Posts Tagged ‘Herbs’

Texas B&B Rosemary Peach Martini

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Do you have  Rosemary growing in your garden?  Are you a Martini fan?  If you answered yes to those questions,  you will want to try this recipe, one of Murski Homestead B&B’s signature drinks! Cooking class participants at the ranch oohed and aawed over this cocktail (any leftover Rosemary syrup can be used over pound cake, in iced tea, over fresh fruit, to make a sorbet or ice cream…..so don’t throw away a single drop!)

Rosemary-Peach Martini

Martini Time!

2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. peach syrup
1/2 oz. rosemary simple syrup***
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
ice
Put all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake.  Strain into Martini stem, garnish with fresh lemon slice and serve immediately.
***Rosemary Simple Syrup:  heat 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 6 (4 inch) sprigs fresh rosemary.  Bring to boil, cover, turn off heat and let steep 20 minutes.  Strain syrup and store in refrigerator in clean sterilized bottle.

Cooking with Dill….Texas B&B Cooking Instructor

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Dill is a herb that reseeds in our gardens in  southern  regions of Texas and comes up in  early Spring,  bolting by early to mid summer depending on the weather.  In some locals it can be overwintered if no serious freeze occur.  It is  one of the herbs we love using in spring and summer classes at the B&B during our classes and for our on cooking pleasure.

Cooking Instructor, Pamela Murski

Recently, Pamela Murski, cooking instructor and innkeeper at Murski Homestead, gave a Dill cooking demonstration during a program for the Herb Society of America, Pioneer Unit hosted by  her culinary group.  Use my recipe  below as a dip  for crudites, as  a sauce on poached/pan fried fish or thinned with a little whole milk  for a delectable dressing for  fresh  spring greens…..

Creamy Dill Dressing
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
3/4 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs. lemon olive oil
2 tsp. sriracha chili sauce (Thai hot sauce)
1 Tbs. minced shallots
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh snipped fresh dill
1 tsp. salt or to taste
Fine grind black pepper to taste
Combine ingredients (except salt & pepper) in a small bowl and whisk to blend.  Season with salt and pepper.
Store in covered container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Herbs for Spring at Texas B&B Ranch

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

Spring at our Ranch B&Bin Brenham, Texas is just around the corner and after this crazy, wild winter we are planning on a bumper crop of spring herbs. Some of our favorites include Aussie Sweetie Basil, African Blue Basil, Biergarten Sage, Lemongrass, Rose Pelargonium,  Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, Mexican Mint Marigold and Lemon Thyme, to name just a few.   Our Bay Laurel trees have survived the frigid temps of this winter in  fine form, as well as the Thyme, Rosemaries, some of the Sages, Parsley, Fennel, Sweet Marjoram and more.  If you try any of these, they will definitely  get you started on the  road to flavor!  (more…)

Cuban Food: Cooking with the Culinary Queens

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Another incredible cooking time and meal with the Culinary Queens, my Herb Society, culinary group!  This time it was a Cuban meal with everything from “Chichachirritas” to delicious “Café Cubano Con  Leche”.  The Chichachirritas will find their way onto the menu for Friday night appetizers for one of our famous Foodie Weekends at the B&B!  The Chichachirritas were crispy with a delicate flavor heightened by the pungent green sauce…this is  one  of those appetizers that you want more and more of!  Served with Mojitos, you’re sure to have a great time!  Here’s the recipe…. (more…)

Winter Gardens Brenham TX B&B Guest Ranch

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Winter gardens at the ranch are a thing of beauty even in their starkness.   The Camellias and Quince are blooming which is a sure sign of late winter at the ranch and also a reminder that Spring is just around the corner! After this unusually wet and cold winter, I am anxiously awaiting a wonderful Spring full of incredible fresh green herbs and beautiful new garden growth at the B&B!

The Big Freeze of 2010 at Brenham, Texas B&B Ranch

Friday, February 12th, 2010

The ponds froze up this year during the big freeze of January 2010!  We haven’t seen this in  years.  The gardens took the brute force of the below freezing temperatures that lasted for several days, looking worse for wear (even though we covered and clamped down and lit up with lights to help keep them warm!).  Those that have not survived the big chill will be replaced with a new and different specimen.  This is  our opportunity to  venture out with something new and experiment.  The freeze is a definite bonus for us with bugs in that it depletes the numbers and knocks them back to a more manageable level for  us.  When the ranch goes years without a major freeze, it allows the bugs to multiply and winter over creating more work for us with each succeeding year!….especially for those of us who are mostly organic gardeners!  Looking forward to Spring, the wildflowers at the B&B and excited to see what comes back in  our gardens!

Gardening, Local Food, Cooking Classes at Murski Homestead

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Our cooking classes feature local produce, meats and wine when available and we seek to encourage cooks to use local  foods from their farmers markets and co-ops.  Promote sustainability and living fresh from the farm by purchasing from local growers.  You will enhance your health as well as your palate!  To that end there is an event coming up for anyone who is  interested in  gardening, growing your own food, experiencing a local growers world or just learning something  new.  It is the Market Growers Symposium March 2010!  To learn more about it check out the link!  Come stay with Murski  Homestead B&B that same weekend and double your pleasure!  Book now  for March fills up quickly!

Cooking Classes at Brenham Texas Bed and Breakfast Ranch

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

February 4th  kicks off our Cooking Classes Luncheon Series for 2010 which are now posted for Murski Homestead B&B Ranch. Whether you want to learn more about cooking or just enjoy some great food and take home some delicious recipes, the cooking classses offered by instructor/Innkeeper Pamela Murski are sure to please.  Our  classes are small, interactive fun and delicious and  geared toward personal  attention.   Cooking shouldn’t be something to fear rather something to enjoy and bring people together……it is a fantastic journey through life using all one’s senses.  Click Here to see our class schedule and register or call  to book 877-690-0676.

Moroccan Cooking with the Culinary Queens

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Moroccan food is  redolent with aromatic spices and seasonings such as garlic, tumeric, saffron, anise, chilis, cardamom, cumin, lemons and more.  The food is delicious, fun to make and better when  shared around the table with friends.  The is another example of what guests might encounter during one  of our cooking  classes.  The Tagine, though a staple cooking vessel in  Moroccan homes, is not an absolute necessity to have.  You can subsitute a good quality covered clay pot or heavy cast iron covered pot.  We made the following items for our luncheon menu  (The Shish Kabob recipe is included as it is fabulous!)….. (more…)

"Foodie" Weekends at Brenham Texas B&B Ranch

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

We are all about good food at the Murski Homestead B&B Ranch!  Whether with a group of good friends or making new friends, nothing says TEXAS better than a great meal and relaxation around the table and in the  kitchen……Our 2010 schedule for our fantastic “Foodie” Weekends is now posted.  Guests determine the depth of their involvement, with options ranging from a visit to an area farmer’s market, garden/herb harvest to cooking with me. Regardless of how much you get involved, these weekends are all about kicking back with some great food & drinks!  Click  Here for our scheduled dates and booking your stay for a fun and delicious foodie vacation!

1662 Old Independence Road • Brenham, TX 77833
Toll Free: 877-690-0676 • Phone: 979-830-1021
Email: pmurski@sbcglobal.net
 
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