asparagus and strawberries ~ the true harbingers of spring

19 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in blessings, environment, farmer's market, healthy food, Lifestyle, quick recipes, renewal, season, sustainable lifestyle, Virginia

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asparagus, asparagus spears, buffet party, dinner, food, grape hyacinths, healthy recipes, healty food, organic strawberries, party food, sheet pan, spireas, strawberries, vegetarian, virgin olive oil, whipped cream

Without asparagus and strawberries, there would be no spring in my book.

Sure, cheeses are good, yet spring headliners are asparagus and strawberries!

The month of April brings a flush of color to many gardens around the world. Despite Mother Nature’s mood this month, my garden is filled with blooms of the mighty daffodils, grape hyacinths, bluebells, primroses, tulips, dogwood, spireas, hellebore, laurels, spurge, willow, bleeding heart, blueberries, barberries, and rhododendrons. Yet while this show explodes in the home garden, my kitchen is another story—it is abundant with asparagus and strawberries!

Last week I created food for a buffet party of thirty-five. As the beef tenderloins dry-cured in the fridge, the hunt was on for perfect asparagus and strawberries. The food gods were with me, as I brought home eleven pounds of pencil-thin asparagus and a case of organic strawberries. The berries were the size of a Fiat so I planned to serve them with obscene amounts of organic whipped cream.

The asparagus were just the size I prefer and rather than do the blanching/ice bath technique, I decided to roast them instead. My recipe follows:

First determine the break point with one spear, then using the stack and cut method, process all stems.

Step two: Rinse all spears, catching the water in a basin for the garden.

Next, place spears on a large kitchen towel and blot with another removing as much water as possible.

In batches, toss dried spears with virgin olive oil.

Place oiled spears on a sheet pan, one layer thick. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.

Roast asparagus spears for three minutes at 500F. Then open oven carefully, shake pan to roll spears, then roast another two minutes.

Cooling delectable edibles. For pleasant visual appeal, alternate layers. When completely cooled, cover with cling film and refrigerate. One hour before consuming, bring to room temperature. Squeeze half a fresh lemon over is nice per platter.

The orgasmic fruit ~ the strawberry. Always choose organic.

Leave strawberries unwashed in refrigerator until three hours before eating. Then carefully remove the stem, leave small berries whole, while slicing larger berries into thirds or quarters. Rinse as asparagus, placing on towel and blotting. Store washed berries in refrigerator, covered with a damp paper towel, until one hour before serving. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of granulated sugar over all (this amount for eight pounds of berries). Gently toss with hands and leave at room temperature. Serve with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream that is sweetened with a 1/2 cup of sugar (this amount added to four cups of heavy cream).

Giant bowl of these sensuous berries and cream compliment tender madelines and rich, lush brownies cut in one-inch pieces. The guests went wild…

Surely the beef and chicken, local country ham with cream biscuits, cheese boards, artichoke dips, sweet & spicy pecans, and generous full bar filled everyone to a happy place, yet the asparagus and strawberries left them wanting more.

Ah, what a beautiful life.

This is a great time of year to support your local farmer’s markets, grow your own, and generally celebrate another fine season of food. Bon Appetit!

when pie sales reached 2000 …

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in color, farmer's market, home, interior design, life, P Allen Smith, pie, renewal, winter

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"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Benjamin Moore Paint, Charlottesville, food, home renovation, key lime pie, key lime pies, kitchen counter top, one woman operation, P Allen Smith, restaurants, Virginia

I quit counting. Yes! At last annual count, two-thousand of the best key lime pies on the planet have left my inspected kitchen, made by moi, a one-woman operation since 2000—the pie was introduced in 2005!
Now mind you, I never planned this occupation. However a love of food that I exploited—in order to manage contractors during a long, and often painful 6.5 year home renovation—leaves me with a small discerning following here in my hometown. These pies have traveled as far north as Maine and as far south as Georgia, lovingly tucked into coolers by guardians of my KLPie.

named by locals--the best Key Lime Pie on the Planet...

named by locals as The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet…made one at a time, every time.

It seems to be the crust that hooks them first, then customers order repeatedly, and they tell their friends. I do not advertise, yet I am the first hit on Google when key lime pie—in my town—is searched.
Last July one local restaurant began carrying these pies, and they continue to be the only dessert on their menu. As of last week, weekly orders increased, taunting me with the fantasy that perhaps I can stash enough pie money to 1) take a real vacation, or 2) replace my 13 YO MPV, or 3) really retire, or 4) hire garden help.
This same restaurateur plans to open a sister eatery in DC later this year, and already inquired if I could keep up with demand. YES! Until my final breath.
My ultimate wish for this pie would be me strolling the aisles of a large kitchen, supervising the hand-made production of my pies for all to enjoy. Shipping would be perfected, where the home-made integrity is forever preserved and passed on to anyone, anywhere. Any ideas out there?
My cookbook is ready for a publisher too. Halloo!

the crusts hook them

I forever envy folks who can do ONE thing for sustainable income. During decades as an entrepreneur, I have yet to figure that one out. As a former interior designer, I got close, as projects were begun and finished—black and white—do and done. Conversely, food leads me down a path of no return. No end in sight. Halloo!

Those of you who follow my blog might like to see photos of the completed kitchen counter-top renewal. Nice huh?

completed counter-top restoration

oh so sleek and baby bottom smooth

my reward for all my effort, grilled Irish cheddar cheese with Irish butter. Yum!
Where is the Guinness???

Pro tem, I continue to continue. Currently awaiting warmer outdoor temperatures as the parrot cage, tuteurs, and numerous pieces of iron patio furniture stand in line for a new coat of paint. I will dazzle you with the color choices, thanks to Benjamin Moore and P Allen Smith.

Now when do I get my facelift?

embrace this day

11 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in farmer's market, garden, healthy food, home, life, Lifestyle, mission, Monarch butterflies, photography, quick recipes, sustainable lifestyle, Virginia

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farmer's market, harvest, healthy meals, Ichi Ke Jiro persimmon, Monarch butterflies, October, photography, quick meals, vegetarian, Virginia

I feel giddy, as if I were in love for the first time.

I am beguiled by October. Yes, the month of October is a time to celebrate—and feel the flush of Mother Nature’s boundless beauty. I embrace her, crave her, and revel in her. The planet shifts, shadows elongate, high humidity and biting insects depart, and temperatures top out at 70 degrees F— yes I am in love again.

At home, the garden is bursting with colors of fall. As many plants begin their decent into dormancy, others like this ‘Muhlenbergia capillaris’ explode with riotous hue. This is the only pink that I tolerate in my gardens, as this display epitomizes fall in my world — life is intoxicating!

Monarch season was extremely challenging this year, as the oleander aphid ravaged the host plants (tropical milkweed) forcing me to raise most monarch larvae indoors, multiplying my daily chores ten-fold. The monarch’s predatory wasp also took a high toll on the larvae, leaving dozens dead. However, ninety monarch beauties successfully emerged and flew from my terrace over the past month, hopefully to find safe haven in a warm climate, where they may overwinter. Nearly one-hundred others went Fed-Ex to southern states where they will live out their lives in a lush botanic gardens and educate visitors.

The farmer’s market is brimming with large, leafy vegetables, root crops, and loads of pumpkins. Therefore my daily lunch plate is full of steamed kale and red garnet sweet potatoes, splashed with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper and garnished with sliced almonds. Six minutes are all one needs to provide a healthy, farm fresh meal.

Another tasty mid-day meal came from the remaining bit of basil pesto left in the food processor following a massive harvest. I tossed in a peeled avocado, a splash of olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. After a brief spin, the fluffy dip was quickly consumed with crusty crackers.

A third fast meal came from a friend who dropped off assorted tomatoes, eggplant, and squash. I quickly sliced, diced, and cubed the lot, added fresh okra from the garden and voila! a beautiful medley of healthy goodness. A quick saute in olive oil, then covered and steamed until tender, a half tube of tomato paste, seasoned with sea salt and black pepper finished this dish! Topped with grated cheese and toasted breadcrumbs, made this a memorable, quick, healthy meal. Try it!

Remember the Ichi Ke Jiro persimmon blog from this spring? Well, twenty-five fruit formed, despite the July wind storm that claimed half of the tree, and they are amazing. Ever had one? The fruit is unlike native persimmons. One fills my hand, is eaten while hard, and has none of the tannic aftertaste of the native. In fact, this fruit tastes like a firm melon! What I do not eat, will be introduced at market this Saturday and boggle curious shoppers. Looking forward to the dialogue!

PS There is still nothing like a power snack of the hard-boiled egg. I always have some in the fridge, ready to peel when I need a boost. Better to have a snack like this on hand rather than eat a carb or a handful of chocolate!

Remember to roll your mouse over the images to read captions. Click on images if you wish to enlarge.

some days I reinvent myself

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in farmer's market, Lifestyle, Past Loves, photography, season, summer, sustainable lifestyle

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chutney, discerning shoppers, food, jam, LaSauce, loose ends, photography, rich spices, sauce

Some days I feel rough at the edges, somehow not put together. I captured an image at market this past weekend that seems to say it all.

As taste trends shift, so must I. In an effort to even my ballast, I dug out all my old chutney, jam, and sauce recipes. After a big shop for supplies Monday, I began the tedious tasks associated with canning.

For the past 48 hours my home has smelled of rich spices and bubbling fruit.

By noon today there were fifty jars sealed and labeled—ready for discerning shoppers come Saturday.

This girl is tuckered out—where is that pool when I need it?

Remember to glide your mouse over images for further captions.

Tomorrow I am tasked to make granola and olive oil crackers with New Mexico red chile.

cauliflower love

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, Bluebirds, color, farmer's market, home ownership, Lifestyle, photography, spring flowers

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baking with julia, blueberry muffins, Bluebirds, cooking, cruciferous, crunch crunch, farmer's market, food, photography, vegetarian

Who says we cannot get excited about a vegetable?? When I spotted this beauty at the farmer’s market Saturday, I thought, “come to mama!”

If ever you grow this cruciferous veggie, you will quickly learn this is not an easy process. I only purchase these, as I have not the time or patience. But OH how I love thee! Every time I opened the fridge on Sunday, I admired my prize and contemplated how I would devour it. Too pretty for soup…

This morning I could no longer wait, so I broke off a few florets and placed them in my trusty steamer. Piping hot, and with a healthy splash of olive oil and a light sprinkle of sea salt, down the hatch it went—crunch, crunch, crunch.

Sunday I had a few folks over and decided to break my rule of not cooking blueberries. My three bushes are loaded this year, therefore armed with Baking with Julia, I whipped up eighteen muffins, that turned out lighter than air.

Not huge or gorgeous, these melted in our mouths, or rather—were enhaled by my guests. I saved a few back and enjoyed two for breakfast at room temperature. YUM! The only thing that I would alter in the recipe, is REDUCE the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. I forced myself to freeze the remaining four and test how they handle the cold. Yeh, right!

The following are a few additional snaps from Saturday’s market—too beautiful to omit. Enjoy!

Bluebird Update

This morning the bluebird pair returned with their two chicks in tow. Both babes look wonderful, freckled, and still begging for food, as mama begins rebuilding her second nest for the season—in the same box. I fear the third fledged chick did not survive in the wild, yet I must focus on the success of the remaining two. How adorable to witness one chick mimicking mama by picking up a pine needle!

I awoke this morning to find both bird feeders toppled by some large critter, I presume the marauding raccoon. It will be a challenge for this new BB nest cycle. Have not seen the likes of the black racer since Sunday week, yet it too will be a risk for nesting birds—until I can capture/release it. Gulp!

Now back to the chores of this homeowner. The pressure tank begs to be replaced. Where is that plumber?

You all have a great week and please visit your local farmer’s market and fall in love with a veggie!

just a snack between views

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in edible flowers, farmer's market, healthy food, Lifestyle, photography, quick meals, quick recipes

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butterfly, chevre, crunch crunch, food, garden, home, lavender flowers, photography, quick recipes, toast, zebra swallowtail

Recovered from the snake drama for the time being, a much prettier view manifested for me in the garden today. For the first time in eleven years fluttered a zebra swallowtail. I could not believe my eyes and grabbed the camera. A very shy beauty, this zebra dotted and dashed as I failed many shots. This one is not perfect, yet will convey the splendor of this fine flutter-bye..

Back in the kitchen, I decided to splurge on brunch, and pan fried two slices of my signature bread, Rustic 21 in butter until golden. Two wedges of chevre topped with sliced almonds then drizzled with local honey finished this scrumptious snack. Of course the second the photo was snapped, the cherve was mushed onto the hot bread and crunch, crunch, crunch. If I could sell it this way at market, I would charge a king’s ransom…

This kind of light meal does not occur often, as I rarely return home from market with an unsold loaf. Today…Yum!

Fresh lavender flowers would be a nice garnish.

bread, snow peas, and key lime pie

01 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in Back Yard Birds, birds, farmer's market, garden, healthy food, Lifestyle, pie, quick meals

≈ 4 Comments

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birds, farmer's market, feeding backyard birds, food, healthy food, lifestyle, photography, sustainable living

Fridays are always busy here—especially in the kitchen.

Since I rise early, by 10AM there were seven Key Lime Pies cooling in the fridge;

by noon the madeleines were golden and packed neatly into their bags; fifteen pounds of granola await the trip to town and containers of chive/artichoke pesto rest in the freezer.

Fresh bags of chard are tucked along side the pie boxes—the precious snow peas debut tomorrow and will bring high ~~praise~~ dollars. The scones and bread are last items to cool—finally I can unwind until four AM Saturday, when the alarms sound.

I created two additional quick meals in the past two days, adding a few snow peas and spinach from the garden. I do not consume what goes to market, as once the recipe is perfected, the items merely become revenue. I say this following twelve years of specialty baking, an occupation I stumbled upon while supervising contractors during a LONG home renovation. Now that the house is finished, I want to retire from food production, yet my clients threaten to disembowel me if I do.

The next two photos are quick meals over the past two days.

Out in the garden the hydrangeas are spectacular. It struggled for a few years, yet in its new location appears to thrive—a triumph!

Most back yard birds thrive, while Ethel, the flightless grackle, finds the birdbath positioned to accommodate her remaining days. She thoroughly enjoyed this bath—her first.

At dusk a huge raccoon scurried across my lawn, only to climb the cedar tree and gaze down at me—undaunted. I fear Ethel’s days may be numbered, unless her wing feathers support her flight soon. Never a dull moment in this home, garden, or life.