Cook The Garden

Cook The Garden Podcast is your weekly audio source for delicious & easy garden fresh recipes & gardening tips. Enjoy weekly short audio bites featuring a key seasonal ingredient, a recipe and gardening tip. Expect a couple of bonus episodes featuring special guests.

Never Run Out of Fresh Herbs Again: Learn the Freezing Method 09/10/2024

Homesteading 101: Everything You Need to Know with Mona Weathers 08/06/2024

Bonus: Pickling and Canning 101 with John Barbie 07/30/2024

BONUS: Growing Inclusive Communities with Tonya Whitlock 07/09/2024

BONUS: Growing Inclusive Communities with Tonya Whitlock In this special bonus episode of Cook The Garden, host Ginain sits down with Tonya Whitlock, founder of The Hive Inclusive Community. This episode is a little different from the usual gardening and cooking topics, as it shines a spotlight on the inspiring work of The Hive, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive housing and communities for adults with disabilities. Tonya shares her personal journey and the incredible initiatives of The Hive, from inclusive housing developments to various empowering programs and events. Episode Highlights: Introduction to The Hive Inclusive Community: Tonya Whitlock explains the mission of The Hive and her personal inspiration from her son, who has cerebral palsy. Programs and Services: Detailed overview of The Hive's programs, including support groups, instructor-led classes (gardening, cooking, art), and social events like bowling, karaoke, and movie nights. Community Engagement: The importance of community support and the roles volunteers and local businesses play in The Hive’s success. Personal Stories: Tonya shares touching stories of members finding their voice and place in the community through The Hive’s initiatives. Upcoming Events: Exciting details about The Hive’s annual fashion show, “The Beauty of Inclusion,” and the October Community Table event. Key Takeaways: The Hive is actively building inclusive communities and housing for adults with disabilities. The organization offers diverse programs to enhance social interaction, independence, and personal growth for its members. Community involvement and support are crucial for the success and expansion of The Hive’s mission. The upcoming fashion show and community table event are excellent opportunities for the public to engage and support The Hive. Links and Resources: Upcoming Events: Fashion Show: Community Table Event: Visit their website for more details coming soon Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities Donate Contact Tonya Whitlock: Featured Recipe: Autumn Wild Rice Soup & Caesar Salad: This delicious recipe was made during a cooking class with The Hive community members. Easy One-Pot Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup Ingredients 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 yellow onion, finely chopped ¾ cup chopped carrots 1 cup baby spinach or kale ½ cup chopped celery 8 oz. baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced 4 garlic cloves, minced 3/4 cup dry wild rice blend 1 Tbsp. poultry seasoning (alternatives: cajun seasoning for more kick) Salt & black pepper 4 cups (1 quart) lower sodium chicken broth (or vegetable soup) 1-2 cups water 3/4 cup coconut milk Instructions: Heat oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add mushrooms and garlic, and stir to combine. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring only occasionally, until the mushrooms are soft and slightly golden. Add rice and stir to coat. Let the rice cook for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. Stir in poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add broth and 1-2 cups of water; stir well. Bring the mixture to a low boil, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for approx 45 mins, or until the rice is tender. Remove the lid and stir in the coconut milk. Add salt and pepper. Remove from heat and ladle into bowls. /episode/index/show/91f92c4d-a3ee-4ec0-876f-aea3d41945cb/id/32033482

10 Ways to Turn Strawberry Tops into Treasures 04/02/2024

Exploring Florida Food Traditions with Dalia Colon 03/19/2024

Exploring Florida Food Traditions with Dalia Colon 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: Purchase Dalia Colón's Vegetarian Cookbook: Connect with Dalia on Social Media: Cook The Gardent Links & Contact Info: Join our NEW Facebook Page: Connect on Instagram: Visit the Food Blog: Email with Feedback and Topic Requests: /episode/index/show/91f92c4d-a3ee-4ec0-876f-aea3d41945cb/id/30409708

Cultivating a Strong Food System with Monica Petrella 02/20/2024

Cultivating a Strong Food System with Monica Petrella 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. Take the 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: 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: Connect on Instagram: Visit the Food Blog: Email with Feedback and Topic Requests: /episode/index/show/91f92c4d-a3ee-4ec0-876f-aea3d41945cb/id/29994003