Used in cooking since 600 B.C, turmeric is the root of a tropical plant related to GINGER. Though native to the Orient, this spice is now also cultivated in India and the Caribbean. It has a bitter, pungent flavor and an intense yellow-orange color. In modern cuisine, it is used mainly to add both flavor and color to food. Popular in East Indian cooking and almost always used in CURRY preparations. It is the primary ingredient in MUSTARD and is what gives American-style prepared mustard its bright yellow color. Powdered versions are widely available in supermarkets. As with all spices, it should be stored in a cool, dark place for…
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- Beef, Container Gardening, Edible Gardening, Food For Better Health, Grill It!, Main Course, Recipes, Salads, Vegetables
End of Summer Salad
Although the calendar indicates it is the end of summer, Mother Nature in South Carolina is not paying attention. Yesterday it was 92º and today it will be the same, nevertheless, most farmers’ markets are closing down or will be in the next two weeks. This end of summer celebration, because I hate the hot weather, was perfect for dinner, after finishing up a hot summer day. Light, refreshing and colorful, if you are a vegetable fan, you will love this easy to prepare salad. Because the vinaigrette is so prominent in this recipe, using good, fresh ingredients is important and will make a difference. Keep in mind, the vinaigrette…
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Williamston Homestead Festival
Attended the Williamston Homestead Festival last weekend. It was a free, family friendly event held at Mineral Spring Park in downtown Williamston. Celebrating a lifestyle of self sufficiency, the festival offered classes, vendors and a seed swap table. Homesteading can be characterized by agriculture, textiles, clothing, or craft work. I wanted to learn more about sustainable plants and crops. Useful Plant Nursery Chuck Marsh, Permaculture designer, of Useful Plant Nursery provided a very informative presentation of plants that provide benefits beyond looking pretty in your landscape. Many plants have medicinal benefits that nature has provided since our Indian, original homesteaders, lived off the land. Marsh explained his concern for the lack…
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Organic Gardening at the Rodale Institute
If you are a home gardener wanting to educate yourself and strive for organic gardening, you need to read up on the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Founded by J.I. Rodale in 1947, the Rodale Institute’s initial mission was to create an example of how organic farming could work. Because of health aliments, Rodale wanted to study the process of organic farming, verses conventional farming and the benefits of going organic. Originally ridiculed for his vision, Rodale is now revered as a pioneer and his grand-daughter and great grand-daughter carry on his legacy, forming the largest multi-media company dedicated to restoring a healthy plant, Rodale Incorporated. History of Rodale When…
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Sprouts, Shoots and Microgreens OH MY!
What are the differences between sprouts, shoots and microgreens? Moving to Greenville and discovering the diverse farmers markets has been enjoyable. However, I have discovered new food I had yet experienced. Sprouts, shoots and microgreens were once only popular in expensive restaurants, prepared by Le Cordon Bleu graduates…now, they are grown by specialty farmers and provide an enhanced flavor and texture to any home cooked dish. Shoots Once the new growth of a plant has formed from seed germination, this “up-growth” is called a stem, also knows as a shoot. Shoots have not yet developed a secondary cell wall, making them delicate, easy to chew and digest by animals. Photo…
