Lumbering Along

... slow and methodically.

Fall is creeping into the North Woods.  Our garden has only had one light frost .. just enough to wipe out the cucumber plants and damage the basil.  We've still got young lettuce plants, green onions, tomatillos, herbs, strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes clinging to the vine.

Our first crop of grapes gave us juicy sweet globes of goodness.  Black currents and a mix of berries were turned into juice concentrate to enjoy this winter with a splash of sparkling water.  Two half gallons of sour cherries are soaking in brandy, sugar and vanilla beans making a wonderful 'Cherry Bounce' liquor for winter ailments, and for sipping around the wood stove on cold, snowy nights.  I've been checking on it quite regularly .. ahem!

Apples were halfway harvested in late September and have been eaten, turned into apple pie, sauced ... with the remaining half of the crop still clinging to the trees turning sweeter and juicier with each passing autumn day.  Soon they will all be picked and some stored away for winter.  Our local wild turkeys enjoyed the bottom limbs of the trees eating leaves and fruit.  We did not spray or treat the trees this year .. and not one apple maggot or scab has been found!

Question to any of you that grow horseradish:  "Our's is hot for only one or two minutes after grating fresh.  Any tips for keeping the heat would be appreciated."

The compost bin is squirming with earth worms .. 

Wasps were not a nuisance this year.

Summer is a wrap ... onward into Autumn splendor!

The Lewis & Clark Cookbook ~ A Book Review (Rave)

We are enjoying the bounty of mixed greens from the garden .. including edible weeds (lambs quarter).

 Today's harvest was turned into cream of sorrel soup and a lovely mixed green salad .. accompanied with chicken patties (similar to crab cakes).

The Youngin' ate four plates of salad .. he's still a growing teen.

The soup recipe came from this book, The Lewis & Clark Cookbook .. picked up yesterday at a neighbor's garage sale for 25 cents.  Ha, if you look at the price on Amazon at over $3,000 .. one might think I got a great bargain.  Someone either made a mistake .. or just doesn't want to part with the cookbook.  Ebay sells it for about $12.    The book contains historic recipes from the Corps of Discovery & Thomas Jefferson.  First published in 2002, the book is delightfully woven with hand penned notes written by Lewis and Clark.  Wouldn't it be fun to host a meal and use just this cookbook?

Sunday ~ the clouds roll in and out.  Right now it's clouding up and wanting to storm.  Yesterday there was a break from the rain .. and the neighborhood was abuzz with lawn mowers.  Today the Mr. is trimming.

Time to scoot and clean up the kitchen.  Then I'll put on a nice old fashioned movie .. boy meets girl .. prairie romance.  

What's up in your world?

Weekend Reads ... And Thinking Outside The (Cereal) Box

In the ongoing gut healing process, after eliminating 95% of our grains, one has to think differently about the 'champion of breakfast' choice of food. Today's fancy was in the form of a quickly assembled Italian style STOUP (Rachel Ray's slang for thinner than stew ~ thicker than soup meal).  With the garden producing cool weather crops .. spinach, bok choy, kale, herbs .. the dish was easy to assemble.  On hand in the freezer I keep cooked chicken meat packed in broth and jars of chicken broth as fast food.  If you're going to eat soup for breakfast .. just set out the frozen items before bed.

Our forage into the garden produced beautiful yields of vitamin/mineral/enzyme rich goods.  One secret to help keep the enzymes active is to add them at the end of the short cooking process .. leaving them somewhat tender~crispy.  Remember .. the meat has already been cooked.

To a large stock pot I added the thawed chicken meat and broth, bringing both to a slight simmer.   Carrots were added to give a little extra cooking time.  Mineral rich sea salt and pepper were added .. then half of the freshly picked/chopped herbs and some freshly pressed garlic.  A cup of leftover cooked brown rice was added .. then the chopped fresh greens (spinach, bok choy, kale, etc.) with a brief simmer of 1-2 minutes max.  Before serving I tossed in the rest of the chopped herbs and topped each serving bowl with a squeeze of myer lemon juice.  The chicken meat and little bit of rice made the meal satisfying and filling.  Gelatin rich chicken broth can resurrect the dead!

Measurements ... not an exact science .. perhaps 1 cup of chicken meat and 6-8 cups of stock.  1-1/2 quarts of chopped greens .. salt/pepper to taste.  1/2 cup of diced herbs such a dill, thyme, common oregano (mild), marjoram), 1 cup of cooked brown rice ... splash of fresh lemon juice .. a piece of peel for the pot .. 2 cloves of garlic.

Soup for breakfast ... now we're talking!

What's your favorite non modern-traditional breakfast food?

Weekend reads:

Foodcyclist.com ( cooking with chicken liver, heads and feet and the many health benefits) .. oh, my!

Getting A Real Education ~ Rural Revolution

16 Things That affect Your Gut Bacteria/Marks Daily Apple

Horseradish .. Use 'er Up

It's late spring in the North Woods.  Not quite full swing in the garden, but there are nibbles here and there that can be put to good use.  Tonight I'm making another soup that includes an invasive 'weed' ... otherwise known as horseradish; you either LOVE it or HATE it.  We happen to LURVE it with a passion!  (Garden tip ~ keep it in a designated area and you will be blessed.)

Here are a few tips for using horseradish.  Add:

• a little to homemade mayo
• to cream of broccoli or mushroom soup
• mix with sour cream or plain whipped cream as relish/sauce for roast beef
• mix with sour cream as a topping for baked potatoes
• mix mayo, mustard and a little horseradish for a yummy sandwich spread

Do you have a favorite use for horseradish?