Ms Sweet Basil

 Sweet Basil, is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum.

Types of Basil

There are many varieties of these plants.

Thai Basil grow up to 24 inches in height and are 2 feet wide.

Genovese Basil  principally used in Italian cuisine.

Holy Basil  People of Hindu religion use these leaves for worship.

Lemon Basil  with a citric aroma.

Cinnamon Basil  referred to as the Mexican Spice Basil.

African blue Basil strong camphor-like smell.

Medicinal Use using Basil ( Did You Knew???).

    It is used as an expectorant for the treatments of diseases like asthma, flu, cold and bronchitis.

    The leaves are also good for keeping diabetes under control.

    Leaf extract is used to reduce throat pain and high body-temperature.

    The extract is also used as an anti-venom for snake bites.

    It is used along with honey for the treatment of cataract.

    Holy Basil leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicines.

    The leaves  are used to prepare “Basil Tea” which helps to prevent diseases like Dengue and Malaria.

    The tea also treats several health disorders including constipation, diarrhea and indignation.

    The essential oil is used in the treatments of migraines, headaches and allergies.

    Massaging with this essential oil extraction reduces arthritis.

Growing Basil

The basil plants can be easily cultivated from seeds which take less than two weeks to get roots. like me you can easy buy small plants and grow it in the garden or indoors. I like growing them in kitchen windows.

               " Once the flowers bloom, the leaves of the plant turn bitter and lose their flavor."

The Basil plants need  leaves need picking once every 3-4 weeks to grow properly. you can eat them in a salad or make fresh basil bread with the picking of the leaves.

 Or Something simple and Easy

 3 cups fresh basil leaves

    1/2 cup olive oil

    2 cloves garlic, peeled

    1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

    1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread

    3  tomatoes, thinly sliced

    1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, sliced


Directions

    In a blender, puree the basil leaves, olive oil and garlic. Mix in the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Continue processing until all is blended well .

    Preheat the toaster oven. Slice Italian bread to you likeness in thickness. Spread a layer of pesto on each slice. Top with  tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
    Place topped bread slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. toast about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted

          Roasted Chicken Leg Quarter

 

6 Med sized chicken legs quarters clean and trim of fat
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoon garlic powder
3 tablespoon dry sweet basil

Dry leg quarter and place in baking dish. Sparkle black pepper first evenly over legs, next sparkle salt following the tails of black pepper.next sparkle the garlic powder all over and the basil will be next.( adding more sparkle garlic and basil on the backside chicken leg so you can get more flavor) .sparkle cayenne pepper. you can do the spice heavy if you like and coat the leg quarter to your liking. cover and refrigerate over night. flavor of the spices go though the chicken.Keep cover and place in and 350 oven for 1 1/2 hour pour juices in a bowl and pour over chicken and leave uncover bake for 30 mins.until golden brown.

How To Can Peaches

I love peaches! the fresh fruity favor and that juicy bite.love the fresh smell of them when you pass them in a store or on a tree. but I hate buying them because they go bad in a short while...So what I did??? I just start canning them and saving them for that peach cobbler or just eating them out of the jar, so now I can buy many as I want and get all that enjoyment in a jar and eat them for a peachy day when ever I want.

Wash them very well....

Blanch peaches in boiling hot water just long enough to peal the skin off easily. This stops the enzymes from degrading the flavor during storage

Quarter peaches and throw away the seed.

Pack each hot jar with quartered peaches, leaving a 1/2 inch of space at the top of the jar. Pack tightly.

Fill each jar with the remaining liquid from the blanching pot.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar on top of the liquid. The sugar will dissolve, spread throughout the jar, and seep into the peaches during processing.

Wipe off all spills and sugar from jar, especially the lid area. Place lids on jar and secure tightly.

Place jars in a canner, leaving 1-2 inches of water above the jars.

Calculate the canning time. Canning time varies according to the type of canner you have and the altitude of your location. Be sure to check your canner's instructions.

If you are using a boiling water canner, these guidelines should help. For 0-1000 feet above sea level, cook for 10 minutes. For 1001-3000 feet, cook for 15 minutes. For 3001-6000 feet, cook for 20 minutes. If you are above 6000 feet, cook for 25 minutes.

If you are using a dial gauge pressure canner or a weighted gauge pressure canner, you will need about 8 minutes. Clarify with the instruction manual of your canner

smoke turkey And Dry Butter Beans

2 or 3 smoked turkey tail
2 onions chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed 
3 stalk celery, chopped 
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 large Bag Dry Beans 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick Butter
 
place smoked turkey tail
 in a stockpot with enough water to 
cover; add 1 onions and garlic.Simmer 1 hour 
until smoked turkey tail
 is tender.
Soak dry beans about two hours pouring 
hot boiling water on them and let cool
down to room temp.remove the water 
from the beans and place in the smoked turkey tail
pot.
Adding two cups hot water and cook 1 hour on 
med heat,then adding celery,1 onion
,salt, pepper and butter

cook 30 minute on low until beans or tender

remove the ham hocks or chop up and serve

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cake:

3 cups flour........ Or Used A Yellow Cake mix Instant Cake Recipe

¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup (1 stick) real butter, melted
Topping:
(2 sticks) real butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon of Mable syrup

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. In an electric mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter. Pour half batter into a square greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan set a side. In a large bowl, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and pecans until well mix. pour half of this mixure on top half cake batter and pour the other cake batter on top in pan evenly over cake batter. the other mixture pour on top by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center. You want to make sure it’s done. I like most things underdone but cake is not one of them.
4. Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.