Vegetable Potato Korean Style Pancakes

Vegetable Potato Korean Style Pancakes

Here is a quick and easy light meal. Perfect for any day of the week.

Pancake Batter
1/2 cup flour
1 Potato peeled and shredded
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup ice water
1 large egg
1/4 cup kimchi or other fermented substitute 
4 cups grated/chopped vegetables (I used carrots, kale, green pepper and spinach) 
4 scallions, sliced thin
2 Tablespoons oil

Dipping Sauce
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon grated giner
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

In a large bowl sift flour, salt and baking powder. In separate bowl combine potatoes, vegetables and three-quarters of the scallions, saving the rest for garnish. Whisk together water, kimchi and eggs and add to vegetable mixture. Add to dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Heat heavy skillet with oil. When hot, scoop about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until crispy on each side (about 3 minutes each.) Transfer to an oven safe platter and keep in warm oven while you cook the remaining pancakes.

Whisk together dipping sauce ingredients and serve on the side with the pancakes.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk (Juvenile)

Our back yard has become very quiet this week. After months of almost continuous calling from a family of Red-shouldered hawks, they appear to have moved on, although one has occasionally reappeared to circle over our yard. When I first heard the loud vocalization of this bird, I did not know what type of hawk it was. After several days of incessant calling, I decided to walk through our woods to see if I could catch a glimpse. Within a few minutes, a hawk flew right in front of me and then I spotted another perched stately on a tree. Although it must have known that I was there, it didn't appear threatened by my presence. Since I had seen two birds, I figured that they must have a nest nearby. It was not easy to see, but I eventually found the nest, sitting high in a tree across from a small pond.

Nest for Red-shouldered Hawks

I read that they like to live in forests with an open canopy and that they hunt from perches below the canopy or at the edge of a pond. The location of this nest was perfect for them.  The Birds of America by John James Audubon shows a picture of a Red-shouldered hawk hunting in their preferred habitat. The caption reads that they are beneficial since their diet is "largely composed of destructive rodents." The Cornell Lab All About Birds website reads that they also eat toads, snakes and crayfish.

Drawing of Red-shouldered Hawk from Audubon's The Birds of America

Although they can look similar to Broad-winged hawks, the distinct difference is their call. You have most likely heard a Red-shouldered hawk in the woods. Once you can identify its call you will probably realize how often you have heard them.




According to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Red-shouldered hawks have shown a decline in population from 1966 - 2003. There are most likely various contributing factors, but one cause, as with many other species is habitat loss due to human's changing the landscape. Where these hawks were breeding in our back yard, they were surrounding by houses on four sides. We we have kept the woods intact as has one other neighbor. The other two property owners have cleared the trees for backyard playing areas and a swimming pool. These incremental changes, when the occur across the landscape can have wide-spread impacts to a species as a whole.We should all keep this in mind as we design and maintain our homes.

Grilled Salmon and Asparagus with Salad

Grilled Salmon and Asparagus

With summer comes grilling and lots of salads. This recipe, adapted from Rachael Ray and The Food Network Kitchen includes both as well as my favorite vegetable. It was very dry earlier this which impacted my asparagus production, but it still provided enough for a meal, every two to three days.

This recipe serves two.

Orange vinaigrette dressing
1/2 large orange
1 Tablespoon chopped shallots
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper

Whisk together ingredients for vinaigrette and set aside.

Prepare Salmon and Asparagus:
1-bunch asparagus spears
2 (4-6 oz) salmon fillets
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove to a plate. Brush salmon with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Place on pre-heated grill and cook about 5 minutes each side, more or less to your preference.

For Salad
Assorted salad greens
1/4 cup Kalamata olives sliced in half
1/2 large orange
1/4 cup sliced red onion
salt and pepper

While salmon is grilling, combine salad ingredients and divide onto two plates. Just before the salmon is done, coat asparagus in olive oil, lightly salt and add to grill. Cook for about 3 minutes, turning frequently. Serve on plate with salmon, salad and vinaigrette. 

Take a Hike

Champney Falls Trailhead

It has been awhile since I have been hiking in the White Mountains and it was great to get back on the trail. On Sunday my friend Sue and I hiked up to Middle Sister in Albany, New Hampshire. The hike started on the Champney Falls Trail, which is one of the approaches to popular Mt. Chocorua. The parking lot off the Kancamaugus Highway  was full when we arrived and I suspect that most people were either hiking to the falls or up to the more popular Chocorua.

The lower portion of the trail to Champney and Pitcher falls would make a great hike for families of all ages as it is only about 1.5 miles one way with an easy grade. The relatively dry spring we have had made for easy stream crossings. The falls were probably not running as strong as typical in spring, but there was enough water to still be impressive.

A series of cascades form Champney Falls

Sue had hiked here before and knew that in order to see Pitcher Falls, you need to cross over Champney Brook and enter a narrow gorge. It's a pretty cool spot and would be a great place to cool off on a hot day.

Pitcher Falls on the right

After viewing the falls, we connected back up to the Champney Falls trail and began to climb more steadily. It wasn't long before we reached the cut-off to the Middle Sister trail. Along this trail are some of the finest views of the hike.

Views from the Middle Sister Cut-off

In addition to some great views, the cut-off trail also had a nice patch of mountain laurel, which were in bloom.

Mountain Laurel

The cool, breezy weather made for a great day of hiking, keeping the bugs away, but also cut short our stay at the top since there really wasn't a good spot to sit out of the wind. There is a cool foundation, which once house a fire groundhouse, but it provided no shelter since the stairs just lead to about a twenty foot drop-off.

Steps lead an opening at the top.

At the base of the foundation is a door, posted with a notice that there are archeological resources in the vicinity that are protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906. This fire lookout site is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. It was in operation from 1927 to 1942. I am not sure if the sign is to protect the artifacts of the fire lookout, or if there are other archeological resources at this site. 

Door at base of fire lookout

Antiquities Act Sig

After enjoying the great views, which include Mount Chocorua in the distance, we returned to the cut-off trail to enjoy lunch.

The ridge to Mount Chocorua

I would rank this hike in the top tier of favorites as it offers a lot of variety for a relatively short duration and is only moderately strenuous.It is listed as one of the "52 with a View" and there is no question as to why.

Pasta with Beans and Spring Vegetables

Radiatore Pasta with Cannelini Beans and Spring Vegetables

Ingredients
2 cups Radiatore pasta
2 medium red potatoes cut into 2 inch cubes
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
1 bunch asparagus
1 cup peas
1 leek rinsed well
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 can cannellini beans
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
chopped parsley and chives
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper 
Crushed red pepper (optional)

Now that warmer weather is here (it was over 90 degrees today) that means that meal prep needs to be simple and quick. This recipe is made mostly on a sheet pan and putting it together is a breeze.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray sheet pan with olive oil. In a bowl, toss potatoes with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, then spread on pan and bake for 10 minutes. Slice asparagus into thirds, and cut leek lengthwise, then slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Toss with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and add to sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until done, stirring occasionally.

Cook pasta. When pasta is done, turn off water and add peas and let sit for a minute before rinsing.

Melt butter in a large pan, add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add beans, parsley and chives and heat through. Add baked veggies, pasta and peas. Stir in remaining olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper to taste. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan and additional parsley and chives, if desired.

Spring Birding

White-throated sparrow

With few other activities allowed, I have spent a lot of  time outside with my binoculars, walking fields and woods looking for birds, especially those returning from their spring migration. May is a great month to look for the warblers, many that you can only see this time of year. This blog highlights a few, but also other birds that I have observed so far this spring.

The most common warbler this year is the Yellow-rumped or Myrtle warbler. The other day there were more than I could count in the trees and brush around Horseshoe Pond in Concord, New Hampshire. They were not shy and would freely come out into the open as if saying "look at me, I am so pretty!".

Male Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) warbler

Female Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) warbler

Distinctive Yellow rump

Every so often, I get lucky with my camera and capture a clear in-motion picture

Yellow-rumped warbler in flight.

A bit more elusive, I was excited to get a photo of a Black-throated green warbler.

Black-throated green warbler

Although warblers have been my focus lately, for some, the larger birds are more interesting.For example,  two Brown thrashers startled us as they romped around in the brush  at Riverland Conservation area in Canterbury. We heard them tossing tossing leaves into the air before we saw them, so it's not hard to discern how they got their name.

Brown thrasher 

The Rose-breasted Grosebeak is very colorful and a beautiful bird to listen to as well. Like Robins, they love to sing (click on the picture below.)

Rose-breasted Grosebeak

One of the most impressive sites is seeing a flock of Cedar waxwings. You will seldom see just one. On Mother's Day I counted sixteen in one tree. Like all of us these days, they are always wearing a mask.

A flock of cedar waxwings

Cedar Waxwing

As the weather warms, insects become more prevalent. Although a nuisance for us, they provide needed sustenance for birds directly, but they also support fish and other aquatic life, which in turn are eaten by larger birds such as this Kingfisher.

Belted Kingfisher

Great Blue Heron's are not uncommon, but are always impressive. In spite of their large size they can sometimes be overlooked because they keep very still when stalking fish. When a fish comes close enough, they quickly lower their neck and grab it with their large beak.

A Great blue heron standing still as a statue

Many raptors hunt fish. In April, Ospreys can be seen near waterbodies as they return from Central and South America. This bird below flew directly over our heads and then perched on a dead tree overlooking a pond. They are great fishers, diving from as high as 100 feet to catch their prey (NationalGeographic.com)

Osprey

One raptor, that has made a successful comeback, after becoming practically extinct in New Hampshire, is the Bald Eagle. They were once federally endangered due to the widespread use of the chemical DDT. Their return to the landscape, is an example of the success of the Endangered Species Act. They were removed as a federally listed species in 2007, but they remain legally protected in New Hampshire. It is no longer uncommon to spot them year round, especially near the Merrimack River.

A bald eagle takes flight at Knights Meadow Marsh in Webster, N.H.

New Hampshire has some great birding areas, but I cannot forgot that I often don't need to leave our yard to observe some fantastic birds, sometimes when I least expect it. The other day, while I was refilling a thistle feeder, both a Common Yellowthroat and a Prairie warbler landed in a juniper bush right next to me. Of course I didn't have my camera with me, but the next morning the Prairie warbler was back and I took the photo below from inside the house.

Prairie Warbler in a Juniper bush.

I put a hummingbird feeder out on May 1st, which was probably a little early, especially since we got snow on May 9th. However, two weeks later, the first male Ruby-throated humming bird showed up. The females will follow shortly.

The first Ruby-throated hummingbird of the season

 After seeing a friend post a picture of a Baltimore Oriole on Facebook, I decided to set out some orange slices to try and attract them. It took about four days, but it worked!

Baltimore oriole

Typically there are lots of expert led bird-walks in May, but this year, with the Coronovirus pandemic, the casual birder has been left on their own. I still need a lot more practice to be able to quickly identify many birds in the field.  But, if I am lucky enough to snap a picture, I can try and identify it later.To help me with my identifications, I use the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds; the Cornell lab's All About Birds website and their accompanying Merlin Bird App. With Merlin you can either describe the basic categories of the bird, or you can upload a photo, and it will give you a list of  possible choices. The app is great to put on your phone to make quick identifications. It can also be helpful to check eBird and see what birds have recently been sighted in your area. I will be glad when I can once again wander the trails with fellow birders, but for now, I am just grateful to be able to get outside and enjoy our feathered friends.
 

Earth Day 2020

Daffodils and Snow-Earth Day 2020

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1970. You can be forgiven if you were not aware. It is hard to read about anything other than daily infection rates, death tolls, and when we are going to reopen the economy. But today, we are facing an environmental crisis just as significant as what was occurring fifty years ago. Rivers may not be catching fire and most people know that the outside of their car window is not a dumpster. However, the effects of a changing climate are becoming more apparent every year. We grieved for the people of the Bahamas following the destruction of hurricane Dorian last August and we watched in shock as the wildfires of Australia destroyed millions of acres, thousands of homes and billions of wild animals earlier this year. Yes natural disasters will happen, including pandemics, however climate change will only exacerbate these problems, accelerating their frequency and intensity. Now, more than ever we need to demand change as millions of people did in 1970. During our current global health crisis, businesses and industries have been shut down as people have been ordered or encouraged to stay in their homes. And the economic consequences have been devastating, with record high unemployment and unprecedented demand on local food banks. However, on a global scale we are also realizing significant reductions in fossil fuel emissions as a result of temporarily closed factories, cancelled air travel and more people taking to the street on bike or foot instead of cars.

When we discuss reopening the economy, we should not return to life as it was. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course of history. Yes, people need to get back to work, but we should do it in a way that results in a new greener future with clean energy and environmental protections in place so that people can be proud to celebrate the centennial of Earth Day fifty years from now.