and Recipe Corner
Starting alliums from seed tends to mark the beginning of the beginning of the new garden season for me. This is because I start the first of my seeds this time of year, and typically the very first seeds I start are alliums. Today was no exception to that rule. I started onions, shallots and leeks, along with some Coreopsis,… View Post
aka: Pollo Giallo Pasta à la Boel Tomato season is in full swing, sometimes it feels like all I want to make is yummy tomato salsa or tomato salads. Today I felt like trying something new, and decided to make use of only yellow tomatoes for this chicken pasta. To achieve the flavor I was after, it really is crucial… View Post
Basil thrives in Earthboxes. I grow it from seed, starting it indoors on a heatmat, then raising the seedlings under lights until they are ready to go outdoors. Be careful not to set them outside too early, basil does not like cold weather. Above is a photo I just took today of my basil. There are six plants in this… View Post
I like growing my leeks from seed, and I tend to start them about the same time that I start onion and shallot seeds, right about the beginning of February for me here in the Oregon Willamette Valley. You will need to check your proper time of starting the seeds in your area. Much like I do with onions, I… View Post
I have been meeting a lot of people who tell me they don’t really care for eggplant. I used to say the same thing, until I started growing them and experimenting with different ways to cook them. I have gone from someone who did not like eggplant, to someone who just loves them. This grilled eggplant sandwich is easy to… View Post
A fresh uncooked pasta sauce This is the height of tomato season where I live, and this is a great way to make use of the abundant harvest. Use organic ingredients whenever possible If you grow your own tomatoes, use homegrown of varying colors. Otherwise, try to get organic heirloom tomatoes from a farmers market. The quality of tomato really… View Post
In the image above, this was served with “Green Potatoes” and “Tomato Salad with Black Sesame Seeds”. This pan fried salmon is very delicious, and quick and easy to make. If you are short on time, this is a great choice. Sauce: 1 Tbs Shoyu 1 Tbs Rice Vinegar 1 Tbs Sesame Oil 1 tsp Pomegranate Syrup Lemon In frying… View Post
Fermented brine pickles are wonderful, tasty and require no heat treatment! To make your Pickle Brine: Minimum 2.5 FLAT tablespoons of salt per QUART of water Maximum of 3 FLAT tablespoons of salt per QUART of water [Recommended Jars are 2 quarts each] ================================================= or use this Metric Recipe: 12 very slightly rounded tablespoons salt (185 grams/6.5 ounces) per 5… View Post
This is a fast and very tasty, healthy gluten free meal. Salt and ground pepper (I like using pink “Real Salt” from Utah, which has a wonderful mellow yet rich flavor) 1 pound Fusilli rice pasta (I use Trader Joe’s Organic) broccoli florets (small pieces) extra-virgin olive oil 4-5 garlic cloves, chopped 1-2 shallots, chopped 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes fresh oregano fresh… View Post
We are in transition, just removed an Arbor Vitae hedge, and planted Privet instead. The privets will be marvelous for the bees and other pollinators, and also serve as a privacy hedge. While the privets are small, I decided to grow Morning Glory and other climbing flowers behind the privets. It worked out so nicely, I will miss this a… View Post
Pollinator Heaven. Pollinators CHERISH dill, when in bloom. The flowers are too small for European honey bees, but countless wild bees which tend to be quite small absolutely LOVE dill. You’ll see clouds of them around dill. Beneficial wasps, and ladybugs, both of which prey on garden pests,also treasure dill. Since dill readily self-seeds, I just let it be wherever… View Post
This year was my first time to encounter potato plants that have formed small green fruits. I was quite surprised when I saw them, and called my husband over to ask him if he had ever seen such a thing (the answer was no, he had not). After a little bit of research online I found that this actually is… View Post