sproutations, indoor garden update

some of the seedlings’ that have sprouted

We have an abundance of containers so I made mini green houses.    I probably could have just used the covers, but I cut out the centers of the covers with scissors, covered the containers with clear plastic wrap, and replaced the cover, now just a rim, and placed them in a warm place. I didn’t need to even water the moist jiffy peat pots. Once the compressed peat pot are reconstituted, just squeeze out the excess water so they are just fully saturated, then seed each one. (The first batch I overwatered) you’ll notice water droplets due to the humid environment of the mini greenhouse.

Over the top console of the stove maintains about 75 degrees or better if your cooking or baking due to the oven vent below the console and the stove uses standing pilots (natural gas stove). Light is provided by the hood light. Poof ! germination  When the seeding height hits the top of the clear wrap, uncover. So far so good ! mostly everything has germinated some slower that others.

Garden thoughts

garden lasagna

        from the Garden Lasagna

       peel, slice, salt and let drain the eggplant,

roast on a baking sheet till some what limp

set aside for assembly

• sauté an amount of  garlic in a saucepan with oil

season with salt & pepper, add flour and more oil if needed and  cook like a roux

add milk, I guess about 1/2 cup

more  stock than milk,

several slices of American cheese

cook slightly to reach a boil,

temper in two eggs,

simmer, should be  pretty thick and rich to compliment the

vegetables and  enough for a 13×9 size lasagna

• add about several tablespoons of tomato paste, heat through, remove from heat, set aside. Since the stock is rich, a slight salt and pepper is all I use, oops, and  a wicked small amount of smoked hot red pepper flakes, no more than a pinch, you want the flavors of the veggies up front.

make wide pasta noodles, I like noodles between each vegetable so I go down to #2 setting.

I don’t fuss, mix about 1 cup flour and 1 egg in the kitchen aid with the beater, add a bit of water till it’s almost together.

no waiting either, right to the pasta machine. I made the pasta on demand, it ended up being 2 batches

  boil, drain, trim as necessary, dry on kitchen towel                                           spread sauce on bottom of the pan

start assembly

•   noodles
• fresh sliced tomato
• noodles
• roasted eggplant
• noodles
• raw sliced green peppers for crunch

repeat

use a small amount of sauce with each layer

top with fresh herbs

last, cover with noodles

and sauce

mmmmmmmmmmmmm…. now were talking lasagna ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

off to a 325 oven, bring it up slowly till slightly bubbly

I don’t know about 1/2 hour or more

if you made the sauce at the right consistency, it won’t be really bubbly or bubble over

of course give it time to rest before serving

I hit the mark with this one, I could cut a piece from the pan and pick it up with my hand without it falling apart.

the simplicity and freshness of the flavors are apparent.

Now, to food bloggers who post REAL pictures of their food and kitchen my salute !!!!

yardwork and garden

Roasted Tomatoes

A recipe for your fresh picked garden tomatoes

An easy way to add flavor and a different way to cook tomatoes for many uses.

Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange on a oven proof pan etc.

Top with Garlic and herbs, here, fresh oregano and sage.

Drizzle some oil (olive oil preferred) over them and a bit of salt and pepper and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 or so. 

 (you can eat them as is without roasting as I did, saving some for roasting) MMMMMMMMMMM……

After roasting you can eat as is, on bread , toast, or with pasta, that’s just a start.

Dice them, put in a bowl, for savory tomato sauce.  Add other ingredients, onion, pepper etc for the freshest tasting salsa you’ve ever eaten !!!

garden august 2011

garden update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

garden update

“HEY ! I GOT TO EAT TOO!”
I know but I found 2 garden toads out there this year, Good Luck!

Update 06/25/2011

Early pickings from the garden

one of the onion plantings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprouts

02/20-02/27 planting progress

cauliflower
tomato
onions
peppers (green)
brussel sprouts
_______________
sage
oregano
caraway
thyme
dill

Update : being an amateur gardener most sprouts did not survive in my homemade seed starter, I have started new cauliflower tomato onions peppers (green) brussel sprouts with better results.

Will replant some more herbs later. Some onions and shallots and garlic have been direct planted in the garden some have sprouted up. I should get some beans planted asap.

grilled pizza

diced cooked chicken thighs, garden fresh picked oregano, chopped garlic, fresh peeled tomatoe, grated pecarino romano, roasted white onions, olive oil…grilled on a gas grille.