalains we talked about earlier. Studies suggest that lacto-fermentation can preserve betalain levels for up to a month with no degradation.

Wise Traditions & Homemade Sauerkraut

Diet plays a vital role in the composition of our gut’s microbiota terrain and, consequently, shapes the immune system. Consuming fermented foods such as sauerkraut naturally supports microbiome diversity, which not only helps to maintain proper digestive function and a healthy metabolism, it directly affects our health and mood.

Spicy Dill *Everything* Rub

There is a hidden gem of a restaurant called The Settlement not far from our home in the neighboring town of Priest River, Idaho. I’ve been all over the world, and I can honestly say they have the best dry rub chicken wings I’ve ever tried.

Mr. Redheaded Herbalist and I love their recipe so much that I took a stab at recreating the spice blend at home.

‘Putting By’ Fermented Garlic for the Winter

It’s that time of year again! Temperatures are finally starting to cool off a bit and leaves are getting their first red and gold tinges, signaling that summer is on its way out the door.

At my house, that also means it’s time to load up on our favorite culinary flavoring, medicinal herb and vampire repellant: fermented garlic.

Herbal Seafood Seasoning + Sourdough Crab Cakes w/Jalapeño Tartar Sauce

Who has two thumbs and loves crab cakes?? This recipe relies on another beloved Kitchen Helper that I always have on hand: Bay (Laurel) Seafood Seasoning. It’s one of those versatile spice blends that you’ll reach for again and again.