Recipes and Garden Tips

[needacoke]

I've eaten two of the recipes on this page - both personally made by the poster here.

Justwishin's Death by Chocoloate - she, bamafan and I ate two servings. Wonderful.

lynnville's dip - oh my. It was really a big hit at mayumi's!

[sugaree]

Soooooooo, echo, echo, echo. Has anyone started their veggie garden? I've eaten broccoli, snap peas, lettuce, radishes and collard greens so far. I've got one tomato that will be ready to eat in a few days. Started picking strawberries in the strawberry barrel yesterday. There are baby zucchini and yellow squash, blooms on my eggplants and peppers, and my pole beans and cukes have started climbing their trelisses. I LOVE summer!

Would love to hear from any other gardeners out there.

[Jablea]

It's been too wet and we had frost weekend before last so nothing bearing fruit except the strawberries that are still in the greenhouse. Love to see what a Strawberry barrel looks like. My dad put most of mine in the hanging containers and the only place to hang them is under a shade tree.

I've planted and am eating spinach and two types of lettuce. I put in cucumbers and potatoes that got nipped by the frost but are coming back. The tomato was looking good while in the greenhouse, I should have left it there. The onions look good, the peas are slow and the raspberries aren't fruiting yet. The cherry tree got nipped, no apples again this year. The pear tree however is doing fine but I've never been able to eat it's fruit. The radishes look like they'll do well.

I'm a downer, lol. I do have more things in the greenhouse ready to plant so I'll eventually get some things to eat but I doubt it will be in June. Thankfully my 2 chickens more than keep up enough eggs for us.

[sugaree]

Hi Jablea. Sorry about your rain and frost. I planted a lot of seeds and then we had 2 weeks of rain, so a lot of seeds didn't germinate. It's hot and sunny now, so I planted seeds again. I buy a lot of plants already started too. You have a greenhouse? How big is it? That's so cool. Love the idea of fresh eggs too. I couldn't do that where I live. So sorry about your cherries and apples. We go to U-pick farms for peaches, cherries, apples and blueberries. I can them for winter. I'll take your pears lol. I can them also. Love pears.

My husband made the strawberry barrel. We went to a winery and purchased a barrel. Then drilled holes around the sides and planted the strawberry seedlings in the holes. He put it on wheels so I can spin it around so all of them get sun. It looks so pretty too. I don't know how to upload pictures, but I'll have him take one later and I'll post it. It wasn't that difficult to do and you don't get any bugs. I guess you don't get any either if you use the hanging things.

How big is your garden btw? Mine is 50 feet by 10 feet. I go a little overboard for two people, but my friends are thrilled to get fresh veggies all season.

Nice to talk to you. We'll keep each other posted on our progress.

[spring2009]

I am in desperate need of a great hors d'oeuvres recipe if anyone has one!!! Keep seeing the same ones over and over again!

[sugaree]

Hey spring.

Have you ever made stuffed clams with breadcrumbs and bacon (clams casino)? I use canned clams and it's very easy.
Smoked salmon spread to serve with crackers.
Mushrooms stuffed with Italian sausage and parmesian cheese. Mushrooms stuffed with crab.
Skewered shrimp on the BBQ.
Baked brie with fresh fruit and/or sliced Italian bread.
Somewhere up-thread is the artichoke cheese dip (always a hit). BBQ oysters (I make a sauce that is kind of like buffalo chicken wing sauce).

Of course with a lot of these you have to have a good seafood market.

Jalapeno poppers (made in the oven so you don't have to fry them).
Korean style meatball logs in lettuce wraps (really really good - made with ground pork).
Old standby - bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
Bruschetta.
Pineapple salsa with tortilla chips - also really great served with steamed shrimp (another real easy one).
Steamed shrimp served with Remoulade sauce.
Hummus with toasted pita chips - I think I posted a recipe above for home made hummus, but there are plenty ready made ones at the grocery store (can also be served with raw veggies).
Hazelnut crusted goat cheese - served as a spread for crackers. Blue cheese bacon dip.
Cucumber dill dip (great with potato chips).
Cheddar cheese pimento spread

I'll try to think of more and check back in later. Let me know if anyone wants the recipes.

[Alison]

Spring,

I made this last week and it was a hit. You can use Sugaree's hummus recipe in it too.

Layered Greek Dip

Yield: 2 1/2 cups (serves 16)
Prep Time: 20 min + time for refrigeration
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (low fat is fine)
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups prepared hummus
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (reduced fat is fine)
1/3 cup sliced green onions
pita chips and/or multigrain tortilla chips
Directions:
1. In medium mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and garlic with rubber spatula until smooth and well-combined.
2. Spread cream cheese mixture into deep 9-inch pie plate or oval platter. Spread hummus on top of cream cheese layer. Sprinkle on cucumber, then tomato, olives, feta, and green onions.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips.
Source: RecipeGirl.com (Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens)

[Alison]

Sugaree, I was unable to find the time to start a veggie garden this season. We have been scrambling to get our house ready to sell and are planning on putting it on the market next week. Pick a few tomatoes for me

[sugaree]

Jun 21, 2011 12:39:36 GMT -5 Alison said:

Sugaree, I was unable to find the time to start a veggie garden this season. We have been scrambling to get our house ready to sell and are planning on putting it on the market next week. Pick a few tomatoes for me

That's funny. I was outside working in my garden and said "I need to pm Alison and see how her garden is doing. That's okay. You'll have a wonderful one next year. I'll eat some veggies for ya.

[spring2009]

Thank you Sugaree and Alison!!! I will print these off, great new ideas. If I see another taco dip I'm going to scream!