Getty Stewart - Home Economist

06/23/2026

Always reaching for the same lettuce? Let's change that. 🥬

There are SO many types out there, and each one brings something different to the table. Crisp romaine and iceberg hold up to any dressing. Hearty kale and chard get better when you cook them. Buttery, delicate leaves like Bibb melt in your mouth. Bold radicchio and endive add a punch of flavour. And peppery arugula or watercress can transform a plate with just a handful.

Swipe through to explore a few of our favourites 👉 then mix and match your favourites this month for a chance to win our seasonal cooking challenge. We can't wait to see what you create!

Want to learn more about all things lettuce? https://tinyurl.com/cffseasonlettuce

Join the challenge: https://www.gettystewart.com/seasonal-cooking-challenge/

06/21/2026

Love chicken lettuce wraps but not the lettuce cup fuss?

This Deconstructed Lettuce Wrap Salad has all the flavours of lettuce wraps in one easy bowl. Crisp lettuce, seasoned chicken, colourful vegetables, vermicelli noodles, cashews, fresh herbs, and a sesame-lime dressing.

One of my favourite meal-in - one salads from my Summer Salad Recipe Book https://www.gettystewart.com/summer-salads-recipe-book/

Just another reason to get this amazing book😉

06/18/2026

This post is a paid partnership with Manitoba Chicken Producers ( ).

Celebrate summer with Manitoba Chicken Producers' Moroccan chicken koftas. They just might be the most flavourful thing coming off your grill this summer!

They could not be easier to make. Season ground chicken with onions, garlic, fresh parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, allspice, salt, pepper, cayenne and a little cinnamon. Shape it around a well-soaked, flat skewer and grill until thermometer reads 165F/74C (about 12 minutes).

Ground chicken koftas offer a lean source of protein, amazing flavour and a nice change to traditional BBQ fare. I like to serve them with cucumber, tomato mint salad, seasoned chickpeas, lemon parsley couscous, yogurt tahini sauce, pickled red onions, feta and warm pitas.

Tell me below, do you prefer them wrapped in a pita or served on a bed of rice or couscous?

Full recipe https://manitobachicken.ca/recipe/moroccan-chicken-kofta-2/

06/16/2026

5 ways to elevate your salads this summer.

Nothing dampens a good salad like wet lettuce.

This post is possible thanks to a paid partnership with Canadian Food Focus, Love Food Hate Waste Canada / J’aime manger, pas gaspiller Canada and Half Your Plate

1️⃣ You HAVE to dry your greens.

No salad spinner? Wrap your washed lettuce in a cotton towel or pillowcase and become a human spinner. (Caution: drain well and consider standing outside or over your bathtub, especially if using a thin towel).

Use centrifugal force to drive out the water. It works!

Need a little fun? Try the spin cycle on your washing machine (not the dryer), it does the same thing. Yes, it actually works!

Once your greens are dry, here are 4 more ways to elevate your salad:

2️⃣ Mix and match your greens — build different textures and flavours for a more interesting bite

3️⃣ Balance your toppings — aim for something crunchy, creamy, tangy, and sweet

4️⃣ Make a homemade dressing — create unique flavour from simple ingredients

5️⃣ Add a garnish — finish with cheese, fresh herbs, nuts, or edible flowers for that final touch

Follow for more ways to make the most of fresh seasonal produce.

06/14/2026

Fresh spinach from garden to plate in minutes. This bacon and egg spinach salad is one of my favourites all summer long.

Crispy bacon, boiled eggs, radish, cucumber, chive blossoms, and a creamy dressing. Simple, seasonal, and so satisfying.

Share with a friend who needs more salad inspiration.

06/14/2026

This is cold & wet stressed basil.

Share this with your basil-loving friends who may be facing the same issues.

After a week of cold and rain, my basil has yellow-green leaves and has slowed its growth. Other signs you might see include wilting leaves, black or dark patches on the leaves, or black/brown on stems, particularly at the base (the start of rot).

Here’s what to do:

• If it’s in a pot, bring it inside or move it to a sheltered spot — don’t repot it right now
• If it’s in the ground, wait.
• Don’t fertilize, transplant or prune a stressed plant

Warmer days are coming.

basilpruning

06/13/2026

https://youtu.be/9Ph-Fqj3FHY?si=yfLejgs2jMJNrlzi
Check out my nephew Tyler and his wife Kate as they share a glimpse into farm life at seeding time. Love these guys!

In May, Tyler starts work at 4 or 5 a.m. and doesn't stop until 10 ...

06/12/2026

Living lettuce is lettuce sold with the roots still attached.

Share this post with a friend who needs to try it!

Unlike cut lettuce, the plant is still alive when you bring it home, which can help it stay fresh longer. You cut only what you need from the outside and pack the rest up to keep for later. Water the root ball to keep it damp.

Can you actually plant it? Yes! Once you’ve harvested most of the lettuce, loosen the root ball, (separate it by soaking in water if there are more than one heads) and plant in a pot or in a garden with well draining, nutrient rich soil. Water as you would any other garden plant.

You can see what mine looked like 5 days later. The leaves look perky and a little more green.

But caution: it may not work every time and you won’t get lettuce for life - but hey, what have you got to lose from trying?!

Have you tried living lettuce? What variety do you like? Have you tried planting it?

Follow for more seasonal tips.

06/11/2026

All things chives!

I just posted my latest newsletter and it's all about using and preserving those chives - including the blossoms.

Check it out and subscribe to be the first to see my latest seasonal tips and recipes.

Hi, I'm Getty. If you love making good use of seasonal produce, you're in the right place. I've been teaching how to select, store and serve seasonal fruits, veggies and herbs since the turn of the century! I love using my education as a Professional Home Economist and experience as a home cook, gar...