Ask Arlene How to Sprout Broccoli, Sprouting - Di Cicco seeds©

Ask Arlene How to Sprout Broccoli, Sprouting - Di Cicco seeds©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Add 2 tablespoons of broccoli sprouting seeds  to a wide mouthed quart jar.

Cover with a few inches of filtered water and cap with the sprouting lid.

Store in a warm, dark place overnight.

I use my pantry for this.

The next morning, drain the liquid off and rinse with fresh water. Be sure to drain all the water off.

Repeat this 3-4 times a day. Continue to store your seeds in a warm, dark place. After a few days, the seeds will start to break open and grow. The biology major in me is absolutely enamored with this process!

Eventually, the sprouts will be an inch or so long and have yellow leaves. Now you can move the sprouts out into the sunlight.

Continue to rinse them 3-4 times a day until the leaves are dark green. Now they are ready to eat!

This whole process will take about a week. Patience, Patience, Patience!

Once they are ready, replace the sprouting lid with a standard Mason jar lid and store in

your refrigerator.

Serve on top of salads, stirred into soups, or however strikes your fancy.

DID YOU KNOW?  Broccoli sprouts   are 10x – 100 x higher in some cancer fighting compounds than the actual mature vegetable!

May the Creative Force be with you!

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery LLC

Ask Arlene How to Grow Anise from Seed and Why You Should Grow It©

How to Grow Anise from Seed and Why You Should Grow It©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Anise   (Pimpinella anisum) is an annual that can grow up to 2 feet tall. This herb, which can be used for medicinal and culinary purposes, with its clusters of white flowers, can add ornamental value to a garden as well. Anise seeds can be used to flavor soups, cakes, candies and curries. Native to Egypt and the Mediterranean region, anise can be grown in California and areas of the United States within USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Growing anise from seed is best done in permanent containers or directly in the garden, because the herb doesn't transplant well.

1. Select a pot with drainage holes and fill it with moist, sterile potting mix, up to about 3/4 inch from the top. Press down on the soil with your hand to level the surface.

2. Sprinkle six to eight anise seeds over the soil surface, at an equal distance from each other. Cover the seeds with a 1/4-inch layer of soil. Lightly tamp the soil with your hand to firm it over the anise seeds.

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3. Water the soil with a spray bottle to avoid disturbing the shallowly planted seeds. Stretch plastic wrap over the pot to help the soil retain moisture. Cover the plastic wrap with sheets of newspaper to maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist -- not soggy -- during the germination period.

4. Position the pot in a warm room. Aim for a temperature of about 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect the seeds to germinate within two weeks.

5. Remove the plastic wrap and newspaper as soon as the seeds germinate. Expose the seedlings to sunlight and a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Remove weak, small seedlings as soon as they're large enough to handle. Keep no more than one or two strong seedlings in the pot, and water them regularly to keep the soil damp as they grow. You can move the pots outside into a sunny location when all danger of frost has passed.

Things You Will Need

Potting mix

Pot

Spray bottle

Plastic wrap

Newspaper

Tip

Sow seeds outdoors in a sunny location, after the last frost date in your area. Plant them in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.3 and 7.3. Sow the seeds in rows that are 2 feet apart, at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Thin them to 8 inches apart.

Harvest anise seeds about one month after the plant flowers. Harvest the leaves as needed, while the plant matures.

Anise can be used as a tea or syrup to aid in the relief from cough and congestion. Try a simple tea made from crushed seeds after a large meal - you will be surprised at how effective it can be.

Known Medicinal Properties:  Anise has a long history of medicinal use. It is still used all over the world as a digestive-aid and anti-flatulence agent. Anise has also been used for centuries relieve coughs and colds. In fact, scientists have even proven that the essential oils in the Anise seeds DO have expectorant properties.

Anise is a digestive-aid, anti-flatulence agent and fights coughs and colds. 

May the Creative Force be with you!

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery LLC

https://homefarmherbery.com/

Remember 100% of our profits go to St Jude's Research Hospital.

Ask Arlene about Fennel Seed Cookies©

Ask Arlene about Fennel Seed Cookies©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Fennel Seed cookies  

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed  

2 tablespoons boiling water

3/4 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, soak fennel seed    in boiling water; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Drain fennel seed.

Combine the flour, baking soda and fennel seed; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Roll into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar.

Cool on wire racks. Yield: 3 dozen.

May the Creative Force be with you!

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery

Ask Arlene if You Knew This? ©

Ask Arlene if You Knew This? ©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Did you know that I have drunk a bottle of champagne a day, every day since January 1, 1965?    Here are the reasons why!

Did you know that Champagne is sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of northeastern France? Technically, if the bottle is not from that region, it’s sparkling wine and not champagne. 

Did You Know champagne has a health benefit similar to red wine. There are95 calories in a glass of champagne (roughly 4 ounces)?

Did you know there are approximately 570 calories in an entire bottle of champagne (25 ounces)?

Did you know alcohol can make it harder to lose weight, especially if you don't use moderation in your drinking?

Did you know Brut is Champagne speak for "dry" and signifies a lower sugar content, resulting in a glass of bubbly that only contains about 65 calories?

Did you know the drier the Champagne, the better it tastes with salty and savory celebratory foods like low-calorie oysters and caviar?

Did you know serving sizes for champagne are generally smaller than other alcoholic beverages too, keeping the calorie count even lower?

Did you know sparkling wine may have some additional health benefits? One study found that the polyphenols found in red wine can also be found in champagne. These antioxidants reduce the damage free radicals can do to the body, possibly helping lower blood pressure and prevent heart problems.

Did you know that the bubbles may make people drink slower or feel fuller?

Did you know that the types of sparkling come in a range of sweetness and sugar content? Brut Natural and Extra Brut are the least sweet, followed by Brut, Extra Dry (or Extra Sec), Sec, Demi-Sec, and Doux (which has the most sugar).

Did you know that for something a little less sweet but still tasty, one should go with any of the brut varieties?

Did you know that one should use a flute glass? These 4- to 6-ounce glasses are automatic portion controllers, so make use of it and fill it up just once.

Did you know that Champagne is to be served cold at about 43 to 48°F (7°C)? In this range the smell and taste of the wine can be fully appreciated. This temperature can be achieved by placing the unopened bottle in an ice bucket with one-half ice and one-half water for 20 to 30 minutes. Or you may refrigerate it for 3 to 4 hours. Or if you are like me have a wine refrigerator.

Did you know that to safely open the sparkling wine bottle one should never use a corkscrew and n one should ever shake the bottle?

Did you know that one should make sure the bottle is chilled to avoid excess pressure build up? With a towel over the top of the bottle, tilt at 45 degrees, hold the cork firmly, and twist the bottle until you hear a faint pop.

Did you know that the downside to drinking champagne is its high acidity, which can cause teeth problems?

Did you know that a bottle of wine whether it be still or sparkling and if it has a cork in it should be stored on its side? You want the liquid inside to stay in contact with the cork so that it doesn't dry out, become crumbly, and encourage premature aging.

Did you know that Non-Vintage Champagnes will expire a little more quickly after around 3-4 years after purchase and are aged for 2 to 3 years before that before they are available for sale?

Did you know that a Vintage Champagne is simply one that was made from the grapes of only one year’s harvest, while a Non-Vintage Champagne is one that was made from the grapes of numerous years? The former is generally higher quality and will also be more expensive than the latter.

Did you know that I simply love the taste of it and I celebrate my life every day some where between 6 and 6:30 p.m. and that it take me about 6 to 7 hours to consume one bottle?

May the Creative Force be with you,

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery

Ask Arlene about Cooking Brussels Sprouts the Correct Way Helps Fight Cancer@

Cooking Brussels Sprouts the Correct Way Helps Fight Cancer@

By Arlene Wright-Correll

At Home Farm Herbery we grow Brussels Sprout Long Island Catskill Heirloom Seeds and this popular Brussels Sprout variety produces miniature cabbage-like heads which are extremely tasty and nutritious and you need to grow them in your garden.  

However, Did you know that Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties? Although boiling reduces the level of the anti-cancer compounds, steaming, microwaving, and stirring we steam them al Dante or sauté them quickly.

It is amazing that just one little thing can change an item’s consistency so quickly.  When we sauté them we cut them in halves or quarters to allow them to cook quickly.

Brussels sprouts are rich in many valuable nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K. They are a very good source of numerous nutrients including folate, manganese, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, choline, copper, vitamin B1, potassium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids.

Choline is not often referred to for its benefits yet; the primary criterion used to estimate the Adequate Intake (AI) for choline is the prevention of liver damage as assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The AI for adults is 550 mg/day of choline for men and 425 mg/day for women.

So do yourself a big health favor and put Brussels Sprouts into your diet and cook them correctly.

May the Creative force be with you!

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery LLC

You just won July’s Art Contest!

You just won July’s Art Contest!

Junie from Clarksburg MD

Your prize is on its way.

Congratulations from

Home Farm Herbery LLC