Summer has arrived and it has been hot, hot, hot! There are plenty of lush greens, crisp cucumbers, and soothing aromatic herbs like basil and oregano in your shares this week to help you and your kitchen stay cool. Dishes like this creamy cucumber salad and garlic scape pesto are quick and easy recipes that boost summer sandwiches or grilled meats, keeping meal prep to a minimum and your oven turned off.
We also have our Powerkraut Brines (pictured above) to boost your electrolytes during the hot summer days. Brine is essentially the "juice" that is produced when the salt draws out the natural sugars of the cabbage and it is just as delicious and nutritious as the kraut itself. They're tasty tonics that can be used in salad dressings or marinades (you can even soak dry beans in them!). Because they're also packed full of probiotics, enzymes, and essential vitamins and minerals, we're constantly drinking them in the form of Brine-ade to replenish our systems while working out in the heat:
Brine-ade Recipe
Ingredients
¼-½ c sweetener of choice (maple syrup, honey, sugar)
1 c hot water (optional: steep ginger or mint for added flavors)
4 c cold water
1 c Powerkraut Brine
1 juiced lemon
Directions
If flavoring hot water with ginger, mint or other herbs, steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and add sweetener of choice, mixing until dissolved. In a pitcher or ½ gallon jar, add cold water, brine, lemon juice and sweetened hot water. Drink as is or pour 1-2 ounces over ice and top with seltzer. This is a great recovery drink after a workout or time spent outside.
