December 31, 2012
It is the season for salads and I relish the options each day. From the garden yesterday I brought in lettuce, endive, arugula, radicchio, calendula petals, mint and dressed the salad with California olive oil and my lime juice. The fuyu persimmons and chopped pecans added texture and color.
Viola ‘tricolor’ (Johnny-Jump-Up) and red frilly mustard selected for this salad.
This is the best crop of spinach I’ve had for several years. Fresh seed seems to be more important than I had judged. Bugs have been at bay as well.
With all the other greens in the garden, I let the spinach leaves grow larger for use in an entree. The first harvest was this weekend.
The entree above was a riff on Spanish White Beans with Spinach (and Sun-dried Tomatoes) from Epicurious using the ingredients on hand (kidney beans). For heartiness, it topped a brown and wild rice mixture. Decreasing the olive oil didn’t diminish the entree except in calories and adding some lemon juice just before serving brightened the flavors.
I kept things simple for Christmas dinner and pulled apricot halves from the freezer and combined with frozen blueberries for a memorable cobbler; of course, a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream topped the warm cobbler. Secret ingredients I’ve added to my Mom’s basic recipe: grated nutmeg in the topping and some lemon zest with the fruit.
And imagine my surprise when I found these ripe blueberries on the 'Bountiful Blue’ bush yesterday morning. They went right on our waffles with real maple syrup, a Christmas gift. I think these little berries were quite a gift as well.
Thanks to all my readers and followers at the end of 2012. I love hearing from you by like, comment or email. Wishing you and yours a happy new year!
Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne’s Dandelions. It’s a time to share what you’re harvesting in your garden or how you’re storing or using it.
