My Northwest Garden: March 2013

Red Onions?

I'm so excited to get my garden back to work! Last month we prepared the raised beds, transplanted raspberries, and did some pruning, but I only planted red onions. -those have actually already started to grow! We've got some perennials budding, and my crocuses are almost through blooming. Spring is coming to Oregon!

Three Happy Hens

The chickens are getting one last peck at the garden. They love looking for bugs in the compost.

Before

Today we will be tilling our compost into the ground and planting some early seeds. Our compost is a mix of mostly rabbit poo, leaves, coffee grounds, fruit scraps, chicken poo, and last year's garden beds. Once tilled it looks beautiful! Salad Greens, Beets, Carrots, and Radishes are going in the ground today!

After

Finished.. for now.  March 9th

Here's a great link to the OSU Garden Calendar

March 11th, makeshift painter's plastic drop cloth blanket.

March 15, Salad Greens!

Eating Well

I had hoped to make this a list of gourmet recipes....then I did some research and soul searching, and discovered something very important- I am not a chef.  I only use recipes for things I've never tried and for pastries.  When I do use recipes I often eyeball the portions and make new stuff up as I go.  I have no real recipes of my own to share.  However I have been cooking in some form or other since I was a kid.  From quesadillas and peanut butter and jelly, to high end restaurant kitchen work, all the way back home to feeding my family three healthy meals and snacks.  
So here's some ideas for lighter foods with comfort food flavors:

• Add a premixed seasoning to cooked veggies or salad to give it the flavor you're craving.  You can add these seasonings to any dish to give it extra flavor without compromising nutrition.  For example:
• Steamed Broccoli with pizza seasoning and a sprinkle of shredded Italian cheeses
• Sweet Potato wedges baked with a little olive oil, sea salt, and Italian seasoning
  (keep your portions small for this one)
• Salad greens, tomatoes, feta, and dried garlic and herbs, salt and pepper
• You don't need to add sugar, fat, or flour to get an awesome desert.  The most important ingredient is often the fruit!  
• Pumpkin puree and Apple sauce with pumpkin pie spice
• Raw or Baked Apples with cinnamon
• Berries, frozen, hot, or anywhere in between
• Fresh Fruit salad. Not canned in syrup!
• Smoothies!  Just add your favorite fruit and crushed ice
• Some things I do almost every day, for my chocolate fix:
• Mocha: 1 mug of coffee and about 1 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 Tbsp honey, less than 1/4 C 2% milk. about 65 calories/cup
• Mocha frappe: 1C cold coffee, 1/2C crushed ice,  1/2Tbsp cocoa powder, 1 serving chocolate protein shake or chocolate nutritional shake.  blend. about 150calories
• For meals:  watch your portions, skimp on carbs and fats, double the veg!  here's a few regular dinners in my house:
• Baked herb chicken breast, brown and wild rice cooked with bouillon, and green beans from the garden.
• Easy Three Bean Chili: 1 sauteed onion, 1 can each of black, pinto, kidney beans, and vegetarian chili, add chili powder, cumin, and salt to taste.  
• Rabbit Stew: Super easy in a crock pot- meat from 1 rabbit (or chicken), 2 potatoes (or turnips), 1 onion, and 2 cups carrots, all coarsely chopped .  Cover with 1 box chicken broth, cook on high. When potatoes are cooked but still firm, add 2-4 cups green veggies (celery, leeks, kale).  Season with parsley, salt, pepper, and whatever you like.   
  
     

BONUS:
Our Valentine's Day Menu
Pan Cooked New York Steak on a bed of Kale with Quinoa and Brown Rice
Strawberries in Sparkling Wine
Popcorn, Air Popped with Olive Oil and Sea Salt


Resources
What's In Season?
Circle h Organic CSA
All About Kale:Video
5 Most Common Mistakes When Cooking Quinoa
The Perfect Steak - Heston Blumenthal
How to Cook a Steak in a Pan - Gordon Ramsay
caramelized-pancetta-and-fennel-salad-recipe
myfitnesspal.com



It was delicious!