Hello and welcome to Beets ‘n Basil!

From homegrown recipes to gardening tips and fermenting experiments, this blog is all about embracing the joy of fresh food and a greener lifestyle. Whether you’re new to the world of gardening or just getting started with homemade foods, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let’s cultivate, create, and learn together as we celebrate the beauty of simple, homemade food.

Newest Recipes and Posts

Here, you’ll find my newest fermenting experiments, recipes rooted in fresh ingredients, diy household items, and tips for growing your own food.

  • Rolling Dolmas Tips

    Rolling Dolmas Tips

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    Making dolmas can be time consuming but once you get into a flow it’s not too bad. Here are a few tips for rolling dolmas. When rolling dolmas you need to know whether the filling shrinks or expands as you’ll want to adjust the tightness of your roll. This will help with flavor, texture, and…

  • Oatmeal Cream Pies (with Maple Cinnamon Filling)

    Oatmeal Cream Pies (with Maple Cinnamon Filling)

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    Chelsi
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    Remember Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies?? Well this is the adult version with a maple cinnamon twist! I absolutely LOVED these growing up. It was such a treat to get to buy a box from the store and unwrap them from their individual cellophane wrappers. The sweet fluffy center and chewy oatmeal cookies made it…

  • Homemade Strawberry Twists

    Homemade Strawberry Twists

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    Chelsi
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    These three ingredient strawberry twists are easy to make with a little dehydrator time and they are tasty! No red dye, no ingredients we can’t pronounce, just three ingredients blended to perfection. Yes these strawberry twists have beet juice in them to give them a brighter red color, but the sweetness of the dates combined…

  • Probiotic Lemonade

    Probiotic Lemonade

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    Chelsi
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    Do you have extra brine from your last batch of sauerkraut? One of the ways I like to use sauerkraut brine is to make a probiotic lemonade. It’s the first drink I have in the morning before breakfast. Along with lemon juice, I’ll add maple syrup as a sweetener. You can also add fresh mint…

  • Lamb, Date, and Warm Spice Dolmas

    Lamb, Date, and Warm Spice Dolmas

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    Chelsi
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    I brined 3 jars of grape leaves from our grapevines this year and although I love rice dolmas and rice and beef dolmas, I wanted to change it up and use different ingredients than I would normally use or have found in dolmas recipes. The first recipe I came up with was lamb based with…

  • Harvesting Coriander Seeds

    Harvesting Coriander Seeds

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    Chelsi
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    Cilantro or Coriander? Cilantro and Coriander often cause confusion, but they refer to different parts of the same plant, Coriandrum sativum. In the United States, “cilantro” typically refers to the fresh green leaves and stems, while “coriander” is the dried seeds from the plant. However, in many other parts of the world, “coriander” is used…

  • Zucchini Flour

    Zucchini Flour

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    Chelsi
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    Zucchini is a staple in our garden every year because the plants produce heavily. However, zucchini can get huge quickly, seemingly overnight. It’s sometimes a gardener’s joke – one zucchini plant will feed your family. Two will feed your neighborhood. Three or more? Better start a farm stand because you’re feeding the whole city! Every…

  • Beef Flanken Ribs

    Beef Flanken Ribs

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    Chelsi
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    These beef flanken ribs are one of my favorite meals to make. They are easy to prep, and after marinating for a day or so, they make for a quick weeknight dinner paired with a macaroni salad. What Are Flanken Ribs? Beef flanken ribs are a cut of beef short ribs from the rib section.…

  • Freeze Dried Dog Treat Turkey Sticks

    Freeze Dried Dog Treat Turkey Sticks

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    Chelsi
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    If you’re looking for a healthy, homemade treat for your pup, these freeze-dried turkey sticks are a great option! Made with simple, nutrient-packed ingredients, they’re easy to prepare, store well, and provide a crunchy, protein-rich snack your dog will love. Ingredients for Turkey Sticks: Instructions: Turkey Sticks Storage & Shelf Life: Final Tips: Your pup…

  • Homemade Noodle Cups

    Homemade Noodle Cups

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    Chelsi
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    If you love the convenience of instant noodles but want to control the ingredients, these homemade noodle cups are the perfect pantry staple. The best part? You don’t need a water bath or pressure canner to make them! With just a few simple ingredients and a vacuum sealer (optional but recommended), you’ll have ready-to-go meals…