~~Cioppino~~

Seafood stew that I first discovered in San Francisco!

I made this today!

~~Heirloom~~

My first!

~~Garden Update~~

I haven't written much lately, but that doesn't mean that much hasn't been happening in the garden. If you can't find something every day to pick and fix for dinner, you aren't looking!! The garden is producing an abundance of herbs, tomatoes and peppers. In addition, three or four cucumbers have sprouted and its vines are taking over the rose bush!

Here is a wonderful recipe for a salad I just made. Don't concern yourself about measuring anything. Just add until it feels right, looks right and tastes fabulous!

- Pear tomatoes (from the garden), halved
- Avocado, cut in chunks
- Fontina cheese, cut in chunks
- Mild pepper (from the garden), diced
- Basil (from the garden)
- Vinaigrette dressing (Newman's Own Light)
- Coarse salt and pepper

One of the most fun parts about growing a garden is getting to be creative based on what is available on that day.

A garden in Phoenix? Never say "never," and never say "can't!"

New Adds

This weekend I moved a hummingbird feeder to the garden, as I noticed a few hanging out there.

Hummingbirds can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, even upside down.

Hummers have a fast breathing rate, a fast heartbeat, and a high body temperature. They must feed every 10 minutes or so all day, and they may consume 2/3 of their body weight in a single day.A major part of a hummingbird's diet is sugar. They get it from flower nectar and tree sap.

We found a hummingbird nest with momma doing her nesting duties. Only females tend to nests of hummers, but doves share the joy.

Other critters like to play near the garden-- Tigger, the tabby and Tater, the puggle.

I cut a bunch of cilantro, also. Cilantro is a kind of parsley. I use scissors to cut it generously into Mexican or Asian recipes. I also use it in guacamole, omelets, chicken dishes and soups and salads.

Guacamole Recipe
2 soft-ish avocados
fresh lime--from the garden
coarse salt
small tomato--from the garden
garlic
cilantro--from the garden

Simply peel and pit the avocados. Mash them up--chunky or smooth. Add garlic, salt and cilantro to taste. I also like to add freshly chopped jalapeno...from the garden, of course. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and fold in the small tomato. Serve...with EVERYTHING.

By the way, avocados are "good" fat and guilt-free.

Watching the Garden Grow

The garden is doing amazingly well. The cucumber and cantaloupe plants sprouted overnight several days ago. Pretty cool.

I have already used the thyme, basil and rosemary in recipes.

Last night I made Lemon/Thyme Cornish game hens. The recipe is simple. Thaw your hens and bend the wings back and under the birds. Salt (use coarse salt) and pepper (fresh cracked is best) the birds inside and out. Cut fresh thyme and put a "bunch" inside the bird with a generous wedge of fresh lemon. (We stole the lemon from a neighbor's tree.) Bake your birds at 350 degrees for 1:15 minutes.

I served them with a very-well cooked yam. YUM.

You can use basil in virtually everything, but you can't beat a fresh Caprice salad. Get the freshest tomatoes and best mozzarella you can find. Cut both into slices about 1/4" thick. Alternate tomato and cheese slices on a plate. Drizzle with rich olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Snip basil generously over the entire plate. Be VERY generous!

Again, use coarse salt and pepper to taste.

Garden = stress reduction + joy + pleasure + adventure + nutrition + great meals!