Cabbage is one of those “cool weather” crops that has stymied me for a while. Being in zone 9 means that one has to take advantage of the fall season, just when you think you get to take a break from your summer garden, if you want to have success with these kinds of crops.
Continue reading Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
I have spotted my neighbor on many occasions scanning his perfect front lawn and plucking out any offending non-grass plants that dared set root. That’s not us.
Continue reading What’s in My Lawn? (Not Grass)
I was once complimented on my grape leaf rolling skills by an older lady at our church. This was a woman that prepared pans full of perfectly rolled bundles, and made sure everyone saw how good hers were. I was flattered!
Continue reading Dolmades (Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice & Herbs)
You know, a recipe typically calls for 1 to 2 bay leaves. Then you do another dish, and another. Those leaves start to add up. They aren’t cheap. Growing your own is.
Continue reading Laurus nobilis (Grecian Laurel or Sweet Bay)
I disappeared once when I was about three. My parents frantically searched the house looking for me, only to find me in the garden… eating all the peas.
Continue reading Peas (Pisum sativum)
I just came home from a week long camping trip vacation. What was supposed to be a week long camping trip. What was supposed to be a vacation. Supposed to be.
Continue reading Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
There are a few things that can be used to preserve food: salt, sugar, and dehydration. And booze. Ohhh yeah.
Continue reading Greek Sour Cherry Brandy
The day starts off just fine. The skies are blue, the air is clear. Give it a few hours.
Continue reading Life in the Bowl
I have come to realize that so many of the foods I was **ahem** “not fond of” were ones that started with less than fresh ingredients. Count dolmades, a Greek delicacy made with grape leaves, as one of them.
Continue reading Harvesting Grape Leaves
This dish is a staple at many of our church functions. I hated it when I was a kid. Then someone made a simple change to the recipe.
Continue reading Greek Green Beans with Tomatoes (Fasolakia)
Mostly Greek 