LIFE IS GOOD IN SUGAR LAND: A Feel Good Story on Urban Farming

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Feel Good Story on Urban Farming

I subscribe to a number of online newsletters (probably too many, my inbox is always stuffed!) I really like the newsletter Friends of the Market that I receive from Boulder County Farmers' Markets in Colorado. It always contains lots of interesting news and good recipes that are healthy, to boot.

I enjoyed the recent story 'linked' in Friends of the Market about Will Allen an urban farmer from Milwaukee. His story can be found at the link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/dining/01genius.html?_r=3&ref=dining&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

I've also attached a link to a video taped interview featuring Will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpTWQWx1MQ

More on Will.....

http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4537249/

And more 'YouTube' coverage on Growing Power.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k39D2myzRFQ

No comments:

Post a Comment

RECIPES

Texas Cavier

I got this recipe from Troy's sister, Tami. It's great served with tortilla chips and can be enjoyed any time of the year.

1 15 1/2 oz. can of yellow hominy, drained
1 15 oz. can of black eyed peas.
3 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large tomato, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/3 cup fresh parsley
1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing

Combine all ingrediants. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Spinach Quiche

I usually bake two of these at at time. One never seems to be enough. This dish is good right out of the oven, or the next day as leftovers. The only thing I wish I could change is reduce the amount of salt.

4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 package Knorr vegetable soup and recipe mix
1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry
1 9 inch frozen deep dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, cheese, soup mix and spinach. Spoon into pie crust. Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Serves 4-6.

(I usually have to bake this dish ~1.5 hours. It is important to squeeze as much water out of the spinach as possible before combining ingrediants.)

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars

I have several recipes that have peanut butter and chocolate in them. These bars are very sweet and they are always a popular item at pot lucks and holiday celebrations.

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup margarine
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
12 oz. bag of chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the peanut butter, margarine, cake mix and eggs. Spoon half of the mixture into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

While the mixture in the pan is still hot pour the bag of chocolate chips and 1/2 or all of the can of sweetened condensed milk on the mixture. Spoon the remaining mixture over the top and try to cover the chips/sweetened condensed milk layer as much as possible. Bake for another 30 minutes.

Artichoke and Asparagus Salad Serves four

3 lemons
1 pound small artichokes
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
Kosher salt
8 ounces thin to medium asparagus
1 small shallot, minced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
4 sprigs mint

Fill a large bowl with cold water. Cut two of the lemons in half and juice them into the water, tossing in the lemon rinds as well. Remove the outer tough leaves from each of the artichokes so only the tender, light yellow leaves are showing. Using a paring knife, trim the bottom and peel the green outer layer from the stem. Trim the top 1 inch from each artichoke. Put each artichoke in the acidulated water as soon as you’re finished.

When all the artichokes have been trimmed, cut them in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the furry choke and tiniest pinkish leaves. Place the cleaned artichokes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Add the vinegar, bay leaves and about 1 1/2 tablespoons salt; the water should be just slightly less salty than the sea. Place a piece of parchment paper cut to fit just inside the pan over the artichokes; press it down so it touches the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the artichokes can be easily pierced through the heart with knife, about 30 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, remove the parchment paper from the pan, and let cool completely.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Snap the fibrous ends off the asparagus. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until slightly tender but still with good bite, about one minute. Drain the asparagus and plunge it into the ice water to stop the cooking and retain the green color. When cool, dry the asparagus on a clean kitchen towel. Cut on a slant into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
Juice the remaining lemon and mix with the shallot in a small bowl. Set aside to macerate for 10 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and, whisking constantly, slowly pour in the olive oil. Set the dressing aside.

Remove the artichokes from their cooking liquid and slice them lengthwise from top to stem. Combine the sliced artichokes and the asparagus in a medium bowl and set aside.
Strip the leaves of mint from the stems and coarsely chop the leaves. Put them in the bowl of artichokes and asparagus. Add the dressing and toss slightly to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Arrange the salad on four plates. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Recipe excerpted from Outstanding in the Field: A Farm to Table Cookbook by Jim Denevan (Clarkson Potter, 2008).

LIFE IS GOOD IN SUGAR LAND

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Feel Good Story on Urban Farming

No comments:

Blog Archive

About Me

Paralegal Resources

Curriculum Vitae

RECIPES