Free Product Samples

During the Month of MAY everyone who orders/purchases over $20 in products from HERITAGE HARVEST HOME(STEAD) will receive a free sample product.

Our first WINNER is  Susan and Rob Stoppkotte  of the Grand Island/Hastings, NE area who ordered several GLUTEN-FREE products home-made with loving care from Grandma Farmers kitchen here at HERITAGE HARVEST HOME(STEAD) through the Nebraska Food Coop.  Thank you for your order!

You can be a WINNER too!  Any combination of products can be ordered to get your free sample product!

Check out our LOCAL DIRT offerings (free delivery to Auburn, Lincoln and Nebraska City) by clicking this link:  http://www.localdirt.com/market_search-a230.html?vendorID=6377  OR contact us via email and pick up your order here at the farm!


You can also order through Nebraska Food Coop at:  http://www.nebraskafood.org/food/product_list.php?type=producer_id&producer_id=124 or www.NebraskaFood.org, click on shopping, list or producers, Heritage Harvest Home to get a list of our products.

Spearmint

Spearmint herb or garden mint or common mint has long been reputed for its characteristic aroma it imparts to the recipes it added to. The least pungent and subtle among the species of mint family, this unique herb is one of chef’s main culinary favorites.

Health benefits of spearmint

• Spearmint is pleasantly aromatic herb packed with numerous health benefiting vitamins, antioxidants and phyto-nutrients.
• The leaves and herb parts contain essential oil, menthol. Unlike in peppermint, spearmint leaves composes only small amounts of menthol, 0.5% compared to the 40% in peppermint. Less menthol content would make this herb least pungent and subtly fragrant herb in the mint family.
• The herb has low calories (about 43 calories per 100 g) and contains zero cholesterol.
• The chief essential oil in spearmint is menthol. Other important chemical components of spearmint areα-pinene, β-pinene, carvone, cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene and caryophyllene. These compounds in mint help relieve fatigue and stress.
• The herb parts are also very good in minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron (148% of RDA), and magnesium. Iron is required for enzymes in cellular metabolism and synthesis of hemoglobin. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.
• Further, the herb is also rich in many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin A (provides 4054 IU or 135% of RDA), beta-carotene, vitamin C, folates (26% of RDA), vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin and thiamin.

Medicinal uses

Almost all parts of spear mint herb found a place in various traditional as well in modern medicine.

• The herb decoction is an excellent remedy for minor ailments such as headaches, nervous strain, fatigue and stress, as well as for the respiratory problems; helping with asthma, bronchitis and catarrh.
• It is very useful to deal with digestive problems, including nausea, flatulence and hiccups as it relaxes the stomach muscles.
• The essential oil, menthol, has analgesic, local anaesthetic and counterirritant properties. Menthol also found application in the preparation of toothpaste and mouth refreshers.
• On the skin, when used as cream or lotion, it may help relieve the itching of pruritis, dermatitis, and hives.
• Spearmint oil is used as blended massage oil and in the aromatic therapy to help relieve headaches, stress, fatigue, and nervous conditions and to relieve itching.
• Spearmint tea can be used safely in pregnancy. In women, it helps reduce unwanted hairs through its anti-androgenic properties.
  
  
  
  
  

  Selection and storage

  Fresh spearmint leaves available all around the year. The herb is grown in much similar fashion like peppermint,basil, oregano, etc. It can be grown in pots, as garden herb or cultivated at a larger scale as a field crop for the production of essential oils. In general, its leaves are harvested just before flowering stage for culinary purposes. However, the whole plant may be gathered in full flower for distillation of essential oils.

  In the herb store, its leaves and stems, fresh or dried are available. Choose spearmint leaves that are fresh, tender shoots featuring bright green color with spearmint scent. Avoid wilted, yellow and floral leaves.

  Once at home, wash the leaves in clean running water, pat dry with absorbent paper and store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for use in a near future.

  Preparation and serving methods

  Unlike other mint species, spearmint contains very minimal quantities in menthol; hence less harsh and pungent, making it one of the most preferred herbs in cooking, confectionary, and in health drinks.

  
  

  Here are some serving tips:
  

  • Its fresh leaves, either chopped or ground, can be added in the salads.
  • It is good for making mint sauce. To prepare mint sauce, ground fresh mint leaves mixed with yogurt, cumin and little salt.
  • The herb is also used as flavoring agent in ice-creams, jams, cakes, jelly, etc.
  • Spearmint tea is a popular drink.
  • The herb is also used in cooking recipes. In general, the herb is added in small amounts, chopped or ground, to recipes at the last moment in order to retain their flavor and taste.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

What to do with apple butter - how to use it!

Apple butter is a traditional German and Pennsylvania Dutch treat.  If you grow up in those cultures, you may have it heaped on cottage cheese or yogurt. Hey!  Don't knock till you;'ve tried it.  Cottage cheese with apple butter on it: yum!

Other folks spread apple butter on toast!  Here are some of the many other suggestions.  Write me if you have more to add!

1. Apple butter sandwiches! A little peanut butter is often added!
2. As a sauce to accompany pork loin or pork chops.
3. Add it to your morning oatmeal.
4. In sandwiches: grilled turkey,brie and apple butter sandwich
5. Flour tortillas crepes - heat the tortillas with a little oil, roll them up with apple butter as a filling. Then sprinkle them with a little cinnamon and sugar and toss them back in the skillet for a bit to caramelize the sugar and give them a crispy coating.

Pork or Chicken & Pears with Quiona

I wish I had a picture of this excellent dish that only takes about 30 minutes to prepare.  Keys to making it a healthy meal is to remember to use ONLY Pasture raised Pork. This would work equally well with chicken!   I adapted this dish from a recipe I found in Good Housekeeping.

Serves 2

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1.5 cups chopped fresh butternut squash (3/4-inch cubes) (can use frozen)
1 cup chopped Swiss Chard (can use spinach or Kale)
1/2 pound Pastured Pork tenderloin (I used two small chops), This would work equally well with chicken!
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated
1 ripe pear, cored and cut into eighths
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 tablespoon pure apple cider vinegar

Chives are Ready!

Chives are ready in Grandma Farmers garden here at Heritage Harvest Home(stead).  We love them in Fritattas, Omelets and on baked potatoes.  Available for $1.85 per ounce or $14 for 8 ounces here at the farm.  Contact Us to Order

We also love them in this great dip recipe:

Garlic Chive Dip

4 ounces Cream Cheese
1/2 cup
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1-2 tablespoons diced chives
1/8th teaspoon kosher or sea salt

Blend the Cream Cheese and yogurt.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.  Serve with chips or a vegetable tray.

Queso Blanco Cheese - EASY

We don't use soy in any form here at Heritage Harvest Home(stead).  We have found several recipes that look yummy that use tofu.  Our solution is to substitute Queso Blanco Cheese because it behaves like tofu in recipes.  Queso Blanco Cheese is especially yummy made with our wonderful, nutrient dense goat milk.  Today our goats are going out on pasture for the first time this spring.  We do feed our goats a bit of grain while they are being milked but never use gluten grains.  All our grains are Non-GMO, organic.

Queso Blanco Cheese - EASY RECIPE