Spiderwort

SPIDERWORT: Don't overlook this lovely plant. Here in central Texas, there are a host of edible plants that go unnoticed. It's hard to miss this one in my gardens here in Bastrop. They create a dramatic setting when you see the buds unfurl into masses of purple, blue and pink in the distance. We use this plant in all forms...the leaves we eat in egg dishes ,soups, and stir fry. The flowers I crystallize or use alone in desserts, as decoration, as well as added nutrition. They also make a lovely presentation when added last minute to salads! I make a tincture of all parts. This plant has been used in the treatment of kidney disorders. The mucilage content in the plants make it excellent  to eat for intestinal problems. The greens are high in calcium and iron.

let me take the mystery out of breadmaking

This is the easiest bread recipe I've ever tried. It was first told to me through an article in Mother Earth News and breadmaking for me has been great in result. As a busy mother you'd think I wouldn't be able to have fresh bread made everyday, but alas , it's so easy ! All you need is 5 minutes , really !

If you can remember these number you'll never be without the recipe

6-3-3-13

for 6 cups water, 3 tablespoos salt, 3 tablespoons yeast, and 13 cups flour (whoa)

If you divide this in half , you will have two very nice loaves. Or you can make the whole thing and save some dough in the fridge for later use. The longer it sits the more sour the dough becomes.

I'm at the point where I know  how to make bread dough just by using my eyes. Though this takes time and practice.

Here's what you do:

In a large mixing bowl pour in your all purpose flour. (I use a mixture of 1/4-1/3 all-purpose and  the rest  spelt. I also add 1/3 cup of ground flax seeds... just get creative!)

Add your salt and yeast ( I use Red Star yeast and kosher sea salt)

Next make a well in the center, add your hot water (hot to your touch) and with you wooden spoon mix the dough until completely wet. Cover with a clean damp towel and let it sit for a couple hours. 

Now, I've experimented with kneading vs.  not kneading and the results are in -

it makes no difference in the end product. Seriously.

Soo, butter up a couple loaf pans and pour in the dough with a 2 inch space left in the pans. The dough will rise considerably. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour or so. My method is when I can smell it , it's usually done . I also turn it once to make sure all sides are golden brown. You can also knock on it for that hollow sound - it's done then.

I also really like making round ones . So I use my trusty pyrex mixing bowl- the small size. Leaving a 1 inch head room I scatter sesame/ flax seeds on top and bake it til golden brown . These pictures show the end result...tasty , wonderfully wholesome homemade bread.

This dough also works great for pizza crusts. I'll post on pizza at a later date. 

greens, seeds and herbs oh my

This winter we've been cooking a lot of greens and eating lots of seeds and cold hardy herbs.  You can see Alchemy has been  harvesting. Her favorite thing to do on a sunny winter day is to gather various plants in her baskets and pretend to cook them in her own special way.  Here are a couple of recipes you might want to try this season.

Mediterranean style Collard and turnip green soup

1 cup of white or pinto beans, cooked

1 bunch of fresh greens, chopped

2 cups chopped onion

3 celery ribs, chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

6 cups of vegetable or chicken stock

1 tablespoon olive oil

Fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano , parsley or cilantro

pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1. On medium heat , put oil in soup pot and add the onions. Give them a little pinch of salt.Next add in your celery, coriander, and cumin seeds. Let simmer , stirring occasionally until onions are transparent.

2. Add your crushed garlic cloves and pour over your veggie/chicken stock. 

3. Add bay leaves and beans.

4. Cook for 1/2 hour on low heat , then add your chopped fresh greens. Let these cook for another 20 minutes. 

5. Season with your favorite fresh herbs  and fresh ground pepper right before serving.

Carrot / Raisin salad with yogurt and seeds

5 freshly dug up carrots

1/3 cup yogurt

1/4 cup maple syrup or raw honey

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

handful of raisins

1. Shred carrots.

2. Mix maple/ honey , raisins, and yogurt and add to shredded carrots.

3. Toast sunflower and coriander seeds in olive oil in a skillet on medium heat until golden brown and aromatic. 

4. let cool a bit then add to carrot mixture.

These are healthy and tasty meals that really celebrate the cool season here in Texas. Enjoy!

seed starting

 If you plant a little you will have a lot in the the coming years. Here you can see Alchemy harvesting french chervil..but I didn't plant it. It grew nearby last year and shot seeds all over the labyrinth, she's harvesting from the pathway. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow . Right now you can start seeds of many herbs and veggies. So get out in this wonderful winter weather and start that delicious culinary garden you've been dreaming of. Take back control of your food and ensure you and your loved ones have something delicious and healthy on your table. 

Plant these seeds NOW

parsley

chervil

cilantro

carrots

parsnip

beets

turnips

spinach 

lettuce

garden peas

onions (sets)

chives

take cuttings of:

mint

rosemary

sage

oregano

thyme

More herbs for drying

pictured: 

Top- Borage ;Dukat Dill, Bronze Fennel; Oregano; Stinging Nettles

   I've decided to dry some culinary herbs along with the medicinal ones. I started with the Shepherds Purse and added Nettles, Borage, Oregano, Dill , and Bronze Fennel. They're almost through the drying process. The Nettles and Borage will be combined to create a nourishing tea for all us women (men too!) who are in need of Calcium, Magnesium  and Potassium. It's particularly helpful during nursing and pregnancy when you need an ample supply of these nutrients. Mature women and people who get muscle cramps, charlie horse, or other types of tendonitis would benefit from taking this tea daily. 

The culinary herbs I will combine to make a spice blend suitable for adding to salad dressings, marinades ,fish, meats,  cooked veggies, biscuits and bread too!

Herb drying fun

My friend just got a beautiful excalibur 9 tray food dehydrator and she has  generously lent it to me for use in exchange for some babysitting.  My first project was to take all the wild shepherds purse and dry it so that I can make a fresh tincture from the herb. This herb is often referred to as mother's heart because the little seed pods look just like little hearts. This herb can be used during the birth of a child to prevent loss of blood. It's also used for heavy menstruation. I'm preparing this tincture specifically for my friend who loaned me the dehydrator. She has a history of blood loss - in her last birth she lost a lot of blood. It's a good herb to have on hand in the occurence of any situation where clotting of blood is needed. The herb contains a high concentration of vitamin K which is the vitamin sometimes administered to newborns after birth in the incidence that the baby might lack this essential vitamin.

our new pet!

This is our new bird! We had to let the chickens go after several months of no eggs. They're living happily with our friends just down the road. Our new little frizzle headed rooster is so nice to watch. He just moseys around the yard(he doesn't crow) and lays on the porch in the sun like a sleepy cat. I love him. He has yet to be named. We're leaving that up to Alchemy.