Quinoa and Crisp Veggie Salad and Lavender Herb Lemonade

Quinoa and Crisp Veggie Salad

Hot weather and salads go together. By cooking the quinoa in advance, this fulfilling salad can be ready in minutes. Best of all, most of the ingredients can be found in your own garden.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa cooked in 2 cups of water

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, sliced

1/4 cup red onion, chopped

6 radishes, sliced

2 Tablespoons chopped mint

1 Tablespoons chopped parsley

Juice squeezed from 1 lemon

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

Stir together vegetables with cooled quinoa. Room temperature is fine. Whisk together mint, parsley, lemon and oil and pour over salad mixture. Stir in and sprinkle with almonds and Parmesan. Serve with Lavender and Herb Lemonade.

Lavender Herb Lemonade

Fill a third of a quart pitcher with ice. Squeeze juice from 5 - 6 lemons and pour over ice. Add 2 cups of water. In a food or processor, process 2 tablespoons of lavender buds, leaves from 4 sprigs of lemon thyme, leaves from 1 sprig of mint. Add to lemon juice with 1/2 - 1 cup sugar and fill pitcher with water, stirring until blended. After a few minutes, pour and enjoy!

Pollinators and Other Bugs Love Milkweed

You probably know that Monarchs depend on milkweed to lay their eggs as this plant is the sole food of their larvae. However, in spite of milkweed plants growing prolifically throughout our property, I have not seen any evidence that a Monarch has deposited an egg on them. Last year, I did find one monarch caterpillar (see July 4, 2017 post.) This yea, I have noticed  many other insects benefiting from this plant. There is a large milkweed patch growing next to our compost bin This is a perfect spot since it attracts pollinators which also visit the adjacent vegetable garden. The most common butterfly in our garden this year has been the Tiger Swallowtail.

An abundance of milkweed and Tiger Swallowtails next to our compost bin

On the same day that at least a dozen Tiger Swallowtails appeared, I also saw a Monarch and a Black Swallowtail, but they didn't stay long and were so quick that I wasn't able to take a photo.  The Tiger Swallowtails were not shy and didn't mind being photographed.

When I looked closer, I saw other pollinators, like this Skipper.

Skipper on milkweed

There were also numerous bees. Both honey and bumble bees are attracted to the nectar of the flowers. I was surprised to read that a bee's leg can become trapped in the blossoms, which can sometimes be fatal.

Honey bee

Bumble bee

Many beetles enjoy the  leave of the plants. I tend not to worry about the damage caused from these pests since the plants spread rapidly - like a weed!

Red Milkweed Beetle

I am happy that such a variety of insects are able to benefit from the milkweed plants in our yard.

Select Your Tea Bags Carefully

Not all tea bags are alike. Sure those pyramid bags may look cool and do provide ample room for tea leaves to expand, but even though they may be labeled as "silk", they are often made from plastic, which is non-biodegradable. Potential health effects aside, these tea bags will not biodegrade, and can be a source of pollution if not properly disposed. I was reminded of this the other day, when I was spreading compost and discovered this bag below. I frequently put teabags in the compost bin. As you can see, the  bag is perfectly intact and would probably remain that way for years.

This is in stark contrast to cotton underwear, which when buried in healthy soil will decompose within a couple of months. See Canada's "Soil Your Undies" campaign.





I haven't buried a pair of underwear in my garden, but in addition to evaluating the health of your soil, this campaign is a reminder that when buying anything you should know how it will be managed at the end of its life. And, when buying tea, choose biodegradable bags, or better yet, make loose leaf tea. It is healthier, tastes better and is better for the environment.

Here is a sampling of the many types of tea infusers on the market

Summer Farro Salad with Artichokes and Cherry Tomatoes

Farro Salad with Artichokes and Tomatoes

 On Friday we returned from an almost two week vacation to Idaho and Montana, so, I wanted to make something simple for a family reunion held two days later. The following recipe was taken from the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho). It makes a large salad which can be served as a side dish for a crowd, or could also be made ahead and pulled out of the refrigerator for a quick meal on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups farro
1 1/2 cups baby spinach
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup plain yogurt
12 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
2 cups artichoke hearts chopped

Bring 8 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil.  Add farro and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain any excess water and spread on a rimmed sheet to cool. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse spinach, basil, sunflower seeds, cheese, garlic and a dash of salt and pepper until smooth. Add oil and yogurt and pulse a few more times. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in farro. Gently stir in tomatoes and artichokes. Sprinkle with Parmesan, chill and serve.

Asparagus Beetles and More

Weather-wise it has been a great Spring for asparagus. We have had very few hot days and adequate rainfall. At the beginning of May it looked like this was going to be my best year yet for harvesting my favorite vegetable.

The asparagus in May were tender and plentiful

Deformed asparagus spears.

However, after a couple pickings, it became apparent that something was wrong. The asparagus became deformed and seemed to be rotting shortly after emerging from the soil. At the same time I began to notice asparagus beetles on the ground and on the plants. In the past I have dealt with asparagus beetles after harvesting is over and the plants have gone to seed. This year I learned that there are two different asparagus beetle pests. The earlier arrival is the common asparagus beetle, or Crioceris asparagi. This beetle arrives as soon as the spears start emerging from the soil and they are extremely destructive. As I looked around the deformed stalks, I saw the beetles crawling on and around the soil. Close up the beetles are colorful, being orange, yellow and black with a geometric pattern on its wings. 

Common Asparagus Beetle

Although I have seen the beetles and their eggs, I have not yet seen any larvae, which is a good. I try to go out daily picking off the beetles and tossing them in a bucket of soapy water and rubbing my fingers along the stalks to remove the eggs. Although it seems like a futile exercise since just as many beetles appear the next day, I know that if I don't do this the numbers will increase and the damage to the plants may severely impact the plants survival and it's ability to produce new spears next year. The second beetle to arrive is the spotted asparagus beetle or Crioceris duodecimpunctata. I noticed a few this morning. They have arrived right on schedule, about three weeks after the common asparagus beetle. The photo at left shows a pair of spotted asparagus beetles mating. The life cycle of asparagus beetles is between 23 and 37 days with three generations born in a year. Interrupting this cycle as much as possible is key to keeping populations under control.

I have learned that the adult beetles will overwinter in the hollow stems of old asparagus plants. This fall I will make sure that once the plants are no longer green, to cut the stalks down to ground level.

Unfortunately, beetles are not my only worry for the asparagus plants. In the beginning of May, I realized that I also have a slug problem.

Where does this slug think it's going?

Probably right inside.

I have not noticed them in the past couple of weeks, so hopefully, now that temperatures have warmed, the moist conditions that encourage slugs will be diminished. I will also avoid watering in the evening, physically remove these creatures when I find them (although picking off beetles is more palatable than removing sticky slimy slugs), and space my plantings to encourage adequate air flow. Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate as well with weather that is not too cool or damp.

Risotto with Asparagus and Peas

With Asparagus being the first vegetable to harvest in the garden I am always excited to find new recipes. This one is perfect when the season says it's Spring, yet the evenings are still chilly. Adapted from CookieandKate.com

Ingredients: 
1 bunch fresh asparagus
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced. 
4 - cups broth + 1 cup water
1/4 cup short grain brown rice
1 1/4 cups arborio rice
1 cup frozen peas (or fresh if you have them)
1/2 cup grated Parmeson
1/2 cup white wine
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes
Lemon zest from 1/2 lemon and juice

-Preheat oven 375 degrees.
-Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and a dash of salt. Stir until softened.  Lower heat and add garlic, saute for 1 minute.
-Add 3 cups broth, 1 cup water and bring to boil. Remove from heat, add rice, cover and place in oven. Bake for 55 minutes.
-Trim and slice asparagus length-wise. Place on greased baking sheet. Brush with 1 Tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
-After 55 minutes, add asparagus to oven on lower rack.
- Add peas to risotto and return covered to the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
-Remove Dutch oven. Roast asparagus until done - 5 to 10 more minutes.
-Add 1 cup broth and remaining ingredients to risotto on the stove. Stir until cream. Add asparagus and serve.

Bluebirds and Swallows

Now that the outdoors has come alive with the singing of birds in the morning and frogs in the evening, there is no shortage of Spring-time activities of which to participate. The only problem is deciding where to go. This past weekend, I went on a bird walk at the Massabesic Audubon Center with my daughter-in-law and baby grand-daughter, who at eight months, was told that she was the youngest birder that they had ever had on a walk. One is never too young to appreciate the wonders of nature.

Participants of all ages learning about bird habitats at the Massabesic Audubon Center

It was a picture perfect day.The property has bird houses set up throughout their open fields to attract Bluebirds and swallows. It was like a mini subdivision.

This Tree Swallow is calling #88 home

This Bluebird has claimed #90

Both the Bluebird and Tree Swallow are blue, but the Tree Swallow has a white breast and the Bluebird's is orange. Over the next couple of weeks, both the swallows and Bluebirds will be laying stake to their new homes with some, having already settled in.

Birdhouses line the path to the woods.

After observing the birds in the field, we walked down to a small beaver pond where the Audubon folks had bagels and coffee set out. Here we learned about the ecological value of beavers as they create ponds and wetlands that support a wide variety of wildlife. We saw a water snake in the pond, and a Wood Duck flew overhead.

Milne Pond

Our final stop was a vernal pool in the woods. It was rich with vegetation.

Marsh Marigold

Ferns growing on a tussock

Soon we were back at the center and although we didn't see many birds, the walk was enjoyable and provided an opportunity to appreciate the awakening of new life in Spring.