What to do with all that Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Here in Austin, it thrives almost year-round and is the last of the leafy greens to die when the summer kicks in in full force. The rainbow and red varieties are also highly ornamental and are ideal for edible landscapes. Still, some people don’t quite know how to use it in the kitchen! With all More
I had never grown artichokes before, so the whole process was new this year. Even though I planted last year, the plant never reached maturity until this spring. It grew huge and beautiful, and at one point there were 12 artichokes on it! I was eager to try new recipes with them, inspired by a Facebook posting from my friend and fellow writer Kristi Willis More
Mima’s Recipes ~ tortitas de coliflor
The last of the garden cauliflowers was on the menu last night. Because I picked it a bit late, it was not a pretty white head but a scraggly thing with light green stems. Who cares what it looks like, I thought – it is still a cauliflower. So I decided to use it in an inexpensive, nutritious and delicious classic of Mexican home cooking More
Spring in the garden show-and-tell
Spring sprung in the garden early this year, thanks to an incredibly mild winter and all the glorious rain we’ve enjoyed lately in Central Texas. Things are looking good – with a few minor setbacks. This weekend we plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplant- a bit late because of SXSW.
Late winter in the garden and table
Austin weather…what can we say? One day it’s 75 degrees and sunny, the next it’s snowing. The plants are so confused, and gardeners start getting spring fevered a bit too early. Last weekend at the Natural Gardener I saw people buying tomato seedlings! Me, I am patient. My tomatoes never go in the ground until at least St. Patrick’s Day. But Valentine’s Day is another More
Yesterday was the first day of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. I have enjoyed cooking special foods for this holiday for the last couple of years, and this year I was more excited to cook last night’s fortuitous dinner even more than before. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, my sign, considered the most powerful and More
Juice Fast, Day 10: Resolutions part II
Today is the last day of my first ever 10-day juice fast. To say it was easy would be absolute bull: the first five days were so hard, and a true test of my resolve. Most people that know me already are aware that if you dare me to do something, it is likely I will do it. So I did. Today, my main man More
Juice Fast, Day 9: The “Media Event at Uchiko” Challenge
I ended up not making my juice last night. Had plenty of juice to go all day since I got a half gallon of my Vampiro and half gallon of Love Cleanse earlier in the day. I ended up making a “house blend” of 1/3 Love Cleanse to 2/3 Vampiro. For extra effect, I rimmed a pint glass with lime and sea salt and drank More
Juice Fast, Day 8: The Continental Club Challenge!
I think I spoke too soon about the allergies. Saturday, Day 6 of the juice fast, was a loooong, miserable day. I tried to get myself busy with the myriad things that are always pending around the house, and managed to spend a good couple of hours cleaning the garden beds to plant the garden next weekend. We also got some needed shopping done, and More
Juice Fast, Day 5: Halfway there!
Just so you get an idea of what I am consuming, the above drink, Tree of Life, contains 2 lbs carrots, 1 finger fresh turmeic root, 1 finger ginger, one full coconut, 1/2 lime and 1/8 tsp cayenne. That’s what I’m having for dinner tonight. Just as I was picking up my juice this afternoon, I got a call from Matt just to check how More
Swiss chard is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Here in Austin, it thrives almost year-round and is the last of the leafy greens to die when the summer kicks in in full force. The rainbow and red varieties are also highly ornamental and are ideal for edible landscapes. Still, some people don’t quite know how to use it in the kitchen! With all More
I had never grown artichokes before, so the whole process was new this year. Even though I planted last year, the plant never reached maturity until this spring. It grew huge and beautiful, and at one point there were 12 artichokes on it! I was eager to try new recipes with them, inspired by a Facebook posting from my friend and fellow writer Kristi Willis More
The last of the garden cauliflowers was on the menu last night. Because I picked it a bit late, it was not a pretty white head but a scraggly thing with light green stems. Who cares what it looks like, I thought – it is still a cauliflower. So I decided to use it in an inexpensive, nutritious and delicious classic of Mexican home cooking More
Spring sprung in the garden early this year, thanks to an incredibly mild winter and all the glorious rain we’ve enjoyed lately in Central Texas. Things are looking good – with a few minor setbacks. This weekend we plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplant- a bit late because of SXSW.
Austin weather…what can we say? One day it’s 75 degrees and sunny, the next it’s snowing. The plants are so confused, and gardeners start getting spring fevered a bit too early. Last weekend at the Natural Gardener I saw people buying tomato seedlings! Me, I am patient. My tomatoes never go in the ground until at least St. Patrick’s Day. But Valentine’s Day is another More