Rhubarb Delight

Summer’s bounty provides us with many items from the garden.  Rhubarb is one that some like and some do not.  This dish may change a few minds.

1 stick of butter cut into small pieces and kept cold– reserve two tablespoons for later

1 cup of flour

½ cup of dark brown sugar

¼ cup of white sugar

1.4 cup of quick Oatmeal

Pinch of salt

Put the flour, Oatmeal, sugars and salt in a food processor with a steel blade.  Pulse once or twice to mix.  Put 6 tablespoons of the butter in processor and pulse until you have a coarse mixture.  Set in fridge while you do the rest.

Pre heat your oven to 350

6 cups of Rhubarb – cleaned and cut in small pieces – about 2 pounds

1 inch of fresh ginger – peeled and grated to yield 1 ½ tablespoons.

1 cup of white sugar

Mix all of the above and add a pinch of salt.  Pour into a 3 quart baking dish that you have buttered or used a spray.  Melt the last 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the rhubarb mixture.  Take the first mixture out of the fridge and sprinkle over the top to form a crust. 

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

Variations

Add 2 cups of strawberries and reduce the Rhubarb by 1 cup.

SLIDERS

Small hamburgers  – Sliders have been popular for some time.  To make them at home you can use any recipe you like.  The key is to have them all the same size and weight so they cook at the same time.  Here are some good recipes and ways to make them at home.

All Beef Sliders

Use good quality beef that is 85/15 (meat to fat ratio).  That will make them juicy and flavorful.  I also mix in some salt, pepper and garlic powder to the meat before I form them.  Normally you do not pack the burger when forming.  However I have found that a little pressure on these as you form them will help keep them together.  I use a small scoop to measure and then form them in my hand.  Make sure that the patty is uniform in size and thickness.  You can also use a melon baller or anything that makes the size patty you want.  These do shrink so keep that in mind.  What you do not want is a thick large patty mixed in with smaller ones. 

Meatloaf Sliders – I use a ratio of 1 part ground pork or sausage to 4 parts beef.  I also add a beaten egg and some finely chopped onions.  These can be exceptional!  My favorite way is to use Italian Sausage with the Beef.

Taco Burger sliders – Add 1 package of Taco Seasoning to the meat along with some shredded Cheddar Cheese  - about 2 tablespoons.  You can also add some diced green chilies and onions.  These are very good but watch when you cook them and the cheese might cause some flair up on a grill.

Turkey Sliders – Add some salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil before making the patties.  You can also substitute Turkey for the Beef in any of the other recipes.

Have good small rolls on hand along with all the fixings!!

Produce Tips

One of the things I do to save money and make produce last longer is to take care of them as soon as I am home from the store.  Here are some ideas that may help you.

Heads of lettuce - If they need cleaning do that as soon as you get home.  I wash all the lettuces, spin dry and then place them in separate bags by type.  You may also put a paper towel in the bag to absorb excess moisture and help keep the lettuce crisp

Green onions and Radishes - Trim the root ends off these.  For Green Onions I trim the green ends as uniform as possible.  I store Radishes in water in sealed container.  Change water every other day until they are used.  Green onions do great in sealed plastic bag wrapped in a paper towel.

Tomatoes - DO NOT STORE IN THE REFRIGERATOR.  They lose flavor in cold storage.  If you have one that has been sliced, then you can store in the cold but it will lose flavor

Cucumbers - Leave them whole and put them in the crisper.  Once you start to use them then wrap the end in plastic wrap.  One of my favorite’s uses is thin slices with onions in vinegar and water.

Berries - All kinds - check them as soon as you get home for any signs of mold or age.  If there are any that may have mold throw them out.  If you try to save them they will make all the rest go bad.  Strawberries do better when they can breathe.  The harder ones need to be in separate containers with a paper towel on the bottom.  Just check them daily.

So do you have any tips?  Use the comment section!!