Festive Gathering in the Foothills of Litchfield, Connecticut With Watermelon Martini’s and Caprese Crostini
Nothing is more exciting than going to a farmer's market or produce stand to pick up freshly grown fruits and vegetables for your upcoming event. But even better than that is growing your herbs and vegetables at home. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of harvesting fresh produce and using it to cook a delicious meal.
I have a few raised garden beds where I grow vegetables and pots filled with rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, sage, mint, parsley, dill, and chives. Fresh ingredients make a difference when cooking; the freshness of home or locally-grown vegetables and herbs makes a dish better.
I like to put my herbs in containers and place them on or around my back patio. I adore the aromas they bring and the additional greenery they add to my view. I open my door and pick what I need when cooking or decorating a dish if I need an herb. The beauty of container gardening is that you can put them anywhere. I always make seasonal gardening, container gardening, and raised beds.
Here are some of the benefits of growing your herbs and vegetables:
Freshness: Nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homegrown herbs and vegetables.
Flavor: Homegrown herbs and vegetables flavor more intensely than store-bought produce.
Nutrition: Homegrown herbs and vegetables are often more nutritious than store-bought produce.
Cost savings: Growing your herbs and vegetables can save money on your grocery bill.
Satisfaction: There is a great sense of satisfaction in growing your food.
If you are interested in growing your herbs and vegetables, there are a few things you need to do:
Choose the correct location. Herbs and vegetables need full sun and well-drained soil.
Prepare the soil. The soil should be loose and free of weeds.
Add compost or manure to the soil. Compost and manure will add nutrients to the soil.
Plant the seeds or seedlings. Follow the instructions on the seed packet or plant tag.
Water the plants regularly. Water the plants deeply and regularly.
Fertilize the plants. Fertilize the plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Protect the plants from pests and diseases. Monitor the plants for pests and diseases and take steps to control them.
Harvest the plants. Harvest the plants when they are ripe.
Growing your herbs and vegetables is a rewarding experience, and it is a great way to save money, eat healthier, and enjoy the freshest produce possible.
Stepping outdoors and picking my herbs and vegetables warms my soul, and it is one of the most wholesome experiences I can do for myself and my family. I grow only organic. Therefore, I know everything I cook is made with the healthiest and freshest ingredients.
I found a lovely recipe for a Watermelon mint Lime Martini and thought they were a great idea to serve my guests for an Independence Day gathering. It’s festive and refreshing on a warm summer day.
This watermelon martini was delicious and very easy to make. If you have a juicing machine, even more accessible. I squeezed a little more fresh lime into my cocktails, adding a slight sweetness that only limes could do.
The martini is a famous cocktail made with mostly gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Sometimes a few bitters are added. Over the years, the martini has become one of the favored mixed alcoholic beverages with different recipe variations.
This Watermelon Mint Lime Martini was a hit with my guests! The one recommendation I would add to this recipe is to be sure you get fresh ingredients to make your martinis. It adds to the flavorful sweetness of this drink. It’s the perfect summertime cocktail.
Using a small cookie cutter, I garnished my martinis with a piece of watermelon shaped like a star. I then took a knotted bamboo food pick and added some blueberries and raspberries, and I rested the pick on the martini glass for added color and texture.
To get the martini recipe, click on the picture or follow this link to Savory Sweet Life.
“She had a cocktail in her hand & confetti in her hair”
Now, let’s talk about my favorite bread bakery in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut.
The Bantam Bread Co.
If I am entertaining at home and need rustic all-natural bread, I will go to The Bantam Bread Co. They are dedicated to producing the best artisans’ bread and rustic pastries made with the finest ingredients that we can buy. I will go as far as to say that I have not found another around this area that is better at making bread as they are.
It is a feast for all the senses when entering their tiny bakeshop. The bread is on cooling racks, ready for sale, and the rustic pastries are a delight to see, especially for a sweet tooth like me. They are lovely to look at, and the taste is super fresh and wholesome. I recommend the trip highly. Not only will you buy a fantastic product, but going through the Litchfield Hills is a treat. One warning….get there early because the locals love their bread as much as I do!
Their mission!
from scratch.............by hand...........ALL-NATURAL
My favorite bread? Pain De Campagne
Photo and artisan crafted by The Bantam Bread Co. Click on the photo to go to their website.
The Pain de Campagne is a French word for country bread. Centuries ago, French villages had communal ovens where the townspeople would bring their dough to be baked, and the loaves weighed from four to as much as twelve pounds. These large loaves typically fed a family for days or weeks until the next baking day.
Recipe for my Caprese Crostini
Caprese Crostini
Ingredients
Tomato
Pain De Campagne
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
Few Sprigs of Basil
Olive Oil
Fresh Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Salt and Pepper
Click here if you want to learn more about this lovely serve board
Cut bread into 1 to 1 1/2 slices, brush both sides with a small amount of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grill bread - watch the bread carefully because they char quickly. Look for a bit of char on the bread and flip them to the other side. Grill the same way and then take them off the fire.
Layer onto the grilled bread…
A slice of fresh tomato about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, depending on you. I like a thicker piece of tomato because I love fresh tomatoes, but you may be different.
Then add a slice of fresh mozzarella. I buy the Bel Gioioso Fresh Mozzarella brand that is already sliced. It’s just easier, and the slices are similar to each other.
Add basil leaves on top of the mozzarella
Add about 1-2 teaspoons of fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Drizzle with robust olive oil on top of the ingredients. I will drizzle the olive oil on the bread and the other ingredients.
Add salt and pepper to taste
That’s it!
These Caprese Crostini are a good size if you buy a full-size loaf of bread. This was a meal for me since I had added additional tomatoes.
I chose a lovely blue and white plate to celebrate the 4th of July fully. I always try using color to keep with my gatherings’ theme (Independence Day). For me, it’s always a consideration when serving a meal.
Char Grilled Caprese Crostini Topped with Parmigiano Riggiano
Independence day calls for casual and hearty food.
Note: When grilling the bread, be careful it doesn’t char too quickly.
Dessert
I selected fresh berries for dessert to create a lovely festive, refreshing presentation. My vintage cobalt blue hand-blown martini glasses were perfect for a gorgeous deep blue, and I filled them with homemade vanilla whipped cream and then berries on top.
I found fresh strawberries at one of my favorite organic OPEN MARKETs, Bristol Farm’s mARKET in Canton, Connecticut. It is my go-to farm for fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
At this time of year, the strawberries in New England are fully ripened and are being harvested. I picked up a few pints and added some other berries with them. The flavor stood on its own, and the presentation and taste were DELICIOUS!
Happy Independence Day!
“make everyday a little less ordinary”
“The thing is…you don’t have to serve an elaborate meal when entertaining! Think about the freshness of the food and the color of your dish. There is nothing better than seasonal fruits and vegetables. To bring out the best in your meal, buy fresh ingredients.
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining, my friends!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
Check out my other 4th of July Blog….Hosting a 4th of July Celebration! Click on the picture to learn more.
