A Video Review of the EZ Creamer

The EZ Creamer Corn Creamer is demonstrated by one of our customers in this video. Ready to buy yours for just $61.95 with FREE shipping? Just click here.

We would love to feature your review! Have a video? Written review? Let us know.

Be Corny!

Let's get corny! Spring has sprung and the growing season has begun! Here at Southern Garden Tools, we are getting calls from customers ordering our EZ Creamer Corn System-- and easy corn cutter that utilizes a drill to remove corn kernels easily-- whole kernel and cream-style. So what a more fitting time than to discuss the types of corn and just how this delicious barbecue staple is beneficial to its devouring fans!



The varieties of corn is nearly unlimited but they can be categorized into six basic types. While sweet corn is what lands on our plates for its sweet, low starch taste, dent corn-- named for the dimple present on the kernel-- accounts for 99% of US corn production. Bland and starchy compared sweet corn, it is used for feeding livestock, making corn syrup, and producing industrial products. Popcorn kernels are another popular corn type-- popping up in theaters and homes everywhere.

Besides being delicious, corn has many healthy benefits. Packed with dietary fiber and protein, this power food also packs a mineral punch with 32% of our daily magnesium requirements. Consumption of this golden goodie has health benefits including boosting your immune system and increasing bone strengths. So chomp these niblets!

Hope you enjoyed our quick primer on corn. Head on over to EZ Cream Corn Cutting System
to check out our corn cutting system that has the drill doing all the work for you!

Our Condolences

Condolences are in order to the family of John Thomas-- maker of the Thomas Corn System.  Mr. Thomas passed away in late 2015.  His family has decided to continue manufacturing the Thomas Corn System as it was a passion of John's.  We recently received a small shipment for those looking for this popular corn cutting system. 

Tis That Time of Year!

Hi out there loyal readership!  If you are a follower of our blog, apologies are in store.  We've neglected you!  However, we've been diligently working on our new website and enhancing our social media presence.  Sorry for leaving you alone for so long!  But what a more fitting time to re-connect than this dawn of Spring!  And with Spring, we have flowers blooming, plants planting and weather heating up.  It's not too early to think about harvesting those gardens and that is why I'm blogging today.  Our lead pea sheller technician aka expert aka Kerry has written a great piece about pea shellers.  If you are thinking of buying one or just want to know more about what the heck a pea sheller is, head over to his review and check it out. (Just click here).  If you have any questions or would like to further discuss pea shellers, don't hesitate to call us at 855-Sheller.  That's 855-743-5537.  We offer expert advice, fast shipping and superior products.  Have a great Spring and be sure to visit us again as we turn our focus to our neglected blog readers. Amy at 855Sheller

Cinnamon Pear Applesauce and Sweet Friends

It is the time of year to gather Apples and Pears, then get to baking! I decided to take my children to visit my Dad this weekend and gather pears from a tree at his home. We all had a wonderful time using our large NutWizard to pick the pears right off the ground after my son climbed up the tree to shake the branches. Those of us who were waiting to use the Nut Wizard had a Harvesting Bag that we strapped on like a belt and slipped our pears right into. I tried to snap a photo, but they were too fast for me!

After visiting a while we loaded up our bounty so we could go home and make Pear Applesauce! Before we got started, we made a little detour across the road to share some of these goodies with this sweet lady. We picked a large laundry basket full of pears, so they will be divided between sauces and pie fillings....and probably a pear cake... so we can enjoy them year round.

Now, I am excited to share our recipe for Pear Applesauce. Guilt-free and no sugar added...ready for it? Do you have some apples, pears, and cinnamon? Perfect!

Ingredients:

3 Apples

4 Pears

Cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Slice and core your apples and pears. You can peel them if you prefer, but I don't because the skins will curl up and can be removed later.
2. Place all together in your crock pot and sprinkle cinnamon over them. I like cinnamon, so I am heavy handed with mine. Of course, if you don't like cinnamon, leave it out.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours. When finished either mash them up with a potato masher, or to make it even more simple, use a Food Strainer. TIME TO ENJOY!

This recipe make about 4 servings. I normally triple or quadruple the recipe to store in a jar in the fridge. It is perfect for when we have a sweet tooth and helps get even more fruit it. It is also a great recipe to can and put away. I LOVE my Canner. It is so worth the investment because of all of the money we save by putting away fresh picked fruits and vegetables rather than buying from the store. Even better than that, I know there is nothing extra added and my family is getting nothing but what I want when I open those jars. Another great way to enjoy pears would be Pear Chips. I use our Dehydrator to make sliced pears, apples, bananas,...I could go on...into healthy snacks perfect for school lunch boxes and growing tummies.

 You can find Strainers, Canners, Dehydrators, NutWizards (of all sizes), and so much more right on our website 

www.lawn-gardening-tools.com

Pecan Pie ~ with a twist!

 Pecan Pie In A Truffle

Excuse the Christmas Trees. Sometimes the kids get excited

Fall is fast approaching which means Pecans (and other nuts) are going to be falling soon. Fall means THANKSGIVING! Now, I know you don't want to think that far ahead, but I like "Thanksgiving" foods all the time. One of my favorites is Pecan Pie. I just love a gooey and sweet pecan pie. I can just taste it now, can't you? As a rule of tradition in our family, we try a "new" dish or desert every year. This year I have a spin on the traditional pecan pie.

 Pecan Pie Truffles!

 That is right! Little bite sized morsels of pie goodness. These are a favorite with my son. He does not care for pie crust, but loves the pies I make. I will often find the top part of the crust left discarded like the his bread crust. So, to save some time by not making crust, why not just dip that filling in chocolate and enjoy? Sounds like a win for everyone! So push up your sleeves and lets enjoy some pecan pie without heating up the kitchen.

Ingredient List:
2 dozen truffles

• 2 ½ cups of pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 7oz dark chocolate (can substitute for milk chocolate if you prefer) 

READY! SET! ENJOY!

1. Stir together pecans, graham crack crumbs, brown sugar, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended. Add in maple syrup and vanilla and stir thoroughly. I like to dig my hands in to ensure it is fully mixed.
2. In your hands, for a walnut sized ball with the mixture. Place each one on a wax covered cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours. (I know! The agony!)
3.  In the top of a double boiler, melt your chocolate. If you don't have a double boiler, place a stainless steel bowl over another pot of simmering water. you can use the microwave as well, but it make take longer since the chocolate will start to harden once it starts cooling. 
4. Dip your frozen chocolate balls into the melted chocolate, then place back on your cookie sheet with wax sheet or parchment paper. 
5. Let sit for 15 minutes or until firm. (The hardest part!) If you want your to have a special topping like ours, now is the time before they cool. Otherwise, the toppings won't stick.
6. ENJOY! (The best part!)

 

While preparing my truffles, I have a few gadgets that help me out. I am fortunate to live in the South, so I have pecan trees in my yard. When it is time to gather them, I use my Nut Wizard to gather and crack them with a Duke Pecan Cracker. I chop my pecans with this handy little Nut Chopper. For the graham crackers I use a general Food Chopper. It comes in handy for anything from herbs, to vegetables, to even chocolate. For the graham crackers, I break them up and place in a bowl, then I stick the food chopper right in there and chop away. I like to also break my chocolate up to help it melt quicker. I place it on my chopping board and chop it up with the same food chopper.

All of these products can we found on our website at

 www.lawn-gardening-tools.com  

Pico De Gallo: A quick treat!

Ready for a garden fresh snack?

This weekend kicks off College Football season! I love this weekend every year because it signifies the beginning of Fall for me. Fall is my favorite season and always inspires me to bake, host gatherings, and see life with a fresh passion. In our home, our favorite Collegiate team brings excitement every weekend and a tradition must have snack is my Pico De Gallo. I have been asked to can and jar it before, but honestly there is never any left! Another thing I love about it is that most of the ingredients come straight from my garden. This recipe is suited to our tastes, but I always encourage testing it out and playing with it until you get your perfect mix.

Ingredients:

Pico De Gallo

3 large diced tomatoes

1 diced medium sized onion

¼ bunch of cilantro (use more or less depending on your taste)

Juice of half a lime (lemon will work in a pinch)

1 teaspoon of minced garlic

1½ tsp of salt (I always seem to need a little more. I prefer Sea Salt)

2 jalapenos (or more if you prefer it hotter)

Optional ingredients 

(I do not use these personally, but know those who love them)

half a cucumber, peeled and diced

1 avocado, peeled and diced

Corn

Black Beans

Directions:

1. Wash tomatoes and cilantro.

2. Dice tomatoes, onions, chop cilantro, jalapenos, and the optional ingredients (avocado, cucumber)

3. Put ingredients in a bowl.

4. Add salt, garlic, the juice of half a lemon. Mix it up and serve.

*You can roast your tomatoes for great flavor.

Heat up a frying pan or skillet on medium high heat. Place whole tomatoes in the cookware and toast the outside of it until the skin begins to break and split apart. Remove from heat and continue with step two.

It really is as simple as that. Add in your favorite tortilla chips and you are set! This recipe was originally supposed to be for 8, but I have a man who loves to eat, and if you do also, figure this as more of 4-6. It does store well in the fridge if you want to make it ahead, but I prefer ours fresh. If you do allow it to sit in the fridge in a sealed container, certain flavors, like the onion or jalapeno, will intensify. I like to dice mine up a lot for more juice. I use a handheld chopper for that. 

This Progressive Food Chopper is one of my favorite kitchen tools, hands down. I use it to chop up everything from nuts, to cheese, to vegetables. It even features a measuring cup right on the side of it. How convenient is that? So, for my Pico De Gallo salsa, I halve, then quarter my tomatoes and onion, slide them a little at a time under here and chop away. I repeat with my jalapeno and cilantro. Sometimes, after I have everything mixed in the bowl, I even stick my food chopper right in the bowl and chop even more for juicer salsa.

If you want to speed up your already short prep time (Hey, football isn't a joke!), then our EZ Chopper cutting board is perfect. The knife is attached straight to the board with a swivel action and that speeds up your cutting time tremendously. Then you can swivel the knife out of the way and food chop right on the cutting board, which is what I prefer to do.

I hope you love this Pico De Gallo as much as we do. Don't limit it to just a game day treat with chips, because it is also great on tacos, eggs, in mac-n-cheese, on a salad, over chicken or fish. The list goes on and on.

All of the products featured today are available on our website www.lawn-gardening-tools.com, along with many other great kitchen helpers.