Sunday, May 22, 2011

The best chicken noodle soup ever

Warning: all measurements are approximate. Make sure to adjust for personal taste.

1 chicken breast grilled and cubed
1 quart chicken broth
1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh peas
Small bunch of chives (I use a kitchen shears to cut into small pieces)
1 cup bow tie pasta
1 tbsp dried parsley.
1 1/2 pieces crumbled bacon

Bring the Roth to a low rolling boil. Add the pasta chicken, chives, and parsley. If using fresh peas add them two minutes before pasta is done. Add the bacon at the same time. Salt and pepper to taste.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Chive Blossom Vinegar

Place two cups of chive blossoms per 1 quart jar.
Fill the jar with white vinegar and cover with plastic.
Allow to ferment for two weeks before straining out the blossoms.
Keep the vinegar in a dark location so that the color does not fade.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Oregano

                                     10 days to germination 

Plant 4 per square foot.  Start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting.  Started indoors 3/17/11.

As with most herbs, oregano leaves taste best before the plant flowers. You can begin harvesting when plants have reached 4-5 inches in height. Cutting stems all the way back to the ground will encourage more stems and a fuller plant.The stems tend to get woody and the easiest way to strip the leaves is to hold the stem by the top, uncut end and run your finger down the stem.

Mint

14 days to germination.
Plant in sunny location in pots to restrict root growth.

Cilantro

14 days to germination

Plant outdoors as early in spring as possible.  4 per square foot.

Buttercrunch Lettuce

65 days
Mild buttery flavored leaves.  The heart is also meant to be eaten.  Sow directly into soil .25-.5 inches deep spaced at least 8 inches apart.

Blue Lake Pole Bean

63 days
This is the pole version of the famous bush type that is widely planted for the canning industry.  Plant mid-spring when soil has reached a consistent 75 degrees.  Plant 1 inch deep at least 2 inches apart.