Every summer, there is one dish that dominates mealtime. We try to make it whenever possible. Last year it was Grilled Romaine and the year before that, it was Heirloom Tomato Panzanella. This year, the winner is this lovely compliation of everything that is in peak season right now!
Edible Garden: Back Patio Edition
Remember that one time we built a garden planter ladder? It has been almost one month, and the growth of all of the little baby seedlings is extraordinary! One of the most important parts of any types of gardening, is the soil you use. The soil contains nutrients which are absolutely vital for the health of your plants. If your soil lacks nutrients, so do your plants. Bad soil = bland and nutrition-less produce. I don't use any pesticides or harsh chemical fertilizers on my plants either. I like to encourage good bugs like ladybugs and honey bees to come and eat pests and pollinate, and I do not want to ingest any chemicals!
WE BUILT THIS - Garden Planter Ladder
Four trips to Home Depot, 3 boxes of different sized deck screws, 2 crooked planter boxes, and 1 discarded planter. We have successfully completed our first big project involving wood, a saw, sanding, and a drill.
I have been looking for classes to take on woodworking or how to build stuff, etc. here in Nashville but have been unable to find anything! It was one of my goals for 29 in 29 and I have been looking periodically since last June!! I figured that instead of waiting around for a class to pop up, I could actually start doing something! This was THE PERFECT project for a good ol' learning experience!
Strawberry Rhubarb Tart with Cracklin' Oat Bran Crust (<--- I KNOW!!!)
Our car broke down again, for the second time in the past couple weeks, so Chris takes our working car and I work from home. Unless I have to run an errand, then I literally run them. So there I was, running an errand. It was a drizzling and I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Selected Shorts. Wham. Bam. Alakazam. Cracklin' Oat Bran. I wanted some. And wouldn't that make such a yummy tasting tart crust perfectly matched with fresh hand picked strawberries and rhubarb??
Rhubarb Rumbler Cocktail
Refreshing. Light. Springy. Sweet/Salty. Tart. DELICIOUS.
I've had a rhubarb plant for about four years. Rhubarb was something I really missed about Minnesota. In Minnesota, I feel like everyone has a rhubarb plant/plants. Am I right Minnesota friends???
I have great memories of delicious rhubarb crumble/cobbler/crisp/pie/bars. YES BARS. Thats a shoutout to my Minnesota roots.
EASY Butternut Squash Pasta with Chickpeas & Roasted Hazelnuts
One of my favorite people in the world, Brooke, told me that she has a special term for May; 'CRAYMAY'. CrayMay INDEED.
Butternut Squash Pasta is one of my go-tos when we need a good substantial dinner in a short amount of time. Super delicious, easy, and quick! You probably already have several of the ingredients on hand. The only ingredient I usually have to buy is the butternut squash.
Grilled Panzanella
Soon enough, I will have to say goodbye to most of my plants until next spring. Waaaaaaahhhh. The mailman, UPS, Fedex, our dogs, and probably most of our neighbors are all secretly cheering for the disappearance of the tiny jungle I’ve amassed in front of our house and on the steps leading to our front door. We live in a row of townhouses, so I pretty much use every square inch we have and even still, we run over at least one plant a week. I just ran over the oregano I brought back to life and I’m pretty ticked off at myself.