Harvest Monday - February 28, 2011

I don't have a harvest this week, but I'll show you how I use some of my preserved harvests from last year.  Here's a Chinese green been dish that's quite popular among Chinese, I use filet beans instead of the usual yardlong beans, but the taste is same.

Frozen and pickled green beans from last year, one pickled pepper and one fresh.

Green beans, red chile, saute seasoned ground pork, saute chopped onion.

Cook green beans with chile until tender, then toss all ingredients together and stir fry 2-3 minutes.

(Optional: finish off with a dash of oyster sauce and sesame oil.)

Serve as side dish, goes well with rice and noodles. 

Drop by Daphne's Dandelions host of Harvest Monday to see more garden harvests. 

Spring Seedlings for 2011

These are ready to be planted out, but there's a snow storm coming our way,

hopefully it's not a big one so they don't have to wait too long for their permanent home.

The lower left corner is Cherokee Purple tomatoes, the seeds were from SSE 2007.

It amazes me that 100% germinated, some good seeds!

Harvest Monday - February 21, 2011

Tatsoi and Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi Kimchi

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions, head over there to see more garden harvests by other gardeners.

The "Other Pasta" - Green Bean Vermicelli, Noodles etc. 粉絲﹐粉皮

Dried bean vermicelli, sheets (cut), and noodles.  Some people call them "glass noodles".

 They look something like this depending on the brand.

Soften the noodles in cold water for about 10-20 minutes or drop the dried noodles into soup/stew.

Look like this after boiling in water/soup, neutral taste as in any plain pasta and rice.

Bean noodles are frequently used in hot pot (Asian fondue), soups, stews, stir frys, and salads. 

Vermicelli can also be used as filler and binding agent in meatballs, dumplings, meat loaf/pie etc.   

Recipe for this mixed mushroom salad or appetizer is here.

Harvest Monday - February 14, 2011

Spinach and Carrots

Mustard greens from last week's harvest.

Xian Garlic and sad looking Beauty Heart radishes on the right.

Shangdong Garlic

Big brother kohlrabi, there are couple smaller ones still hanging in there.

Tatsoi, overwintering this vegetable is so easy, I have to grow more of it later.

Our weather is finally warming up a bit after 3 weeks of frigid cold air, most of the brassicas did well, some of the chards came through, and some die.  All of the garlic planted in containers or under covered tunnels have sprouted except Spanish Roja, maybe it has to do with early/late varieties?  Maybe some garlic require more heat? 



I pulled all those sad looking Beauty Heart radishes, it was too cold for them and show signs of bolting, the roots were small and hairy.  The winter radish daikon seems to be fine for now, with the weather warming and longer daylight they probably will bolt soon.  Note to self:  start winter radish seeds in late summer and harvest before hard freeze.  (Duh~~didn't gardening books mention this already?)


Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions head over there to see more garden harvest.



 
 

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Paper White Narcissus

Happy Chinese New Year 4709 - Year of the Rabbit

 

 

Traditional savory cake - daikon cake

To serve - slice, pan fry, serve warm with or without homemade sauce.

 

Traditional sweet new year cake, with or without red beans.

To serve - slice, dip in egg batter and pan fry, serve warm.

 

 Tea with sweet red bean cake, serve warm or at room temp.

Mini sweet red bean cake.

To serve - warm or room temp.

Click here to read more about Chinese New Year.