Hot Chicks, Cool Celery

With temperatures in Brooklyn hitting record highs, Cindy, one of my chickens, gave me a look of both sorrow and disdain. "May as well toss me in the oven, I bet it would be cooler than this heat-locker of a coop... at least the kitchen is air conditioned!"

Of course she didn't actually say that, but she just about implied it with those kvetching eyes of hers. I do love a good roasted chicken, so I was tempted to take Cindy up on her offer however, it seemed pure madness to even consider turning the oven on during such a heat wave.

If only Cindy could cool down with the refreshing celery elixir Ben made with our Red Hook CSA celery greens. She would be a mighty cool chick kickn' back with a icy glass of this aromatic brew. Instead she'd just another hot chick rollin' around in the dirt wishing she understood the meaning of air-conditioning.

Red Hook Celery Brew

• 2 cups of celery leaves
• 1 gallon water
• ½ tablespoon celery seed
• 6-10 oz. agave syrup or twice as much sugar syrup
• Juice of 1-2 limes

1. Coarsely chop celery leaves
2. Add leaves and seeds to water in stock pot and boil for 10-15 minutes
3. Let cool and strain into gallon jar
4. Add sweetener and lime juice
5. Server over ice in a collins glass