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Eat Your Heart Out- Gardyn’s Exclusive Valentine’s Day Menu

Whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day with your bestie or significant other, it’s the perfect opportunity for a romantic dinner. From a fizzy, basil-infused cocktail to a vegan spin on a classic, creamy Roman pasta to a rich chocolate mousse, this easy (yet decadent) dinner will leave you feeling the love.

Recipes by Katie McCall

Thanks to dishes and prep that can be done ahead, this 5-course menu is doable and delicious while leaving you plenty of time to sit down and enjoy. What’s not to love about that?

Grapefruit + Basil Fizz

Ingredients 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

Bunch of fresh basil leaves, torn + additional leaves for garnish

1 grapefruit (ruby red makes a nice color)

1 bottle Prosecco

Ice cubes

Borage (or other Gardyn flowers), to Garnish

Instructions

MAKE-AHEAD: 

For the basil simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Once the mixture begins to bubble, add a handful of torn basil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain the leaves and refrigerate until mealtime.

 
TO SERVE: 

With a vegetable peeler or paring knife, peel several strips of the grapefruit rind and set aside. Slice the grapefruit in half and squeeze the juice through a strainer into a liquid measuring cup or small bowl. 

 

Pour the juice into two glasses. Add 1 tablespoon of the simple syrup to each glass and stir. Top off with Prosecco, a few ice cubes, a strip or two of grapefruit rind, and a basil leaf for garnish. 

Quick Herbed "Aioli" with Crudités

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 tbsp fresh herbs, chopped (we used basil, parsley, and thyme)

1/4 tsp salt

Few grinds of freshly ground black pepper

Assortment of favorite vegetables (such as celery, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, and carrots)

Instructions

MAKE-AHEAD:

To make the aioli combine the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until combined and refrigerate until serving.

 
TO SERVE:

Sprinkle fresh herbs over the aioli before serving. Assemble veggies on a platter and enjoy!

Mixed Greens Salad with Dijon-Chive Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp honey

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Salt and freshly ground black pepper; to taste

1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Water

1/2 cup Marcona almonds, chopped

3-4 cups assorted greens (lollo rossamatilda, red romaine, etc.)

 

Instructions:

MAKE AHEAD:

For the vinaigrette, combine the Dijon, vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chives in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until combined. Stir in a little water until you reach your desired consistency. Refrigerate until serving.

 
TO SERVE:

Pile greens in the center of two small plates, sprinkle with the almonds, and drizzle with vinaigrette. 

Creamy Vegan Cacio e Pepe

Ingredients

1 tbsp whole peppercorns

1/3 cup nutritional yeast

1/3 cup sunflower (or cashew) butter

1 tsp salt

1 clove fresh garlic, minced

8-10 oz spaghetti 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cups pasta water (saved from cooking)

1 lemon, juiced

Parsley, chopped

Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup Parmesan (or plant-based cheese)

Instructions:

TO MAKE:

Crush the peppercorns with the back of a knife. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the nutritional yeast, sunflower butter, salt, and garlic until a thick paste forms. Set aside. 

In a large pot of salted boiling water, add the pasta and cook until 2 minutes less than al dente (typically 8-9 minutes). Strain, reserving 2 cups of the pasta water (set aside).

In the same pot, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 2/3 of the crushed peppercorns. Cook until peppercorns become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sunflower butter paste and 1 1/2 cups of the reserved pasta water. Whisk until a smooth sauce begins to form. Add the lemon juice and cooked pasta. 

Reduce the heat to medium. Toss until noodles are glossy and coated in the sauce; cook an additional 2 minutes or so. Add more pasta water, if needed. Salt to taste. 

 

TO SERVE:

Spoon pasta into a serving dish, drizzle olive oil over top, squeeze some lemon juice, sprinkle chopped parsley and cheese. 

Vegan Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened, full-fat *canned* coconut milk or cream (Coconut cream/milk from the refrigerator section won’t whip up!)

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

6-8 strawberries, sliced 

Dark chocolate, to garnish

Gardyn Lavender, to garnish

Instructions

Refrigerate the coconut milk/cream overnight or place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. All brands are different, so be sure to use 1 cup of the thick, fatty part of the can’s contents; any liquid left in the can should not be used for this.

 
MAKE-AHEAD: 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl (or stand mixer with the whisk attachment), whisk the coconut milk/cream until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until well-combined and smooth. Divide mousse into two glass dishes; cover and refrigerate until serving.

 
TO SERVE: 

Remove mousses from the refrigerator. Top with sliced strawberries and a shaving of dark chocolate. 

Light some candles, put on your favorite playlist and enjoy a decadent dinner for two!

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Welcome Set

A variety of easy-growing Gardyner Favorites

Greens:

Arugula, Breen, Butterhead, Green Mustard,Kale, Monte Carlo, Red Mustard, Red Sails, Rouge D’hiver, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi

Fruits:

Cherry Tomatos, Jalapeños, Sweet Peppers

Herbs:

Cilantro, Mint, Sweet Thai Basil, Thyme

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Winter Wellness Starter Set

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Bok Choy
  • Breen
  • Bull’s Blood x 2
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Wheatgrass x 2

Herbs

  • Chervil
  • Cilantro
  • Holy Basil
  • Mint
  • Red Sorrel
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

FLowers

  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana

Treat Your Senses Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Hon Tsai Tai x 2
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Purple Kohlrabi
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Tatsoi
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Hon Tsai Tai x 2
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Purple Kohlrabi
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Tatsoi
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits & Veggies

  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Mini Cauliflower x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Mini Cauliflower x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos

FLOWERS

  • Snapdragon
  • Sunflower x 2

Gardyn Home Device 2.0

Gardyn Home Device 3.0

PLANT STARTER SET OPTIONS

RECOMMENDED

Breen, Kale, Basil, Butterhead (x2), Dill, Buttercrunch (x2), Green Mustard, Arugula

SUNNY BOUQUET

Sunflowers (x2), Viola (x3), Matilda, Dill, Purple Basil (x2), Tokyo Bekana

TASTE OF ITALY

Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Lollo Rossa, Endive Lettuce, Arugula, Romaine, Kale Lacinato, Mini Eggplant

FARM FRESH

Mini-Strawberries (x2), Chervil, Bok Choi, Red Sorrel, Chives, Matilda, Fiesta Gitana, Kale Lacinato, Chamomile

All options also include 20 Gardyner favorites:

  • Greens – Arugula, Butterhead, Kale, Swiss Chard + 7 more
  • Fruits – Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers
  • Herbs – Thyme, Cilantro, Mint and Thai Basil

All options also include 20 Gardyner favorites: Greens – Arugula, Butterhead, Kale, Swiss Chard + 7 more // Fruits – Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers // Herbs – Thyme, Cilantro, Mint and Thai Basil

Sunny Bouquet Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Tokyo Bekana
  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Tokyo Bekana

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Purple Basil x 2
  • Sweet Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Purple Basil x 2
  • Sweet Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

Flowers

Flowers

  • Sunflowers x 2
  • Viola x 3
  • Sunflowers x 2
  • Viola x 3

Taste of Italy Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Endive Lettuce
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Lollo Rossa
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Mustard
  • Romaine
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Endive Lettuce
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Lollo Rossa
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Mustard
  • Romaine
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Italian Parsely
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Italian Parsely
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini Eggplant
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini Eggplant
  • Sweet Peppers

Farm Fresh Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Bok Choi
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Sorrel
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula
  • Bok Choi
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Sorrel
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini-Strawberries x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini-Strawberries x 2
  • Sweet Peppers

FLowers

Flowers

  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana
  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana

Superfood Fresh Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula 
  • Breen 
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Monta Carlo
  • Purselane
  • Red Amaranth
  • Red mustard x 2
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass
  • Arugula 
  • Breen 
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Monta Carlo
  • Purselane
  • Red Amaranth
  • Red mustard x 2
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Wild Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Wild Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cape Gooseberry
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno

  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cape Gooseberry
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

Flowers

Flowers

  • Radio Calendula
  • Radio Calendula

Bounty of Greens Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen x 2
  • Buttercrunch x 2
  • Butterhead x 3
  • Green Mustard x 2
  • Kale x 2
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen x 2
  • Buttercrunch x 2
  • Butterhead x 3
  • Green Mustard x 2
  • Kale x 2
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos