Thursday, 10 September 2009

Greg worked Tuesday evening on the electric fence around the strawberry patch and I helped him finish it up yesterday evening so now we are ready to start planting strawberries! The tips are looking good with nice roots so things are falling into place. I'm baking today and putting tomatoes in the dehydrator. Here is a recipe I got off Lane McConnell's blog for apple salad since apple season is here!

Honey Apple Salad from my mother's kitchen
3 1/2 diced red apples
2 T. lemon juice
2 c. grapes
1 c. sliced celery, thinly sliced
1/2 c. chopped dates
1/2 c. mayo
1/4 c. honey
2 T. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
In a large bowl toss apples with lemon juice. Add grapes, celery and dates.In a small bowl combine mayo, honey, sour cream and salt, mix.Pour over apple mixture and toss; stir in walnuts.
Posted by Lane at 9/09/2009

Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Today is box day! You will be receiving tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, apples, pears, okra, eggs, and maybe herbs! The peaches are pretty much done. There are about 3 more trees out there, but they are not ripe and don't look too good.

Monday, 7 September 2009

Saturdays market was so-so, but holiday weekends usually aren't too good. At least it didn't rain! Yesterday we went to a Sellmeyer family reunion up to Glasgow, so today it's back to work. We are making tomato jalapeno jam and jalapeno cayenne jam! This afternoon after it dries up we will go out and pick. I think the peaches are pretty much done, but there will be apples.

Friday, 4 September 2009

Yesterday Greg & I went on a farm tour that was sponsored by the Missouri Vegetable Growers association and MU Extension. It was fun, we went to a couple of big guys; Thies and Stuckmeyer's South of St. Louis which some of you may know and been to. They are gearing up for their Fall activities. We also went to a smaller operation more along the lines of our size. It's always fun and interesting to go on these and see how other's do things and the equipment they use and gadgets they have come up with to make things easier! It's also nice to know everyone has the same questions and problems we do; deer, coons, rabbits, weeds, labor, etc!!!

Today we've been busy picking for tomorrow's markets. Megan is coming home this weekend and wanting to take stuff to the Fulton market and earn some money! We are about done all that's left to do is wash tomatoes and peaches and then load the trucks!

Thursday, 3 September 2009

Yesterday Greg tilled up four old greens beds and we replanted radishes, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, spinach, turnips, etc. So hopefully we will get some fall greens. The weather sure has been nice enough for them. Today I'm baking zucchini and persimmon bread for Columbia farmers' market. Greg is coming home at noon and we are going to take a road trip over South of St. Louis area and do three farm tours and see how and what other people are doing! I'm also trying to stick more tomatoes in the dehydrator between baking spells! So I'd better get to it!

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

I've had some people tell me they don't know what to do with eggplant, so here are a few recipes I found on the web that might be of interest to you. I also have, but can't seem to find it a recipe for slicing them like fries and deep fat frying them and then seems like there were some dipping sauces, but I can't find it. But you could use any kind of dipping sauce you like; ranch, blue cheese, or sprinkle them with salt, pepper, paprika or Cayenne pepper and have a snack! Anyway hope this helps give you some ideas and you use up your eggplant! Enjoy!

Delicious eggplant roll-ups with basil, spaghetti sauce, ground beef, and seasonings.
Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 large eggplant, peeled
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1 cup soft bread crumbs
2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
1 jar (16 ounces) spaghetti sauce
Preparation:In a Dutch oven or large, deep skillet, bring salted water to a boil for eggplant. Cut eggplant lengthwise into about 12 1/4-inch slices. Boil in salted water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain well on paper towels.
In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, bread crumbs, cheese, and seasonings. Add 1 pound of the ground beef; mix well. Divide into 12 portions. Place a portion on each eggplant slice; roll up. Place in a large baking pan, seam side down. Brown remaining ground beef; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Spoon meat sauce over roll-ups. Cover pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 to 40 minutes longer. Serve over spaghetti or with a tossed salad.Eggplant rolls serve 6.
Cook Time: 30 minutes

EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
Ingredients:
2 large eggplants, about 1 pound each
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
4 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 ounces minced or ground cooked ham
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Preparation:Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and remove pulp to make a scooped-out shell, 1/2 inch thick. Chop the eggplant pulp coarsely and set aside. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; cook the eggplant shells, cut side down, for 5 minutes. Remove shells to a shallow baking dish. Add butter to skillet; sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add reserved eggplant pulp, tomatoes, thyme, cayenne and pepper and cook over brisk heat until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is thick. Remove from heat and mix in ham, bread crumbs and coriander. Fill the eggplant shells with the stuffing mixture; bake in a preheated 400° oven for 15 minutes, until slightly browned.
Serves 4.

EGGPLANT CREOLE
Ingredients:
1 eggplant
1 can (10 1/2 ounce) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup diced green or red bell pepper pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 medium tomato, diced
Preparation:Peel, slice and cook eggplant; drain and mash. Add remaining ingredients and place in buttered casserole. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake eggplant casserole at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes.Eggplant casserole serves 4.

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

BOX DAY!

Today you will be getting the usual, tomatoes, peppers, onions, summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peaches, apples and pears! Enjoy!!!