Thursday, June 30, 2011

Food Photography - Cucumber Caprese Salad

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We have delicious tomatoes, but with the added asian cucumbers from a local garden we have a new twist on the traditional caprese salad. This is something I could eat everyday, so I felt like sharing my recipe with you so that you too can enjoy my good eats. bon appétit!

1 tomato

3 slices mozzarella, halved

onion

cucumber

sweet basil

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic

salt and pepper

Monday, June 27, 2011

Aren't we pretty?!

It feels so cool to pick something out of the indoor garden and use it in your meal!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Susan Powter's Eggs

This woman is of my own heart. We come from the same people and there are more of us out there so there you go!
Favorite Quote: It isn't an inconvenience to make food, it's a privilege... The inconvenience is eating their shit!"

The Healing Powers Of the Dandelion

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, What is a weed ?

It is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered...

I recently learned how to use dandelion medicinally and thought I'd share what I learned for educational purposes only since this is a food blog.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Source
Besides their culinary uses as coffee substitute and salad ingredient, the root and leaf of this pervasive weed of the aster family are also used in traditional medicine. Dandelion is grown commercially in both the United States and Europe.
Traditional Use
Both dandelion leaf and root have been used for centuries to treat liver, gall bladder, and kidney ailments, weak digestion, and rheumatism. They are also considered mildly laxative. The fresh root or its preparations are thought to be more potent than the dried root. The leaves have traditionally been used as a diuretic.
Current Status
Dandelion root and leaf are widely used in herbal medicines in Europe. The leaves are diuretic but also high in potassium, so they help to compensate for potassium lost with increased urination. Bitter compounds in the leaves (and root) increased bile secretion in laboratory animals by more than 40 percent. The leaves are prescribed as a diuretic in cases of water retention and for bloating accompanied by flatulence and loss of appetite.
The bitter compounds in dandelion root help stimulate digestion and are mildly laxative in activity. The roots have been shown to be moderately anti-inflammatory, which supports their traditional use in the treatment of rheumatism. The root is used for dyspepsia, loss of appetite, as a diuretic, and for disorders associated with inhibited bile secretion from the liver.
Preparations
The dried leaf and root, capsules, tinctures and tablets are available in the American market. Extracts (in 25 percent alcohol) are preferred for bile flow stimulation as the active compounds are more soluble in alcohol than in water.
Cautions
The German Commission E monographs on dandelion leaf and root indicate that in cases of gallstones, dandelion products should be used only under a physician's supervision. If bile ducts are obstructed, dandelion should not be used at all. The milky latex in fresh dandelion leaves may cause contact dermatitis. Bitter herbs such as dandelion root may also cause hyperacidity in some individuals.
Actions
Appetite stimulant
Diuretic
Increases bile flow

http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/dandelion.shtml

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Picking Onions

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These came out so beautiful. Lance picked the onions today and before we used them for our grass feed, hormone free, free range, cow burgers I snapped a few picture which I later photoshopped and am now sharing with you.

Picking Tomatoes

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Food Photography - FRESH tomatoes, basil & garlic over angel hair pasta

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We've Expanded

The Garden

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new pot

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new mix

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There are now 3 racks which we've added wheels to for easy moving should we need to in the future.

There are also 2 new lights making a total of 6 grow lights adding to the sunshine we receive.

New pots, bigger post, new professional growers mix, and the tomatoes are ready for picking so really excited about that.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Time to expand

We are getting too big for these racks

It's time to expand the green room.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Updates mid June

Tomatoes

Progress

New Buds

A note from Lance... the garden has had to adjust to the new room. the temperatures and the humidity are both higher than where they were initially. the tomatoes have adjusted well and appreciate the new. the peppers are ok, they haven't really shown a liking or disliking. the lettuce doesn't like it. we need to think of a way to get them to a cooler spot. we thought they'd do ok on the bottom shelf next to the cool concrete wall, but it is just too hot. may have to move back into the living room or maybe the cool hallway. right now with the a/c is out in the entire apartment, it is difficult to find the cool spot. so that will wait for now. there are other plants that don't seem to like the heat so much. the onions are droopy. need to move them with lettuce. there is one tomato plant that was only in the grow lights and now has been placed in the sunlight as well. it has had a hard time adjusting to the hot and we're not sure it has fully come around. it may not do well. we'll have to keep an eye on it. but for the most part, the new greenhouse room has provided the extra oomf we thought it would.

Food Photography - Arugula

Arugula

As the season for leafy greens came to an end we picked most of what was left including the arugula.
It was so bitter that I decided to add it to a stir-fry pan with a bit of olive oil, some sea-salt, and a mashed clove of garlic to give it taste. It turned out great!!! I also like to make my spinach this way.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Food Photography - Sweet Spring Salad

Food Photography - Open Mozzarella Caprese Sandwich

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I love summer and mozzarella caprese is something I can make and eat everyday.

I take fresh basil which we always have growing here in our indoor garden, and this year I hope to have the chance to use our own tomatoes as well.

Tip: Make sure the mozzarella is FRESH.

Then add a drizzle of olive oil, and balsamic, kosher salt, and cracked pepper to taste. To add something filling layer on fresh deli style bread (homemade is best) cook in oven 10min. at 350º.

Food Photography - Garden Salad

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Food Photography - My Breakfast

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Good morning me ;)

If you love food photography like I do start taking pictures of the things you make at home.

Here I'm able to melt my two passions together, food and photos. bon appétit!

Italian Night

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Food Photography @ Calderón Foto

What is Pink Slime???

While watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution I was introduced to what I thought was hamburger meat. I had no idea that what I've been eating is called Pink Slime and the USDA's made it legal not to label this on our food. WHAT?!!!! Now that I know I have changed my source for buying all meat products.
Run a quick check on local stores in your city that will offer you a better and healthier product. Here in Atlanta whole Foods with actually grind your beef for you, and they run an extensive background check on all suppliers.

For the full episode visit Hulu.com or click here: Jamie Oliver