heidih

Walked out to my 2 potted tomatoes this morning....2 days ago there were lots of blooms and greenies....today completely decimated by ginormous tomato worms. I pulled them out. Despite the grasshopper invasion a bit ago and now the voracious caterpillars - it was worth it to get some delicious totally tasty 'maters. No images cuz they were almost impressive, but way creepy

My reaction to assembling a list was based on the plants being ones we as backyard growers might not have considered or known about.

I am fascinated by the perennial vegetables - perhaps someone could keep a list and we can warehouse it somewhere on the site?

Shortly after the horror of 9/11 we were inNew Orleans and I had booked a bayou canoe trip. The very seasoned guide was intent on stopping at what he considered a superb po'boy place. Little shack in the back of beyond - but it was closed! Number 2 on his list was a gas station - my first & best shrimp po'boy - dressed - eaten on the water.

I'm with Andie on the microwave though the little toaster oven runs neck to neck with it.

the garden variety vanilla- a staple in my Austrian recipes from way back

Well if it is a salad bar - it seems more to refer that you "craft" it yourself?

from a European perspective see link to Dr Oetker https://www.google.com/search?q=dr+oetker+blancmange&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS755US755&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif1rfjhoXWAhVT6Z8KHYn5CXQQsAQINA&biw=696&bih=378

Blue_Dolphin- so the dressing was Melissa's? I saw the advert for that mix and it intrigued me as I cook for one and buying the various ingredients makes little sense. Looks like a crema on there. Was there also a salsa? Seems like that would have obviated need for the heavy dressing.

I think the incredible volume of sales at the local ethnic markets allows for incredible prices. The produce costs are crazy low

Walked over to Korean market between classes and stumbled on this oxtail display

That does it! I have to order a book for school so I will justify the purchase as getting me to the free shipping point if I add it to my order. Eager to play along and I love the storybook aspect.

I saw chomped foliage on my tomatoes and suspected those nasty caterpillars - nope - grasshoppers! Hard to control - gonna yank them out if it gets much worse grrrr

Grrr - had a full flat of pumpkins sprout within a week and sport several true leaves within another week - done for local botanic garden. Only to find out all mowed down within day of ground planting. Probably cotton til bunnies.... Next flat planted and they will cover/protect

I've only had that tapioca starch bundle once from a Vietnamese friend who made it -At first it was odd but I've caught myself thinking bout it over the years

I see the wild fennel starting to flower in sunny spots and m planning to finally collect pollen this season. Will update you.

I just put them in a pan with the aromatics on a medium flame and as they soften a bit from the moisture release I add in my other ingredients. A pretty quick treatment. Have not had a mush issue.

bringing down the level - stepmom makes them with loads of garlic and some cream of mushroom soup. I like them with green onions, garlic, peanut butter, roasted peanuts, ginger & tamarind - soft cooked egg smushed in

Here we get King's Hawaiian bread in various forms. Very yellow, soft and slightly sweet. The kids used to like the slider type ones for salty savory pickly sandwiches - a nice range of tastes. I lightly toasted them. They have a huge manufacturing and restaurant business locally in Torrance.

Yes but thinking some sugar & acid like lemon juice best added before freezing - better preservation result

Thanks for the link to the show - was any of the feedback surprising? Sure the sleepless night wear on you, but hang in there -you've got both a great concept and stellar execution!

Encouraging progress in local waters http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/catalina-sea-ranch-an-offshore-shellfish-ranch-opens-outside-los-angeles-8385754

My favorite organic farmer at our small close-by farmers market was selling his quite large Reed avocados last Sunday for $1/each. He counseled us that unlike the Hass, the Reed is ready when you see the slightest shift in color. My rock hard one from last Sunday, sitting in the fruit bowl with nectarines and cherry tomatoes, was perfect for dinner last night. Creamy and flavorful

I finally got some flowers on the 2 potted tomatoes and....June gloom with foggy mornings set in Grrrr- One tomato is about golf ball size and I saw a racoon going to check it out this morning. What!?!

I keep a pot and just scissor what I need to add a fresh garlic taste to anything I am cooking; treating them like parsley as a standard as the dish is finishing snip-in/on..