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~Enter The Garden~ |
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“I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet”
You know, there’s Farmville and then there’s farming, or
gardening to be precise. Growing a vegetable garden is
obviously the “greenest” thing you can do. Whether it’s a
plot of land or a pot on a windowsill, cultivating the soil
to produce sustenance is a human ability. (There’s a good
argument for vegetarians.)
My Italian heritage predisposes me to vegetable gardening.
I mean, Italians and gardens, come on! Putting food on your
table from your own back yard is gratifying in so many
ways. It costs practically nothing, it’s healthy and
organic, it’s spiritually and psychologically fulfilling and
it’s green. Then there’s all the media hype about the
Mediterranean Diet, much of which comes from a vegetable
garden, and to me is only “home style” cooking anyway.
The spiritual and psychological aspect of gardening is more
powerful than you may think. First of all you feel self
sufficient, which is a great feeling. Then the sensuality
of the garden takes over. There is nothing quite like the
fragrance of herbs commingling with each other. It’s a
delicious, heady and stimulating aroma. It conjures images
of comforting, bountiful meals and yet you feel satisfied
without even eating a bite!
There’s also the physical reward you get from gardening.
The bending, the reaching, the squatting. I find myself in
yoga poses, (think “downward dog”), as I’m stretching to
pull weeds between the tomatoes and the peppers. Tilling
the soil is a strenuous task that can be quite a workout.
My garden has added a new dimension to my marriage as
well. The hubby and I share the workload, although he
refuses to pull a weed, he does pick the blueberries. It
may be a few months out of the year, but with an almost
empty nest, it’s something to do together and it sure as
hell beats getting a dog.
And then there’s that “roll in the herbs” when YOU
“Make the Earth Move”!
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It's Flavor~Bomb Time! |
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Pesto sauce
originated in Genoa, Italy. The name comes from the Italian
word pesta, meaning "to pound or crush," as with a
pestle. Pestos can be made from any combination of
herbs. I love using sage, parsley, shallots,
and almonds. How about Flavor~Bombs made from
sauce and soup reductions? For more info, visit
www.flavorbombs.net |
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Tales of the Raw and the Cooked |
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RAW FORK... |
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While preparing chicken
cutlets, or other raw meats, I always use two forks -- one
for the raw and one for the cooked. My “raw fork” is for
prepping and turning. Once your food is fully cooked, use a
fresh fork to remove it from the pan. This prevents the “raw
fork” from contaminating the cooked food. So…be sure to
keep that “raw fork” where it belongs, with your raw
chicken, pork, or beef, and keep your “cooked” fork by the
stove. |
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OOOOH THAT SMELL… |
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When making meatballs or
meatloaf, you obviously shouldn’t taste the raw mixture.
When combining ingredients, get to know the scent you’re
looking for. Don’t be heavy-handed, because there’s no
turning-back. I gradually add little more grated cheese,
parsley, garlic or pepper until it smells just right. Let
you nose guide you toward your finished dish. |
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SIZE DOES MATTER... |
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Here’s how to handle those big honkin’ zucchinis. Chop
zucchini into wedges. Microwave covered, 3 minutes (with a
splash of water) until slightly tender. Saute w/ onion and
garlic in xvo oil long enough to get (a little) color. Add
whole canned tomatoes (squish in with hands), DO NOT ADD
JUICE FROM CAN.
Add a~ FLAVOR BOMB ~(above) and plenty of fresh basil. Salt
& pepper. Simmer approx. 20 mins.
GRAB THE BREAD!!... |
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