Beva's Blog (14)

Bill in Congress to kill organic gardens...

Perhaps you already know about this bill... H.R. 875: Agricultural Giants Try To Kill Organic Farming - http://organichealthadviser.com/archives/hr-875-agricultural-giants-try-to-kill-organic-farming This link will take you to the Gov site and the bill as it has been presented. I view it as a wolf in sheep's clothing... this bill seems to be designed to give control to the very ones who are "the problem". We have a voice and a vote! Continue

Added by Beva on May 5, 2009 at 5:30am — 2 Comments

Beef & Cheese Breakfast Bread

This is a tradition that was started by my mother. She would make this bread the night before and refrigerate the dough. While we opened gifts Christmas morning, the bread would bake. We had delicious hot bread to eat when we were done with our gifts. 5 1/2-6 1/2 cups flour 2 1/4 c. hot water 2 pkg. dry yeast ( or 2 tbsp. jar yeast) 2 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 1/4 c. soft butter or crisco shortening 1- 5oz. jar dried sliced beef (Hormel) 1/4 lb. sliced swiss cheese (or more if you like it cheesy)… Continue

Added by Beva on December 23, 2008 at 7:32pm — 6 Comments

Baking Powder Biscuits (or Sweet Milk)

2 c. flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp. soda Pour following ingredients into measuring cup- DON'T stir- 2/3 c. milk + 1/3 c. salad oil In a bowl combine dry ingredients and stir to blend and then pour milk/oil mixture in and stir with a fork until mixture cleans sides of bowl and rounds up into a ball. Drop onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake @ 475 for 10-12 minutes. For Sweet Milk version use; 2 c. flour 3 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt Then follow instructions as above for o… Continue

Added by Beva on November 26, 2008 at 7:34pm — No Comments

Pat-a-Pie Oil Pastry

A friend gave me this recipe for pie crust that is super easy. Into 8 or 9" pie plate, sift together 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp. sugar (or alternative), 1 1/4 tsp. salt With a fork, whip together 2/3 c. salad oil, and 3 tbsp. milk. Mix with fork until all flour is dampened. Reserve about 1/3 of dough for top crust. Press remaining dough evenly against bottom and sides of pie plate. Crimp edges. Fill with fruit filling. For top crust crumble reserved dough. Sprinkle over filling. Bake as directed in f… Continue

Added by Beva on November 26, 2008 at 8:10am — No Comments

Beef & Kale Soup

This was tonights dinner, and it was pretty tasty if I do say!! I bought some kale at the store after being inspired by all my Southern cook friends. Kale is one I have never tried cooking with, so I thought I'd give it a go! I reserved and de-fatted the left over broth from a p… Continue

Added by Beva on November 16, 2008 at 5:44pm — 4 Comments

Cranberry-Orange Relish

1 small unpeeled navel orange washed and cut into chunks 1C. pitted dried dates 1Large unpeeled Granny Smith apple washed, cored and cut into chunks 1 - 12 OZ. pkg. fresh or thawed frozen cranberries 1/2 c. honey Process orange in food processor until finely chopped. Add date and apple and coarsely chop. Add cranberries and coarsely chop. Transfer to medium size bowl and fold in honey. Store in air tight container and refrigerate. Best when made one day ahead and allowed to chill thoroughly. Continue

Added by Beva on November 13, 2008 at 6:09pm — 1 Comment

Stonewall Kitchen's recipe for Apple Butternut Squash Soup

I had this soup at a friends house and it was wonderful!!!! Stonewall Kitchen is a company located just 25 minutes from my home.. and I have had the chance to see them grow from a tiny Maine business into a renowned gourmet foods awards winner. Check out their website for other "wicked good" recipes! Apple Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients * 2 Tbs. Butter * 1/2 Cup onion, chopped * 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped * 2-2 1/4 Pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut int… Continue

Added by Beva on November 10, 2008 at 7:12pm — No Comments

F.A.B. Salad

Fennel, Apple, Beet Salad Beva’s kitchen Note; I attended a seminar at the Rowe Camp & Conference Center in Rowe MA. This salad was served and was just so tasty that I had to have their cookbook when it came into print! Salad; Romaine lettuce & red leaf lettuce (cut into bite size) or baby spinach 2 fennel (anise) bulbs, trimmed, quartered & cut into slivers 1 medium beet, boiled, slivered (or a small can of sliced beets slivered) 1/2 c. blue cheese crumbled 1/2 c. walnuts chopped… Continue

Added by Beva on November 7, 2008 at 5:58am — No Comments

Ma's White Milk Bread

Ma’s White Milk Bread (With a healthy twist) Beva’s Mother Laura Chissom’s recipe 1 1/2 c. rolled oats (Quaker cereal) (optional) 3-4 c. whole wheat flour 3-4 c. white flour (as needed to firm up dough) 2 palm full of quinoa (optional) 2 palm full of steel cut oats (optional) 2 palm full of wheat germ (optional) 1 spoonful of honey 1/3 c. crisco shortening 1/3 c. sugar 1 tbsp. salt 1 1/2 c. cool water 3 heaping tsp. jar yeast or 1-3 strip of package yeast & 1/2 cup warm water to dissolve ye… Continue

Added by Beva on November 6, 2008 at 7:32am — 2 Comments

Tex-Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash

I found this recipe in Prevention Magazine and gave it a try with a couple small changes. It was pretty tasty and a different way to use up my abundance of Acorn squash. Tex- Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash Serves: Prep: 15min|Cook: 1hr 5min |Total: 1hr 20min * 2 med acorn squash (about 1 1/4 lb each), halved and seeded * 2 tsp olive oil * 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided * 1 C canned black beans, rinsed and drained * 1/2 C pine nuts, toasted * 1 lg tomato (6 oz), coarsely chopp… Continue

Added by Beva on November 5, 2008 at 6:08pm — 8 Comments

Roasted Squash, Apples & Pecans

Roasted Squash Apples and Pecans 2 lb. winter squash cubed (butternut or the like) 2 tsp. canola oil 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice mix 1/4 c. red wine vinegar 1/2 c. maple syrup 5 Granny Smith Apples cored & cubed 1/2 c. chopped pecans Preheat oven 400 degrees. Mix squash with oil in bowl, sprinkle with spice mix. Combine cubed apples, vinegar and maple syrup, pour over squash, then transfer mixture to a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes. Serve with chopped pecans and if you like, dried cranberri… Continue

Added by Beva on October 31, 2008 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Zucchini Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage casings removed and cut into small (1/2 inch) pieces 2 c. celery sliced on an angle (1/2 inch pieces) 2 lb. zucchini sliced (into 1/2 inch pieces) 1 c. chopped onion 2- 28 oz. cans stewed tomatoes 2 tsp. salt or to taste 1 tsp.Italian seasoning 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp.sugar 1/2 tsp. basil 1/4 tsp. garlic powder or fresh garlic to taste 2 green peppers cut (into 1/2 inch pieces) Parmesan cheese Brown sausage in a large Dutch oven. Drain off excess fat. Add celery to Dutch o… Continue

Added by Beva on October 31, 2008 at 6:56am — No Comments

Butternut Squash Soup with Cheese Ravioli

Ingredients; 4 pounds butternut (buttercup, or your own favorite) winter squash 4- 14 1/2 ounce cans vegetable or chicken broth 1 cup water 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 2 tablespoons butter 2- 9 ounce packages refrigerated cheese ravioli 2 tablespoons molasses (to be drizzled over top of finished soup) Peel, seed, and cube squash into 3/4 inch pieces. Combine squash, broth, water & red pepper spice in a large pot. Cook covered over medium heat for 20 minutes or until squash is… Continue

Added by Beva on October 23, 2008 at 5:35am — 4 Comments

Recipe for old fashioned Root Beer

This recipe was given to me by a brewer. I have not yet tried it. If anyone does, please let me know how it was? Old Fashioned Root Beer From Excellent Recipes for Baking Raised Bread (the Fleishman Company, 1912) Time: 6-7 Hours Serves: 32 Ingredients Instructions 1 cake, compressed yeast 5 pounds, sugar 2 ounces, sassafras root 1 ounce, hops or ginger root 2 ounces, juniper berries 4 gallons, water 1 ounce, dandelion root 2 ounces, wintergreen Warning note: The US FDA determined natural… Continue

Added by Beva on October 23, 2008 at 5:17am — No Comments

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Latest Activity

Amanda Williams left a comment for Maggie

1 hour ago

Glenn Fletcher commented on Glenn Fletcher's photo 'My Allotment'

Hi Maggie I hope you are well. I see most of the people on a Friday afternoon, when i do not have to go to work. Most of the other plot holders are retired so they go on weekdays when i am at work. It can be quite solitary, which i find quite plea...

1 hour ago

Sara Lim, David Howe, rose rivera and 5 more joined Kitchen Gardeners

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10 hours ago

Mary Riekert left a comment for Sally Parrot

11 hours ago

Martha Hill replied to Janet Hoshel's discussion 'Vert Slightly sweet sauerkraut ????'

Thank you for the email addy !! I am always looking for variations on the food I preserve !! Let us know how yours turns out !! You can`t have too many recipes you know !! I don`t think that I would add sugar till after the brining process !! It c...

11 hours ago

Martha Hill replied to Chris Bocchino's discussion 'Been a while!'

Congrats on your new venture !!! Hope it does well !! Will be looking for you back in the future when you have things under way !!

11 hours ago

Martha Hill replied to Penelope's discussion 'Feeling Stuck'

You are forgetting one thing !! The person who will be eating the food you prepare !! Yourself !!! If it pleases you,,,I wouldn`t worry about anything else !! Cooking should be an adventure !! I wouldn`t make a comparison unless you have tasted th...

12 hours ago

Georg Strafella replied to Jeff St.Clair's discussion 'Compost news'

hi jeff, as i suppose you live in crete, do know anything more about the phrase "strafela", is this a usual word in greek?? or is it used just in certain parts of crete?? would be great if you could give me any info about it, thanks, georg

13 hours ago

Maggie left a comment for Amanda Williams

13 hours ago

Maggie commented on Glenn Fletcher's photo 'My Allotment'

Wow, they are good sized plots. I wish we had allotment areas here in Adelaide. Do you get to know the other allotment gardeners?. We have almost finished our composting, pruning back, seed saving and planting out of our seedlings. With a small ga...

14 hours ago

Glenn Fletcher commented on Glenn Fletcher's photo 'My Allotment'

Hi Kathryn This image is a screenshot from Google Earth. The only drawback with Google Earth is that you cannot zoom in as close as you would like. I have a greenhouse in the bottom right and a shed and covered compost bin at top right. A lot of t...

16 hours ago

Glenn Fletcher commented on Salma Kamal's blog post 'Pakistan: “Home Kitchen gardening to crush hunger”.'

Hi Salma I am lucky in that my allotment is only a short bicycle ride from my house. Some people in larger cities like London have to travel to theirs in a car. It is interesting to find out from you just how things are in your country. I think as...

16 hours ago

Bea Kunz replied to Roger's discussion 'Press inquiry: Women gardeners feeding the hungry'

Thanks for sharing Roger, I sent my info and will let you know what transpires. Have a Joyful day~ Bea Kunz

17 hours ago

Salma Kamal commented on Salma Kamal's blog post 'Pakistan: “Home Kitchen gardening to crush hunger”.'

How times have changed. There was time when there was no food shortage and agriculture was not a profitable business. The poor farmer was having a hard time. After toiling in the field from dawn to dusk he failed to generate enough money to suppor...

19 hours ago

Salma Kamal commented on Salma Kamal's blog post 'Pakistan: “Home Kitchen gardening to crush hunger”.'

Glenn!British allotment system is quite interesting. It should be initiated here in Pakistan. Is this alloted land close to your home? I mean you have to travel to your home kitchen garden to fetch your vegetables ??

19 hours ago

James R. McBride replied to PiscesGirl's discussion 'Seed Sources?'

I also recommend Seed Savers Exchange. Not only does Heritage Farm offer seeds they've grown, but you can become a member and exchange thousands of seeds with other gardeners. The beauty of seed savers is you can use heirloom seeds that you have g...

yesterday

amna mufti commented on Salma Kamal's blog post 'Pakistan: “Home Kitchen gardening to crush hunger”.'

........So the story is that this land is under the unlawful use of big wigs.No body dares to touch them.As they are usually in govt.or are the relatives of those in power.That is why I was telling Salma,problem is not simple.It is so intricate,it...

yesterday

amna mufti commented on Salma Kamal's blog post 'Pakistan: “Home Kitchen gardening to crush hunger”.'

Glenn! we also have the same allotment system.In which about 550 square feet ,(if I am not mistaken) or so is alloted to a family to grow fuel wood on it .Govt. only plants the trees and then the family looks it aftern grow what everthey want alon...

yesterday

Mussarat Nadeem is now friends with Kathryn and amna mufti

yesterday

Everett H. Scott joined Chris Bocchino's group

Wild Edible Hunters

DIscussion group for people who hunt wild edibles.

yesterday

From the KGI Main Site

Gardeners Have the Power!

Braised brussels sprouts with pine nuts

Garden Q & A: extending the salad season

New White House kitchen garden videos

KGI is going to the White House (and we want to take you with us)

Optimal timing for your garlic harvest

Garden Q & A: Harvesting tomatoloons

Roasted potatoes with basil vinaigrette

Garden Q & A: Organic pest controls

Paella with tomatoes

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Notes

HOW TO - ADD A LINK

Several people have experienced difficulty putting working links into comments and blogs etc and I know it is clumsy.... so here is how you do it.....

First type the text you want to appear.... ie IAN'S PAGE

Then go back and highlight the link text.

Then hit the hyperlink button...a pictogram of a chain link.

Your browser may intervene and request permission to allow temporary scripting or some similar message. Allow it and go back and highlight the text again

… Continue

Created by Ian Jun 7, 2009 at 7:28pm. Last updated by Ian Jun 8.

Forum Policy

Hi, I'm starting to put together a few guidlines on using the discussion forum on here.

I would be happy to hear any comments you may have. This is very much a work in progress so plese feel free to ask me to add anything you think is needed.

I don't want to make our community hide bound by rules and regulations but I think that, as the community has grown, some explanation of what is expected is needed.

Administration

You can refer any que

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Created by Ian May 23, 2009 at 1:55am. Last updated by Ian May 25.

Climate maps

Hi following recent discussion I have put climate maps of the USA, Australia and Europe on here for reference..

Climate map of the USA

Climate map of Australia

Climate map of Europe

… Continue

Created by Ian Sep 12, 2008 at 6:20pm. Last updated by Ian Apr 14.

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes

Hi Everyone, I've started to collect together recipes from various posts on the site and put them all together here.

If you have a recipe you want to add on here, just post it on the site and leave a comment on my page telling me where it is and I'll go and fetch it back here.

They are organised in Contributor Order but I'm open to better suggestions!

BEVA'S RECIPES

… Continue

Created by Ian Jun 2, 2008 at 9:54am. Last updated by Ian Apr 13.

US STATES ABBREVIATIONS

US STATE ABBREVIATIONS

AK - Alaska               AL - Alabama              AR - Arkansas
AZ - Arizona              CA - California           CO - Colorado
CT - Connecticut          DC - Dist of Columbia *   DE - Delaware
FL - Florida              GA - Georgia              GU

… Continue

Created by Ian Jan 27, 2009 at 4:27pm. Last updated by Ian Jan 27.

HOW TO - MAKE COMPOST

Recently there was an excellent discussion about composting. I’ve pulled together all the various comments here. You can also watch KGI's video on composting here.

KATE’S ADVICE

I used to have a tumbler that we made from a wine-barrel but

1 you have to fill it up all at once

2. it seemed mostly

… Continue

Created by Ian May 30, 2008 at 5:29am. Last updated by Roger Jan 15.