Urban Gardens

I don't know if they have always been there and I just haven't noticed them, or if they are just now sprouting. As I ride through suburban neighborhoods I see them everywhere. Raised garden beds. Veggies growing amidst front yard flowers. Gardens fully tilled and surrounded by electric fencing to keep the deer away. Containers spilling over with fresh herbs. It seems that there is a swing towards urban gardening and all that it offers. The benefits of eating fresh! The joys of reaping what you have sown! The beauty that these urban gardens add to your landscape!

Zucchini growing in my garden August 2012

Shish-Ka-Bobs

More ideas for those peppers and red onions. How about shish-ka-bobs. I recently discovered "Recipe Inspirations" from McCormick. These pre-measured spices and recipe card inspire and move you away from your comfort zone. 

The Mediterranean package includes -
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp marjoram leave
3/4 tsp ground mustard
3/4 tsp basil leaves
3/4 tsp oregano leaves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Mix the spices together. Drizzle olive oil over your choice of meat for the ka-bobs. You can use lamb, beef, or chicken. Then, sprinkle the spices over the meat. Marinade for flavors to sink into the meat.

In the meantime prepare your veggies. I used green peppers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes to make these beauties.

Chillin'

Grillin'

Lookin' good! Can't wait to taste!

Lefover veggies sauteeing in olive oil and Mediterranean spices.

Homemade Pizza

Wondering what to do with all those fresh green bell peppers now that they're in season again? How about trying a homemade vegetarian pizza.

So easy! Just spread Prego pizza sauce on whole wheat flat bread, top with fresh diced peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Add your favorite grated cheese and bake for 12-15 minutes until done. Yum!  We tried this a few nights ago along with homemade pepperoni pizzas, and my kids even liked it. Now that's a major feat in itself.

New Potato Time

There's nothing so rewarding as being able to step out your back door and gather up a few items for dinner. Here's a "mess of taters" as we Southerners like to call them. So tasty Saturday nite with fresh asparagus, yellow squash, onions, green bean casserole, and fried chicken. Mmmmmm good!

Spring Veggies

I love this time of year. The new spring veggies are as delicious as the new spring flowers are beautiful. Recently I tried kohlrabi for the first time. As I've said before, whenever I try a new veggie I like to mix with something I already like. And that's exactly what I did with kohlrabi. Here it is mixed with purple cabbage and sugar snaps.

Look at the pretty colors!

I cooked it real quick in iron skillet with a little olive oil and lime juice. Crunchy, colorful, and oh so good!

New Potatoes

I'm thrilled at the progress of my potato garden. I dug underneath one of the larger plants today and found these babies! Gonna give them a little more time to get just a little bigger before I dig them all up. Looking forward to using the planter bed for a summer harvest of squash, if it's not too late to plant. I'm guessing not since our spring has been so cool...will definitely keep you updated. What about you? Are you gardening? The hardest part, I think, is getting started. The fruit of the harvest will keep you going.

Here's the potato plants 2 weeks ago.

Today...look at how much they've grown!

What is Kohlrabi?

New at Wise Farms - kohlrabi. If you're like me this is a totally new word in your vocabulary. So, what exactly is kohlrabi? Well, a loyal customer has shared this link that answers that question and links to kohlrabi recipes. Can't wait to give this new veggie a try!