June starts out with promises that are quickly lost along the way. The weather is nice, warm but not to hot, yet. School is coming to a close with hopes of a trip to the beach or a lake. Gardens are beginning to offer a harvest to enjoy. And for some vacations are being planned. Then humidity, weeds and overbearing heat take over! June and July for that matter, are the two toughest months in East Texas for comfort, as we join Sherry for In My Kitchen.
There simply was not enough time with full time work and a long commute. But it is a very good thing we do not have to survive on what I do grow. Because this year so far has been low yields with proficient weeds. So weedy in fact a couple of crops have been lost to the weeds. In my humble opinion if food grew as well as the weeds (which seem to have a built in survival mechanism) there would be no hunger. Since I garden for enjoyment as well as for food, the decision was made to begin using weed fabric to help keep the weeds at bay. I am also hoping that I will be using less water to irrigate the beds.
And there were a few changes in the kitchen...
And for a lark I measured my work space! Yep, 27 inches. One thing is a given, when you only have 27 inches, you become very organized! One way for me was to organize my kitchen placing the small kitchen appliances on wire shelving so that I was not using any of the 27 inches when using these appliances. Each appliance (slow cooker, food processor etc.) sits on the shelf, and is plugged in, ready to go. They are used right where they sit, leaving the counter space for food prep. Honestly this made all the difference between a smooth operation and frustration.
Truth is, our meals had become tried and true, which can and does lead to boredom, and the reason for those cookbooks. Inspiration is often my missing ingredient! Regarding cooking from the garden, we have replanted cucumbers, beets and zucchini. Green beans will get a second planting, and we will plant Chinese style pea pods later when the weather cools. I have harvested garlic and will get that chopped and frozen, here soon.
And while I have not read The Blue Zones Kitchen cover to cover, I have already begun growing Japanese Sweet Potatoes. One of the recipes we have tried is Rice with Sweet Potatoes....and I have to say, I quite like it! The organic potatoes I picked up at my market however are the light tan flesh, and I do hope to find the purple flesh variety here soon. I was pleased to find this book, as we had enjoyed the documentary about a year ago.
So did I develop any new recipes?
This Lemon-y Chicken and Onions dish is so good. Tender chicken breast meat smothered in lemon and thyme onions. It goes perfect with small yellow potatoes.
Let's Talk Quinoa, what's in your pantry? True confession, I am really late to the quinoa club. But one of the things I have take not of is that as we age, protein is more and more important. And this grain is a frugal way to make sure you get your share. And while I don't have a ton of recipes, using quinoa, I have found I really enjoy it mixed with brown rice as a side dish.
Loaded Vegetable Lentil Soup. Yes another sipping soup, but the perfect soup to offer those you think they don't like lentils...(yes, I did mention this recipe last month)
What will July bring? I will be attempting to recreate my husband's favorite condiments currently purchased at the market. For a couple of reasons, one being cost! Condiments are outrageous in price. But being able to recreate them using whole foods, just might be fun!
And this post that may be of interest:
The Amish Cooks Anniversary Book. The true accounting of Amish life and written by mother and daughter. This book spans 20 years. While the mother (Elizabeth) wrote the column for many years, up to her passing. Her daughter (Lovina) took up the task to honor her mother. This book is the last 10 years Elizabeth wrote the column and the first 10 years after Lovina took over. This family is amazing! This book was borrowed from my local library.
And that brings June to a close, what happened in your kitchen?
#wholefoodingredients
#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily
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My husband has been talking about adding weed barrier to our vegetable garden the same way that you did, keep us posted on how well it works! For now he's been using Preen to keep the weeds down and fertilize at the same time. Does the barrier help with watering? I thrifted a bunch of Springform pans (the kind you make cheesecake with), removed the bottoms and put the circular metal forms around each plant. After pushing them into the soil about an inch, they create a wall that holds in water and lets it sink straight down to the roots instead of running off....still in the experimental phase but going well so far!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, the water run off issue is the same here, your spring form pans sound like a good solution. I am trying several ways to control where the water stays. I have taken lots of photos and do hope to write up a post on my efforts and successes with this gardening style. Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteI love Japanese Sweet potatoes. Actually, they are the only sweet potatoes I enjoy. I had a nice mister, but it clogged terribly and was messy. I may look up the one you got because I do miss having one. I hope you're staying cool and enjoy July.
ReplyDeleteLori the tan flesh ones we have a slight vanilla after taste, which is very pleasant. The purple flesh variety is still elusive as yet! Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it!
DeleteThe Blue Zone book is a thoughtful read as well as being full of ideas. All a cookbook should be. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
ReplyDeleteJo, thanks so much!
DeleteI like the blue zone cookbook and also have spent time reading it. I started using purple sweet potatoes as few months ago. Interesting that you have only started planting a garden after retirement. Despite being a vegetarian, I not a great fan of quinoa . I should eat more of it since it is a good source of protein. We are having.a brutal heat wave - 103 today and crazy humid. I could barley leave the house.
ReplyDeleteJudee I had a blueberry bush or two and few flowers, but a garden on this scope was out of the question with the long hours I worked. It is one way I stay in shape!
DeleteThanks for the link love! And your olive oil mister looks amazing. Have you considered growing thyme where the weeds are prolific. It makes a great ground cover. The Amish Cooks Anniversary Book is something I would love to page through :)
ReplyDeleteTandy, the Amish book was so engaging, I had to write about it! Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it. I have thought about mulching with additional plants such as thyme, alyssum, and marigolds, but so far have not found a way to get it all done, LOL. Plus we are still building up the soil, as we live on layers of clay and sand.
DeleteI might try and track down the Amish book here, it would be interesting. I joined the Quinoa club last year and was pleasantly surprised, love using it combine with burgul wheat and other soft grains i can eat. Lots of delicious things to eat in your kitchen this month Melynda.
ReplyDeletePauline, it is so interesting! The mother daughter relationship is touching and this provided so much insight into the Amish way of life. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteI used to think exactly the same, as if only the plants grew as well as the weeds ! I'm also curious how many inches my kitchen has, cos I'm not sure how long 27 inches is, but I'll get back to you next month :) I love cookbooks and I (almost) never cook anything from them.. they are for style inspiration and I figure my brain integrates the information anyway
ReplyDeleteDOS, we are having high bug count, high heat, high humidity and so many weeds. And not just in my little garden, it is all that is talked about on community pages or if you are in the Farm store picking up supplies. Many gardeners in Texas use a shade cloth in order to garden year round, it is that brutal in July Aug and Sept. We will definitely have to time things differently next year...thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it.
DeleteI agree with you on the cycling of weekly meals Melynda. We also get a little bored which is terrible to say when we have food to eat but it's true. So I try to introduce something new at least one meal per week. I also have a small kitchen workspace but it's plenty for us.
ReplyDeleteVisitng from Laurie's today where we're sitting together!
Blesings, Jennifer
Jennifer, your one new thing idea is a great fix! I will have to remember it and give it a go. Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it!
DeleteI have an apartment size kitchen. And don't have much space at all. I work at my table or a rolling cart. You developed quite a few dishes last month. Those cook books caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend. I'm so happy you're here.
Paula, thanks!
Deletewe are fortunate to have a galley sort of kitchen but also a walk-in pantry with shelves to hold kitchen appliances etc. Lentil soup - yum! and the lemony chicken with onions sounds fab too. Thanks muchly for joining in this month and see you in august.
ReplyDeletecheers
sherry
Sherry, your IMK event is one of my favorites to be a part of, thank you for hosting!
DeleteMelynda, I I like all the things you've covered in this post. Random posts are fun because you see what someone has really been up to, not just the "scripted" things that we often write about in our lives. :) I have a bunch of cookbooks which I really never use, but I don't get rid of them, either. I like the ones you've shared here! I understand the 27" of working space... When we were in our first RV, especially, we had so little space to work. We used our kitchen table there as our workspace, with all of the pots, pans, and appliances underneath the bench seats. Cooking a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner was a nightmare, lol! ;)
ReplyDeleteOur bigger RV, we had a whole island, plus space on the back counter by the cooktop to keep my hot water pot for tea AND Charles' coffee maker (our one splurge when moving into the bigger trailer and moving to Texas). Funny, when we moved into this house (It is 2048 sq. ft.), we kept doing everything over by the sink, in the same spot as the coffee maker and teapot, lol! I couldn't get used to having SO MUCH SPACE. It was crazy! I do hope at some point you will have a little more space to work. Having a functional kitchen with the work triangle really does help to get things done more efficiently.
Happily shared your post, as you know, at SYS #505 this week,
Many hugs,
Barb :)
Barb, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a kind note. We never know where we will land until our wings get tired, do we? Have a great week ahead!
Delete