Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Reclaimed Wooden Frame

 My father was given 3 daughters. Although he loves us all, I often feel it to be my duty to pretend to be his 'son for the day'. This past weekend we sorted though old wood in the backyard and ended up finding some wood perfect for some frames. My father taught me how to use an electric saw, sander and drill. The sander was definitely my favorite. By the end of the afternoon, we had put together a Shabby Chic/Beachy style earring and necklace hanger in my bedroom. I used some left over wire mest and spray painted it gold. It was easily stapled to the back of the frame. I couldn't believe how beautiful the weathered wood looked after being sanded. Material cost was $0.00! It ended up being a fun day, with not only a more organized display of jewelry but it felt rewarding to turn old wood into something beautiful!

Rainbow Chard Wraps in the Ayurvedic Vegan Kitchen

For my birthday I was given my first Ayurvedic Cookbook, which actually was the first Vegan and Ayruvedic Cookbook published. I was able to go and see the author Talya Lutzker speek about her book at the Capitola Book Cafe. It was very inspiring to hear her testimony and sample a few of the recipes featured in her book.

The first recipe I decided to try from the book, titled as Green Collard Wraps quickly turned into Rainbow Chard Wraps when I brought home Rainbow Chard my mistake. These nutrient packed wraps turned out delicious, featuring sweet potatoes and spicy homegrown mustard greens and several spices. I made a Tahini dressing, also featured in the book, to dip the wraps in. A few weeks later I made then again, except this time using Collard green, which do wrap up much nicer due to their thicker leaves and rounder and larger shape. 

Friday, May 3, 2013

Apple Tarte

 In my parents back yard is a small and very old apple tree. After many taste tests we have all concluded that it must be a golden delicious. The apple are always very small but extremely tasty. Often containing a worm or two, but with careful slicing they have been enjoyed raw or in baked dishes. Currently feeling worn out on apply pie I decided to try an apple based dessert with a little more excitement and flavor profile. I remembered this pear rosemary phyllo dough dessert I had on my 21st birthday at a wine pairing I went to with my friend. I remember it being simple, only a handful of ingredients and light but full of delicious flavor.
 Ingredients: Fresh apples, rosemary and local honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and philo dough.
Directions: slice apples thinly removing seeds and clean fresh rosemary and remove it from stem. Layer ingrediens on large baking sheet, phyllo dough, apples, rosemary, honey, spices, repeat!
 Once all ingredients have been layered stick it in the oven at 325 and bake until top is golden brown and crispy and apple begin to shrivel.
Slice into large squares and serve. Enjoy with sweet dessert wine, homemade whipped cream or tea!

Light Wheat Bread & A Garden

I found an amazing and EASY Light Wheat Bread recipe on Smitten Kitchen-(http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/01/light-wheat-bread/), my favorite online source for recipes and cooking inspiration. This bread used a combination of white bread flour and of whole wheat flour. With the addition of a little honey it had a wholesome and sweet flavor and didn't last long. I love homemade bread, typically I enjoy it with an egg on top or toasted and dipped in my coffee! 




 First Garden Salad of the season featured argula blossoms, mustard greens, fennel and sunflower sprouts. I decided to keep it simple and let the spicy greens dominate the salad, dressed in lemon, pepper, salt with thinly sliced fennel bulb and argula blossoms lightly sauteed in olive oil. Delicious!




 My hop plant has sprouted and is nearly an inch tall. I burried the rhizome about a month ago and with persistsent watering and patience it has finially broke the surface!





Snap peas are hand down my favorite plant to grow in my garden. This is the first year I have ventured to grow nearly everything (minus the tomatoes  which i kindly was given from a friend with connections to Love Apple Farms heirloom tomato starts). These little guys are getting me pretty excited and are measuring in at about 2 inches!