Let Nature Inspire Your Kitchen!

Spring has rolled around here again and after a rather more harsh winter than I am use to here in the deep South, it is very, very welcome! Warmer days always seem to stir my joy and optimism. And seeing new life on the trees and young plants and wildflowers seems to make up for any terrible cold and dark we endured for the last several months.

I often find that I can’t stand to be inside on beautiful days of fresh air. The welcoming sun is all I need to neglect my inside chores and race outside to bask in the rays for hours. But chores still have to be done! 🙂 I have often wished that I could take all my chores outside on the gorgeous spring days. Of course hanging clothes to dry on a laundry line is a great idea if you have the space. The first cutting of the grass will always take you outside. Or you could do your ironing on the back porch like I have done a few times 🙂

But cooking and baking are a few of those chores that will keep you inside no matter how beautiful the day is. How can we bring all this beautiful nature into the house with us? And let it inspire our day to day cooking and baking? Long gone are the days of Tudor style kitchen gardens where you could step outside for the handfuls of fresh produce and herbs that you needed for dinner. Or the orchards that were often just through the gate or over the wall teeming with fresh fruit. 

Here are a few ideas to let nature help you in the kitchen this time of year. Happy Spring!!

• Take a walk around your neighborhood or at a park and see if there are any edible plants you can forage to bring home for dinner.
• Go berry-picking! You-pick-farms could really use a boost after last year. Soon, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries will be in season!
• Take your cooking outside! Try cooking over a fire or grill for a few meals.
• If it’s not too much trouble and you have the space, create a mini outdoor kitchen. A table, electric outlet and some cooking utensils are all you need.
• If you can’t cook outside, eat outside as often as you can! Have a picnic!
• Use fresh herbs, fresh produce and fresh fruit in your meals as much as you can! Not only is it healthy, washing fresh produce and fruit and simply serving it as is, makes dinner prep really easy!
• Start a kitchen garden! Or a container garden with some of your favorite vegetables if you live in the city.
• Try to eat a lot of your fresh produce and fresh fruits raw as nature intended.