Yummy Food

Dessert First! Blueberry Coconut Cake. A great way to use up those summer blueberries.

Marinated Grilled Veggies on top of a Marinated Grilled Portabella with a side of Beet Greens. Inspired by Jennifer at Veg*n Cooking.

Farmer's Market Stir Fry. Brown Rice, Beans (maybe Adzuki, I can't remember), Onions, Peppers, Garlic, Green Beans, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Black Pepper & Bragg's Liquid Aminos. I think that was it.

A Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus & Micro Greens wrap. Along with delicious Organic Watermelon, Homegrown Tomato (the stuff that didn't fit into the wrap) & Pine Nuts. A wonderfully refreshing Saturday afternoon after market lunch.

Heirloom Tomato Pizza (from Vegetarian Times pg. 78 & the cover). I made some changes to it of course. For the Garlic Pistou I used white beans in place of pine nuts. For the pizza I used white beans instead of the cheese it called for & I didn't have any Dill so I just used a little extra basil.

Broccoli with Garlic, White Beans, Tomatoes & Parm (from Vegetarian Times pg. 44). I also made this a little different. I didn't have Broccoli Raab so I used beautiful homegrown Broccoli from the Farmer's Market (and maters from MY garden) & I used Veg Parm.

Roasted Veggie Sammich (from Vegetarian Times pg. 36). Again... I altered the recipe, cause that's just how I am. I didn't use any eggplant (yuck!), red peppers, mushrooms, goat cheese (double yuck) or lettuce (mostly because those things were absent from my fridge). I made a Basic Hummus recipe. I split that in 1/2 & added Basil & Roasted Garlic to 1/2. That is what I put on the top & bottom of my Sourdough Roll. I roasted Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Onions & Green Peppers (with a little s & p) & that was my sandwich. It was very good.

Another Farmer's Market Stir Fry. Pretty much the same as the other one but with Corn & Fresh Water Chestnuts, which btw are WAY better then the canned ones. I think these might be Cranberry Beans.

Margherita Pizza with a Portabella Mushroom crust. Remember that GIANT Portabella? Well I marinated it & grilled it. Topped it with Tomatoes & Vegan Gourmet Mozzarella & threw it in the broiler for a little bit & topped it with fresh Basil. Kinda messy but very Yum Yum!

Farmer's Market Goodies & Garden Bounty

Today I went to a different Farmer's Market than I usually do. The one I normally go to is about 10 miles away but in a different county. The one I went to today is about 17 miles away & in my county. The reason why I went there was they have a CSA program & I wanted to check the place out for next year. It's a cute little place & there are even some Amish farmers there. Everyone was extremely nice. I'd say even nicer then the people at my usual market. Plus there is a food Co-Op 2 blocks away.

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So the question is: Do I like it enough to drive the extra distance? The drive there is nicer too. It's mostly back country roads whereas the drive to my usual Farmer's Market is city driving. And they are open Tuesday evenings so I could go after work. Hmmm...

From the Farmer's Market: Onions, Leeks, Carrots, Cantaloupe, Micro Greens, Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Chili Peppers, Poplano Peppers, Purple Pepper (?), Mystery Pepper (?), Jalapenos, Sweet Banana Peppers, Garlic & Black Berries

From the Co-Op: Oragnic Watermelon, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Tahini, Pine Nuts, Chai Tea, Fajita Seasining & Ground Cardamom

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Total: $63.

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Garden Bounty:





My Garden suffered another deer attack. Earlier this summer there was 1 deer. Now there are 4. Looks like maybe 1 mom & 3 babies. Needless to say... they really like the leaves of my green bean plants. AND... that 1 roma was the only one that wasn't eaten. The day before I had 5-6 hanging there almost ready.

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And.... we FINALLY got our computer back so stay tuned for a post on the food I've been consming the past 4 weeks.

Farmer's Market Goodies & Garden Bounty

Last week's goodies: Beech Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts, Corn on the Cob, Lots of Basil, Green Beans, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Green & Purple Figs, Sweet Cherries, Yellow Summer Squash, Zucchini, Heirloom Tomatoes & Potatoes. $57.

Today's goodies: Blackberries, Sweet Cherries, 8 Ball Zucchini, Purple Figs, Kohlrabi, Yellow Summer Squash, Beech Mushrooms, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Tomatillos, Green Pepper, Carrots & Garlic. Not pictured: Nectarines, 8 ears of Corn & Cumin & Habanero Pepper spice from the spice lady. $43.

1st Tomato. This lasted maybe 30 seconds before I cut it up & ate it!

MMM... Lunch.

Zucchini #1. I gave it to someone.

Zucchini #2 & #3. I gave 1 away & kept 1. I picked Zucchini #4 today. :)

New Blog

Since I am usually an unorganized person & tend to loose &/or misplace things VERY easily... I started a NEW BLOG.

Mostly for my own sanity but also to help anyone else out there.

Feel free to leave a comment (or comments) or whatever.

Now, I must head off the bed. Tomorrow is going to be a full but beautiful summer day.. starting off with picking peaches!

Goodnight!

Garden Update #7 (Mini Update)

Nasturtium


Squash Blossom

Tomato Hornworm. This guy gives me the heebie jeebies every time. Ick!

Farmer's Market Goodies

Peaches, Tomatoes, Beech Mushrooms (my favorite), Black Raspberries, Blackberries, Zucchini, Spinach, Corn (6 ears), Green Beans, Potatoes, Purple Ruffles Basil & Broccoli. Approx. $45.

Yesterday I froze 4 ears worth of kernals using this method & pesto I made using the purple basil. Toady I cooked some Anasazi Beans & Brown Rice to eat throughout the week. Tonight for dinner I made: Beans & Rice w/ Sauteed Mushrooms, Steamed Broccoli & Corn on the Cob. No photograph but it sure was good.

On the garden front...

Tomorrow & Tuesday I will be planting some Carrot, Pea, Radish, Beet, Swiss Chard, Lettuce & Spinach seeds for my fall garden. My Yellow Summer Squash plat broke (from wind I assume). It still had some roots attached so I re-planted it. Not sure how that's gonna go. I'm wondering if I should plant more seeds. My Zucchini squash is moving along nicely and I am super stoked about harvesting the 2 that are on there. The deer helped himself to the tops of my tomato plants. I finally have a large tomato turning red. I've been able to eat some of my cherry tomatoes this week. Last Tuesday (the 22nd) when I planted my Butternut Squash seeds I planted 8 in each hole, ya know, just in case some didn't germinate. Wouldn't you know it. All 8 of them have sprouted. It's gonna be a sad day when I have to pull the weaker ones. Last Thursday (the 24th) I planted some Cherry Tree seeds in pots & I am hoping they germinate. And tonight Jason & I were discussing having a watermelon & pumpkin patch next year!

Well.... that's all I've got!

Garden Update #6

Long post ahead. Mostly pictures.

A few things I've learned this summer:

1. I get seasonal depression in winter.
2. Corn is amazing (read on for more info).
3. Squash is also amazing (again, your gonna have to read more)
4. Tomato plants can get pretty tall.
5. Weeds are evil.

Baby Walnut Tree. For Jennifer. :)

California Wonder Peppers.

California Wonder Peppers.

Jalapenos 7.21.08. Or as my dad likes to say: Juh Lap Uh Nose.

Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The RHCP are the only pepper plant that hasn't been eaten. I don't have many buds on my pepper plants anymore so I dunno whats gonna happen after the peppers that are on there mature.

Early Girl Tomatoes. I just wish it would turn red already!

Better Boy Tomatoes.

Cherry Tomatoes. I have some orange ones!

Roma Tomatoes.

On the other side of one of my Cherry Tomato plants. I am not kneeling. I am standing up. I am 5'2".

Cilantro (planted from seed).

Nasturtiums. Granted I have tiny hands (& tiny feet) these leaves are still pretty big.

Purple Ruffles Basil.

Cauliflower.

Popcorn. Corn is amazing. It grows super fast & still grows well after having the tops eaten off. Now, whether it actually produces any ears is still unknown.

Peanuts. Please pardon the weeds.

Zucchini Squash. Growing like mad. Again with the weeds.

Squash is another amazing plant. It grows fast & is very prolific. If you have the space & want a lot of yield go with squash.

Todays excitement.....

Itty Bitty Zucchini.

Itty Bitty Summer Squash.

Today I finally planted my Butternut Squash so I'll have a nice fall harvest.

Till next time.....

Our Saturday Night

Viruses & Moles & Other Random Things

*I put up some lawn chairs around my garden & layed some of Jasons stinky work shirts on them (to give off the smell of human). Luckily nothing else has been eaten & some of the green beans are starting to sprout new leaves.

*My Zucchini plant is growing like crazy. Everyday there are 2 new leaves & the leaves also get bigger day by day. It's amazing.

*Summer just makes me all around happy.

*Now I'm having a mole problem in the garden. He has tracks everywhere. He killed one of my Nasturiums (although it looked kinda sad to begin with).

*Our comp. has a virus so I'm using the laptop right now. So... if there aren't any updates for awhile.. that's why.

*Summer still makes me happy & my tomatoes are getting huge. I also was able to harvest some basil & make pesto (I stuck it in the freezer so I can use it to help fend off my seasonal depression this winter).

*I went blueberry picking on Tuesday with my mom (no pictures) & not only am I gonna make (more) freezer jam... I hopefully will be able to make a blueberry tart.

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*Freezer jam is addicting & is taking over my freezer.

*Summer makes me so happy!

*Luckily I uploaded some food porn to Photobucket before the virus took over so I might be able to update from work. It just depends on if they've blocked Photobucket.

*I haven't had a banana since early June. I kinda gave them up (unoffically). When this cool chick gave up avocados I thought "Could I give up my daily banana?" Apparently I can because I haven't had one in over 30 days. And ya know what... I'm not really missing it. Of course it's because I have delicious freezer jam & toast for breakfast now. And this fall... local apples!!! ROCK!

*I don't have AC in my car. Well, it came with AC it just doesn't work. I haven't fixed it because, well, up until last weekend it was still nice out & I thought "Ok. I can do this." But this week...It's almost to the point where I feel sick to my stomach. It's not bad when I am driving. It's when I have to stop & sit there. I'm generally windows down person to begin with & usually just use my AC initially to blow out all the humidity. Today I thought I was gonna cry it was so hot.

*I used 11.429 gallons of gas & drove 351.6 miles in 2 weeks. That's 30.76 miles per gallon. And that even includes a 60 mile (round) trip up to Michigan to pick berries on July 4th.

*Summer still does make me happy.

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*And since you've made it this far...go here!

Sadness (Garden Update #5)

Today when I went to check the progress of my Garden I was greeted by udder sadness.

At first I noticed my big green pepper was laying on the ground. "Oh No!" I thought, "another one fell off." But as I got closer I noticed it had been bitten off. And then I looked around and noticed that some of my plants had been eaten by deer last night.

Green Beans... I'm not sure if these guys will make it.

Jalapeno Plant #1

Jalapeno Plant #2

Big Bertha Pepper

California Wonder Pepper. Luckily there are still Peppers on this plant.

Tobasco Plant. It was just starting to grow teeny tiny Tobascos too.

Popcorn

Wounded Soldiers: Big Bertha & 2 tiny Japalenos.

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On the plus side.... he/she didn't eat my Zucchini.

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I bought some bar soap tonight & I am gonna hang it near my garden & hopefully that'll keep the hungry deer away. Any other suggestions?

Vegan Freezer Jam takes over my Kitchen

What do you do when you pick 6ish pounds of berries & you want to be able to enjoy them all year round?

You make Freezer Jam of course. Above is Mixed Berry Jam, Raspberry Jam & Blackberry Jam. Not pictured is Cherry Jam. Freezer Jam is not cooked & can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year or in the fridge for 3 weeks. I've got just enough jam to make it through till next June when Strawberry season begins again. :)

What my breakfast looks like pretty much every morning. Ezekiel Bread Toasted with Earth Balance & Jam. This is the Strawberry Jam I made last month with the Fresh Picked Strawberries I got at the Farmer's Market.

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The recipe/directions are inside a box of Liquid Fruit Pectin. You can also make cooked jam but since you do not cook the freezer jam, I think it tastes better. It tastes like you just picked the berries, mashed them up & spread them on your bread. Delish!

Today's Goodies & Garden Update #4

From the Farmer's Market: Beets, Potatoes, Pickles, Arugula, Portabella Mushroom, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Baby Carrots, Avocados, Basil & Arrowroot Powder.

$32.25

From Kroger's: Tostadas, Organic Great Northern Beans, Organic Tri Bean Blend, Organic Black Beans, Dried Cranberry Beans & some Slivered Almonds.

$12.02

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Total: $44.27

And we're set for the week.

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And now.... The Garden...

Early Girl Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

Roma Tomatoes

Big Bertha Green Pepper

California Wonder Peppers

Jalapenos

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fooled You Peppers

Popcorn

Peanuts

Zucchini Squash

Green Beans

Myra

Myra is my parents dog. They've had her since I was in 8th grade. So about 12 years. She's about 13 yrs. old.

She had some problems earlier in the week with eating & throwing up, so my mom took her to the vet. They did some tests & an ultrasound & found that she had a enlarged spleen but they didn't see anything wrong with her liver.

They, the vet, want to do a biopsy of her liver. She will have to be sedated as they use a scope for this, it's a pretty complicated procedure & it costs $600.

My mom asked me what I would do. Would I have the procedure done? Would I just let her be comfortable & live her life?

It's hard to answer that because while I LOVE her to death & I want her to live forever, I also don't want her to suffer. What if there is nothing wrong with her liver? What if there is?

What would you do?

Chili in July?

Oh, heck yeah! Especially when it's Lentil Chili Nachos from Jennifer over at Veg*n Cooking. I didn't make mine as hot as she did but it still had some kick. I topped mine with some cheese sauce from this recipe, tomatoes, avocados & black olives. It was SO good & it's even better the next day as leftovers. Jennifer knows what she's doing, especially when it comes to delicious Mexican food.