March 19, 2010

Thinking of Spring and Going Green! Do Your Part!!!

Ok – ENOUGH of this tease – BRING ON SRPING. Now to be honest – spring is season number 3 for me – with fall first, summer second, then fall and F…. Winter (F for “Forget”)

I must admit Spring does bring out my desire to plant and spruce up the outside. Flowers, herbs, tomatos, mulch — the whole process is rewarding. To me it is like painting a room – tangible progress. So why do I put spring in 3^rd place – well it is disorderly – for a big part of spring half of the earth is still sleeping while the other half is going wild. I like my seasons to be more groomed. I have heard all the – “oh but the earth is coming alive BS – If it ain’t orderly I don’t like it – so keep your early spring and give me the late spring, early summer.

Now – to my point – spring is for planting – I challenge each of you to plant something.  I don’t care if you don’t have time, don’t have a big yard or live in an apartment – plant something outside. The only exception is Bre, our Bartender – who kills every living thing that is planted.

Cherry Tomato’s can be planted in a pot on your patio. Herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano – grow great in pots and frankly grow like weeds with a bit of water everyday and some sun. Chile Peppers grow wonderfully in pots as well and are great fun to pick and use in salsa, salads, marinades etc… Plant an “Impatient” if you have low sun – Just plant something and care for it. When you have your coffee in the morning you get to watch your plants grow, it will bring you a smile.

A few keys – your pot must have a hole in the bottom are the plants will drown. If you don’t water in the morning, it is like going to the beach all day and putting on the sun screen when you go home.

Now go forth and Plant, Plant, Plant – AND WATER.

PS – Miracle Grow once a week is a Miracle.

Roasted Salsa Verde

         

 

        1 Cup Whole Cherry Tomatoes

        2 Green Jalapenos

        1 Red Jalapeno

        1 Cup Red Onions from Salad Line

        2 tomatillos w. Husk On

 

 

Toss all in olive oil and put in Grill Basket Pan and Grill – Turn Frequently to “Char”

 

Cool in Bowl

 

Peel Tomatillos and Jalapenos – Don’t worry if some of peel stays on.

De-Stem and De-Seed Jalapenos.

 

Fine Chop Jalapeno’s

Rough Chop Onions, Cherry Tomatoes and Tomatillos’

 

Combine w. Following

 

          ¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro

          1 Tbs Sugar

          Salt and Pepper to taste