Eating our way through week 3/12/12
St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. In the garden, that is!! Spring like weather is very early this year and I couldn't be happier about that! The hellebores, daffodils and pansies keep a watchful eye on me as I start the spring cleaning in the garden. The cauliflower, bok choy, mustard greens, collards, brussel sprouts, kale, beets, and swiss chard tenderlings are planted. The peas, beans and letuces seeds are sown. The mulching has been started and the debris clean up is half finished. Pictures of our gardens from last year:
It is misty today so I think we will catch up on computer time.
Our WoWs of the week - we finally have a website, again! I enrolled in a website design class at our local community college in the mid '90's when I owned an herb business called Herbal Heaven. In 1993 it was only educational based classes; enlightening the public on the use of herbs through growing, harvesting, cooking, crafts and natural body care products, in my home. The attendance grew quickly and in 15 months time I had enough customer base to open a herb shop. The business lasted for 6 years. I made many, many fabulous friends and met a lot of wonderful people, enjoyed experiences I would never have dreamed about. With the added benefit of my mom and daughter in tow.
So, this is my third website since then. It took a day's time but was worth it. It makes life so much simplier for you because everything is in one spot. Tell me what you think, please theherbalpeasant.com
Another WoW (as in finally), pretty cool looking business cards were ordered. Pictures of herbs and spices are on the cards. Below are pics:
FYI - pics of The Herbal Peasant classroom, we are located in
Wernersville, Berks County PA:
The classroom overlooks our peaceful and serene gardens as pictured above.
It is a herbal class week. We make an entree, side and a dessert and create a natural body care project and a craft - all using herbs, of course!
This week's menu: Crispy Eggplant Hoagies, Duchess Cauliflower and an Apple Blueberry Galette. Lavender Lotion and Eye Soothing Pillow.
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| To make a wasabi spread; mash cannellini beans, water and wasabi powder. |
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| Saute peppers, onions and garlic. |
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| Beat an egg or for vegans dip into a little olive oil. On a separate dish add almond meal, gluten free flour, or bread crumbs, add a dash of oregano and a pinch of basil. |
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| Give a quick saute, 30 seconds each side, to the eggplant, drain on paper towels while you start to build your sandwich. To a whole grain roll, we used millet, add the wasabi spread, a layer of greens and the eggplant. |
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| You can see the difference between the almond meal on the left and the gf flour on the right. |
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| Add the sauteed veggies. A sandwich fit for a healthy appetite; grains, protein, fiber, and veggies = antioxident boost. |
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| For the Duchess Cauliflower start with steamimg or simmering cauliflower until very soft. |
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| Add cheese, we used Daiya - great for vegans, chives, oregano and turmeric = anti-inflammatory. |
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| Shape into mounds or nests. |
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| Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. |
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| Fill with sauteed veggies. |
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| Decorate with greens and tomatoes. |
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| Apple Blueberry Galette: Peel apples (we love the peels but for this dessert peeling is better - don't waste - have a snack), remove seeds, thinly slice. For the crust we used: GF all purpose flour, raw sugar, baking soda, baking powder xanthan gum, orange zest, cinnamon, coconut oil, oat milk, vinegar and flax egg sub. Form into a crust. Pile the apples onto the dough, leaving the edges free of apples. Fold the crust onto the apples but keep the middle open. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. |
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| Top with blueberries, add a fresh sprig of mint and a viola from your spring garden. |
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| Lavender Lotion: we used fresh aloe leaves, remove the pulp and set aside, leaves go into the composter. |
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| This is from one leaf. |
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| When using fresh aloe the gel is really sticky and firm. It must be heated to break it down to use in a lotion. In the pan towards the front notice how it foams. The pan in the back is the result of a couple minutes exposed to heat. |
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| We added a little melted coconut oil for its added skin softening quality. Allow to cool and add lavender essential oil. |
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| On to the Eye Soothing Pillow: fill a ziplock bag half way with any small grain or as we used, split peas. |
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| To a muslin bag add your favorite fragrant herbs. We used peppermint, lavender and lemon verbena. |
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| Unless you love to sew, use a napkin or tea towel for the pillow. Place the 2 bags in the middle. |
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| Fold one of the long ends over the middle, fold the opposite end over the middle and tuck under the excess material. |
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| Add ribbon to each end to secure bags. |
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| Try on for size :) |
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| Finished project. Quick, useful, soothing and fragrant. |
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Proof we can set up a kitchen anywhere! This is at The African Shop in Sinking Spring, next to the JOY bookstore. Angie, the owner, supplied the tables and chairs, we bring the rest.
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Peace and health, my friends. Until next week...
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