June 2009
The weather is again proving unpredictable
here in Ontario. Frost expected tonight, (last day of May) and
we have our fireplace going today, because my husband saw a sprinkling of hail. He is addicted to a woodstove and any
excuse will do. Just can't give up that
"deep-sleepy-mode" type of winter heat.
Though it is I admit, quite comforting on
an overcast day, it was difficult to stay
awake chopping the bit of rhubarb I have
finally been able to get from my garden. I have all Canadian Red, and it's truly quite a gorgeous variety.
Anyway, took as much as I could for now, gave
the garden a big cup of coffee from the watered down grounds I keep, and hopefully
there will be more to get in a few weeks.
If you have any growing tips you would like to share, would love to hear from you at
Rhubarb Expertise
In anticipation of warmer temperatures soon, featured are some "cool you off" rhubarb recipes.
Rhubarb Smoothie Lite
1 cup frozen rhubarb, diced
1 cup frozen strawberries 1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 cup Rice Dream Original rice milk
1 serving Brown Rice Protein powder
1 tsp Honey (or to desired sweetness)
Blend until smooth.
Info For the Beer Drinkers
Tesco is the biggest retailer of beer in
the UK, and has given many smaller breweries
the opportunity to expand distribution.
Tesco holds an Annual Summer and Autumn Beer
Challenge to all UK breweries. Beers are sampled
blind by experienced beer judges, with the winners
earning distribution throughout the Tesco chain.
Ruddles Rhubarb Ale was a one time "Best Beer"
and one judge was quoted as saying he was surprised
at how much he enjoyed it. It is known as more of a subtle summer beer with a bitter-sweet twist and a "blast of vanilla." It apparently goes very well with
old cheddar cheese and an assortment of sweet desserts.
Do you get Ruddles Ale from England where you live?
We have it here, but will have to check on whether
or not the Rhubarb-flavored is included.
Rhubarb Sorbet
5 1/2 cups of chopped fresh rhubarb
2 1/2 cups water
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. orange zest
2 tblsp. corn syrup
Place rhubarb, sugar, water, salt, and
orange zest in a saucepan. Bring to a
boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low.
Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Let cool 10 minutes. Puree in a blender
or food processor until smooth. Press through a fine mesh strainer into a large
bowl to remove the pulp.
Stir in corn syrup. You can dispose of the pulp.
Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
This can take several hours or overnight.
Process in your ice cream maker according
to the manufacturer's instructions. The
sorbet will be soft and creamy! Put in
a container and freeze.
Makes approximately 1 quart.
Rhubarb Ginger Cooler
10 cups chopped fresh rhubarb
2 1/2 cups cold water 1 3/4 cups sugar 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh ginger 2 cups sparkling water
Bring rhubarb, cold water, sugar, and ginger to
a simmer in a 4 or 5 quart pot over medium heat.
Stir once or twice, then simmer 1 minute. Remove
from heat and let it steep uncovered for 1 hour.
Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Stir gently, but do not press hard
on the solids. Throw away the solids.
This makes 6 cups of syrup. Chill syrup well. Serve in glasses over ice with a splash of
sparkling water, club soda or even gin!
Interesting News From British Columbia
A high school student Yang (Linda) Liu has
won a national award for her research into
the potential beneficial effects of rhubarb
in preventing Alzheimer's Disease.
Linda is a Grade 12 student at Sands Secondary,
and was one of 489 students competing in the
National Science Fair in Winnipeg. She won one
of eight $500 Manning Innovation Achievement
Awards. Four projects will be chosen from the
eight for a $4,000 award.
Her research focused on the effects of rhubarb
extract on a specific protein suspected of
causing brain cell damage seen in Alzheimer's
patients. When certain molecules are not properly
shaped, the proteins clump together and brain
cells lose their structure and function.
Ms. Liu discovered that rhubarb extract possesses
the ability to inhibit the clumping of the protein. I continue to be amazed at the possible capabilities
of rhubarb. Wouldn't it be something if rhubarb had
a significant hand in the treatment of Alzheimer's?
I have put up a number of Rhubarb Festival Listings lately that are coming up soon, and for some very worthy causes too.
Check them out on the site if you haven't lately to see if something is coming to your area. Would love to hear from you if you have attended one.
Feel free to share your take on the event at
Rhubarb Festival Story
You don’t need an ice cream maker for this.
Rhubarb Freeze
5 cups organic rhubarb
2 cups organic sugar
½ cup water
2 organic egg whites
1 cup organic whipping cream
Wash the rhubarb, and cut it into pieces about
one inch long. Put rhubarb, sugar and water in
a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer until
the rhubarb is very tender. Push rhubarb and liquid through a sieve placed over a large bowl.
Discard parts that will not go through the sieve.
You should have about 4 cups of rhubarb puree.
Let cool. Pour into trays or long flat plastic
containers and partially freeze.
Meanwhile, beat the egg whites until soft peaks
form, whip the cream, and chill a large bowl. When the puree is firmly frozen on the edges but
still soft in the center, put it in the cold bowl
and quickly beat it thoroughly. Fold in the egg
whites and whipped cream. Return the mixture to
the freezer, and freeze until firm.
Serves 8-10.
The red stalks of spring, go and seize ‘em.
For this urging, I’ll give you good reason.
Rhubarb grows like a weed,
But goes quickly to seed,
Unless you wash, cut ‘em and freeze ‘em!
Thankyou "Dennis" for contributing the limerick!
Remember, please feel free to contribute your Rhubarb Family
Favorite Recipe if you would like. You can do that at
Best Rhubarb Recipes
Until Next Time, Elizabeth
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