'APRIL LOVE' ~ AS THE GARDEN GROWS

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment."

~ Ellis Peters

"Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire."

~ Virgil

OF PANSY AND PRIMROSE ...'THE PROMISE OF SPRING' ~ ORANGE-TERIYAKI SALMON / SPRING RISOTTO / SALMON CAKES with SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE

"The nicest thing about the promise of spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it."

~ Mark Beltaire

ORANGE-TERIYAKI SALMON

~ cook an extra pound and make salmon cakes the next day

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For each pound of salmon

whisk together ~

3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice

zest of 1 orange

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. rice vinegar

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. minced fresh ginger

Preheat oven to 450º. Pour mixture over salmon and bake 13-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Do not overcook. Fish should cut easily by not flake apart.

SPRING RISOTTO

~ fresh herbs, a must

1 cup Arborio rice

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup sliced assorted mushrooms

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 tsp. chopped garlic

1/2 cup white wine

1 tsp. chopped shallots

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 1/2 cups of hot organic chicken or vegetable stock

2 tsp. coarse salt

2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup fresh chopped savory herbs

(rosemary, thyme, parsley, or basil)

Have everything measured and ready. Heat olive oil in large pan. Saute onions, garlic and shallots until clear. Add rice and continue to saute for 1 minute. Deglaze pan with white wine an gradually start adding hot stock, a bit at a time. Stir until liquid is absorbed by rice, about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms, salt & pepper, and continue cooking, adding stock for another 10 minutes. When rice is plump and liquid absorbed, remove from heat. Stir in herbs and adjust seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

SALMON CAKES with SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE

~ great with leftover salmon (e.g. Orange-Teriyaki Salmon) or cooked special for this delicious dish

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1 pound cooked salmon

4 Tbsp. dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 large organic egg

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. coarse salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

1/2 finely chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter

Hungarian paprika

chopped green onions or chives

• In large bowl, gently blend salmon with bread crumbs. Set aside.
• Combine mayonnaise, egg, Dijon, red pepper and salt & white pepper. Gently mix together with salmon and refrigerate at least an hour.
• Using scoop, drop onto Pam sprayed baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with chopped green onion or chives and a dusting of Hungarian paprika.
• Broil approximately 6 minutes or until golden. Serve over a bed of mixed greens, lightly dressed with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette.

SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE

(From the Common Ground Cookbook)

3 Tbsp. spicy sesame oil

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger

3 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper

Combine ingredients. Gradually whisk in olive oil.

'FAIR PRIMROSE' (February Flower of the Month)

“O fairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted,

Soft silken primrose fading timelessly.”

~ John Milton

INDOOR PRIMROSE GARDEN

Although the primrose flower is native to areas of Europe and Asia, they can be found growing in abundance throughout the Midwest and Northwest regions of North America. Primulaceae, or the primrose family, contains around 24 genera of popular garden and wild-growing plants. There are a number of different varieties of primrose flowers; however, most gardeners place them in two distinct groups: the bog and woodland flowers, which prefer moist, rich soil, and the rocky area flowers, which do well in dry areas. These flowers are generally planted for ground cover and may be seen growing as single-headed flowers or in large clusters. Their colors range from the traditional yellow to white, purple, pink, and occasionally even coral hues.

The oils of the primrose flower are commercially cultivated in at least 15 countries. This is understandable as it has become a staple in many supplements. The oils of this flower contain gamma linolenic acid, linoleic acid and essential fatty acids which are thought to positively effect cholesterol and blood pressure, premenstrual symptoms, arthritis and the immune system. The oil is also said to be very effective in other areas as well. For example, rubbing the oils into door frames or dripping it around garden perimeters may help avert bees, as the scent is thought to be a deterrent. Given that the primrose flower is considered one of the symbols of purity, many real life and mythological stories tell of their association with children. For instance, these flowers were frequently planted on the grave sites of small children in Victorian England, as they represented the unchanging innocence of the lost child; in German myth, children were enticed into the halls of the goddess Bertha by way of the pale, delicate flowers. The flower’s myth, however, is not entirely somber. This blossom is associated with the Norse goddess Freya – who is the symbol of youthfulness, refinement, fertility and beauty. They are also seen in Celtic myth which states a patch of these flowers can mark the gateway to the fairy realms.

As well as being a symbol of purity, the primrose flower is said to represent both February births and the month of May. They are also thought to symbolize courage in the face of adversity, devotion, love and renewal. As a gift, these flowers are frequently presented to long time loves, as they are a great way to represent passing through many years of struggle, only to find yourself just as happy as you ever were with your partner.

(http://flowerinfo.org/)

OUTDOOR PRIMROSE GARDEN

Evening Primrose

Primrose Garden

The Primrose (Primula) is a gift that just keeps giving ...

as both an indoor garden then planted outside

'AS THE GARDEN GROWS' ~ MID-JUNE STROLL

"Garden making is creative work, just as much as painting or writing a poem. It is a personal expression of self, and individual conception of beauty. I should as soon think of asking a secretary to write my book, or the cook to assist in a water color painting, as to permit a gardener to plant or dig among my flowers."

~ Hannah Rion

(The Greatest Gift of a Garden)

"Gardener's work with an ever-receding ideal of perfection: no sooner is something growing well than they see how to place it better or give it a better neighbour. To other's eyes, all may look as well as could be expected, but a good gardener's eye sees more to be improved."

~ Robin Lane Fox

GOOD GRIEF! FORGOT YESTERDAY ~ NATIONAL PISTACHIO DAY

National Pistachio Day

~ a fun day missed!

(More trivia from the below site)

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/pistachioday.htm

*

"National Pistachio Day is a nutty day. You can celebrate National Pistachio Day by eating them, and learning more about them. We're going to help with the learning part ... read on.

Nutty Pistachio Facts:

Pistachios grow on trees. They are native to the Middle East. Its a long wait to get the first nut. A pistachio tree takes 7-10 years to mature. California is the major producer in the U.S. Pistachios are harvested in September by machines that shake the trees. It less than a minute.
The red dye is added to the nuts is only due to consumer demand for the color. Its open hull is unique. The nut is ripe when the hull splits open. People in the Middle East call it the "smiling nut" and in China its called the "happy nut". Pistachios are nutritious, so eat them up! Celebrate today by eating Pistachios. They are great plain as a snack, in ice cream, and in a wide range of desserts. "

~ Garden primrose

(February flower of the month)

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DELICIOUS PISTACHIO CRUSTED BAKED FISH

(4 servings)

(Whitefish, salmon, swordfish, snapper, grouper, etc.)

4 thick boneless fish fillets

4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

freshly cracked black pepper

juice of 1 lemon

4 ounces sweet butter

6 Tbsp. finely chopped pistachios

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

2-3 Tbsp. chopped green onions

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Spray with Pam. Place fish (skin side down) and lightly massage with olive oil. Sprinkle with cracked pepper.

Melt butter and combine with lemon juice, pistachios, green onions and parsley. Fold in panko crumbs. Pat evenly over fish fillets. Bake 12-14 minutes, depending on thickness. Serve with lemon wedges and favorite slaw.