the (community) garden plot

this year i've joined the community garden in eagle rock.  i've lived in my house for 3 years, and have tried and failed to grow an edible garden in my yard.  i'm pretty sure my failure has to do with the massive black walnut tree that is growing in my neighbors yard, and the black walnut seedlings that pop up all over my yard.  its a long story, but basically most veggies won't grown near a black walnut tree.  even a seed or a leave can ruin the soil.  it only took me 3 years to figure out why my tomatoes kept dying.

now i've got a nice little plot at the community garden.  during the fall/winter i planted a cover crop, and now i've planted in the plot!

this is my plot just after planting for spring.

2 weeks after planting.  everything is looking good!

3 types of tomatoes: carmello, sun cherry (3 little tomatoes already growing), big boy 

there are cilantro seeds in this planter

parsley and curly kale

japanese eggplant

in the strip of dirt along the edge i planted 4 different kinds of sunflowers.

i'm crossing my fingers for success this year.  it's been 3 weeks and so far everything is looking good!  my plants have grown, the sunflowers and cilantro is starting to sprout!  i also planted some japanese mustard greens.  i am planning on planting something else, maybe some chard.  maybe some strawberries.  maybe a zucchini?  i'll be posting weekly updates on the garden!  

and let the record show - fashion people can do things that don't involve fashion!   

pumpkin chocoloate chip squares + halloween costume

happy day after halloween (a.k.a november 1st).  if you haven't overdosed on sugar yet, i'm here to help with some pumpkin chocolate chip squares!  but first, my halloween costume:

am i the only person who saw frankenweenie?  cause NO ONE knew what i was dressed as.  it was kinda depressing, especially with all the work i put into carlos' costume!  whatever, on to the treats!  these are perfect for curing depression caused by no one knowing your halloween costume. 

pumpkin chocolate chip squares modified from this recipe
12-24 squares, depending on the size

ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree - i made my own but you can use canned... i guess
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

step 1: preheat oven to 350.  butter and flour a 9"x13" pan.

step 2: combine flour through salt in a medium size bowl and set aside.

step 3: combine butter and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer.  once combined, add egg and vanilla extract.  mix till combined.

step 4: add the pumpkin puree and combine using an electric mixer.  the recipe i used warned not to worry if the mixture looks curdled, but i didn't think it looked curdled.  maybe if you used canned pumpkin.

step 5: fold in chocolate chips.  spread out the batter evenly in the pan.  bake for 35-40 mins.  let cool and cut.

these are a great treat to bring to work or a party, and pretty easy to whip up!  i've actually already made two batches to take to work.  next up with my pumpkin puree will be a savory dish.  whats your favorite way to eat pumpkin? 

homemade salsa pt.3 - salsa verde

the third and final salsa in my salsa series also happens to be my favorite salsa, salsa verde.  this green salsa gets its color from tomatillos - a husked fruit that kinda resembles what i imagine the offspring of a tomato and chili pepper to be.  

one of my favorite things about making salsa verde, depending on if you use raw or cooked tomatillos you will get a different flavor and color.  for this recipe, i boiled my tomatillos and jalapenos for a few minutes, but you can use the same recipe with raw tomatillos!  raw tomatillos will produce a brighter green, medium salsa.  boiled or roasted tmatiollos will produce a pale green salsa that is mild.

salsa verde
makes about 24 oz.

ingredients
1 lbs tomatillos
3-4 jalapenos
1/2 white onion, chopped
1 avocado, cubed
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 lime, juiced
salt to taste

 
step 1: fill a large pot with water & bring to a boil.  add tomatillos and jalapenos, boil for 3-5 minutes.  place in blender (or food processor... mine broke!!) and blend to your desired texture.  i blended the tomatillos and jalapenos to a smooth consistency.  let cool.  pour into a large mixing bowl.  

step 2: chop the onion and cilantro.  add to pureed tomatillo mixutre.

step 3: add the lime juice.

step 4: cut the avocado.  add to the bowl and mix it all together.  salt to taste.  maybe you won't need any.  maybe you like salt and add a lot.  its up to you.  

i love salsa verde with some fresh made tortilla chips, or with potato tacos!  my favorite restruant salsa verde is at la cabinita, and my favorite store bought (if it counts as store bought) is from figueroa produce.  do you like salsa verde?  have you ever made it, and do you have any tips?  

see my other salsa recipes: pico de gallo and guacamole!

homemade salsa pt. 2 - guacamole

in the second installment of my salsa series i'm sharing my guacamole recipe!  while you might not consider guacamole to actually be a "salsa" (it seems to be in its own category), its is a kind of sauce and salsa means sauce in spanish.  so guacamole is a kind of salsa.  for my purposes.  (wikipedia also says its a sauce, and if its on the internet it must be true.)   

guacamole
makes about 24 oz.

ingridents
2 avocados, peeled
2 roma tomatoes, seeded & chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 jalapeno, seeded & minced
1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
juice of 1 - 2 limes, depending on your taste preference
salt to taste

step 1:  cut avocados in half & remove the seed.  remove the skin from the flesh.  my favorite technique - using this awesome gadget!  throw into a bowl.

step 2:  chop the tomato & remove the seeds.  chop the onion.  chop & seed the jalapeno.  chop the garlic (or use my FAVORITE kitchen gadget!). chop the cilantro.  put each ingrident into the bowl after you have chopped it!

step 3: juice the lime & add to bowl.  using either a fork or a masher, mash & mix to combine ingredients to your preferred consistency.

and that's guacamole.  so easy, so tasty - you'll be asking yourself why you ever bought pre-made guacamole!  a delish variation - use roasted garlic instead of fresh.  in case you missed my first installment of my salsa series, you can see my pico de gallo recipe here!  one last recipe coming your way next week, and its my favorite!

homemade salsa pt. 1 - pico de gallo

when life gives you jalepenos, make salsa.  or something like that.  

a few days ago my best friends' mom gave me a big bag of jalapenos that she grew which was AMAZING.  but i got home and suddenly realized i needed to figure out something to do with the peppers.  naturally salsa popped into my head, because there is basically no salsa better than homemade salsa.  have you made salsa before??  because its sooo much better than stuff that comes in a jar.  from the store.  did i mention how easy it is?  just chop some stuff and throw it in a bowl?  yep.  just try it.  you won't be sorry!!   
 

pico de gallo
makes about 24 oz.

ingredients
4 roma tomatoes, chopped & seeded - i like these because they are easy to seed
1 medium white onion, chopped - should be around the same size as one tomato
1 clove of garlic, minced
1-3 jalapenos, seeded & minced - my jalapenos were smaller so i used three.  if you have a larger pepper you can use one.
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

step 1: chop tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, garlic & cilantro.  throw into a bowl.

step 2: squeeze the lime juice into the bowl.  add salt.  stir to combine.

and that's it!  get some chips & eat it.  or make a burrito.  or a burrito bowl.  one tip - you may want to wear gloves when chopping the jalapeno.  i didn't and my hands ended up burning for 4 HOURS.  or maybe it was 5.  it was painful.  i googled different remedies:  rub olive oil on your hands, rub oil mixed with sugar, cover your hands in calamine lotion & let it dry, soak your hands in milk.  nothing helped.  the most relief was from the milk, but i think its mostly because the milk was so cold.  just please wear gloves.   i've chopped peppers before, but this is the first time my hands burned.  i will always wear gloves from now on! 

this is the first in my salsa series, i've still got plenty of jalapenos!  what is your favorite salsa?  any tips or variations on pico de gallo?  let me know in the comments!