Wordless - Flowering Quince

Disaster Struck

The female rufous hummingbird was last seen protecting her eggs during heavy rain and high winds, unfortunately the nest was knocked off and fell to the ground, she lost one of the two eggs. WM repaired the damage and put the nest back to its original position but the bird decided to abandon the nest and the remaining egg, sad.

Hummingbird Nest

My brother sent me these photos from southern California, a hummingbird built a nest right next to the backdoor of his house.  

Is this a Rufous hummingbird?  She's quite comfortable with my brother
walking around and taking photos of her nest.

Wow~ I'm impressed, it's a beautiful nest,   

she even decorated the exterior with alternate dark and light color "tiles".

Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard - Chocolate Dipped Kumquat

Simmer kumquat in boiling light sugar syrup for 2-3 minutes.

Light syrup:  2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp rum, pinch of salt.

You might want to use simple/heavy syrup if you prefer sweeter taste.

Drain and spread kumquat onto parchment lined cookie sheet, dry in 170F oven or dehydrator for about 2-3 hours until the kumquat is slightly firmed and can be lifted easily.  

Dip kumquat into melted chocolate (I use semi-sweet chocolate) and let it dry a bit before serving.

Drop by The Gardener of Eden host of Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard to see what other gardeners are cooking from their harvests.

Harvest Monday - March 19, 2012

We were visiting California last week and I had a chance to pick some fruits from a kumquat tree I planted many moons ago, the fruits will be made into marmalade/jelly and preserved with salt/sugar for cooking, drinks, or desserts.   

Kumquats and lemons from our old house.

Visit Daphne's Dandelions host of Harvest Monday to see more harvests from around the globe.

Apricot Blossoms and Bees

I'm coming in...........

This one is a harder worker, both of its legs are loaded with pollens.

 

Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard - Winter Vegetable Soup

Last night I cleaned out odds and ends from the refrigerator, add some fresh garden vegetables and made this hearty soup served with homemade Chinese steamed buns mantou (饅頭).

Recipe:
1/2 lb ground chicken or any meat

1  large  onion, diced

4  cloves garlic, minced

2  cups roasted tomatoes

1  small roasted butternut squash
1  bunch kale
1  cauliflower
1  cup cooked farror or pasta

1 cup cooked cannelli beans,
1/2 cup salsa verde or 4-6 tomatillo
2-3 quarts chicken stock

Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste


1.  Saute onion and garlic until soft, saute meat, season with salt and pepper . 
2.  Add roasted tomatoes, squash, salsa verde, and chicken stock, bring to boil and simmer 10-20 minutes until the squash is tender.
3.  Add cauliflower and kale, bring to boil again, simmer couple minutes, taste and adjust seasonings, do not overcooked the greens and cauliflower or they turn mushy.



Putting the soup together is fast and easy , I always have some chicken broth and cooked farror in the frig, most of the vegetables in the pantry were from last year's harvest, except onion, beans, and cauliflower.


Drop by Thursday's Kitchen Cupboard hosted by The Gardener of Eden to see more yummy recipes.