A Waning Crescent Planters Moon 2011
Acceptance, an interesting all-encompassing behavior owned by all creation, whether acknowledgement comes directly or subtly, slowly or instantaneously. The perceptions and reactions of circumstances which beset us create a myriad of responses in us humans: we cringe, embrace, shudder, gawk, shrink, and react to events in our supposedly steady day-to-day lives. Flora, fauna, water, rock, each bending to the directives of change, each passively resisting or succumbing to the winds of time, according to their wont. The natural world takes this all with a grain of salt, we humans use our intellect to respond, either with wit or ignorance. Choosing the former allows for easing into the next phase of the change, whatever that may be. The latter, on the other hand, creates strife and stress. I prefer to be like the tree, the rock, the water; let this pass on to the next with little attachment to the outcome. It took a long time for me to arrive here, this place of easier bending. I'm glad I made it.
Did someone mention recipes?
Ramp Compound Butter
(From Serious Eats)
1 1/2 pound ramps, trimmed and cleaned
4 pounds unsalted butter, cut up and at room temperature
2 lemons, zested and juiced
Salt and pepper to taste
Thyme (optional)
Parchment Paper (or wax paper)
Freezer Bags
Trim the ends off of the ramps and clean them well under cold, running water.
Blanch them quickly (30 seconds) by dropping the ramps in a large pot of salted, boiling water, and then shock them in ice water.
Drain the ramps, squeezing as much liquid out as you can. With a sharp knife, thinly slice the ramps.
In a large bowl (or Kitchenaid with a paddle), mix well butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, ramps, salt, and pepper.
On sheets of parchment, form logs of butter of approximately 1/2 pounds each, and roll the parchment tightly around the butter.
Put the butter logs in two sets of freezer bags and seal tightly, removing all the air, and store in the freezer.
Pickled Ramps
1 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon coriander seed
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon red peppercorns
1 teaspoon white peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 pounds ramps, cleaned and trimmed
Kosher salt for blanching
1 tablespoon salt for the pickling liquid
Trim the ends off of the ramps and cut down the leaves leaving about 1/4 inch of green, saving the green ends for another purpose. Wash the ramps under cool, running water.
Blanch the ramps quickly (30 seconds) by dropping them in a large pot of salted, boiling water, and then shock them in ice water. Drain the ramps well and place them in a mason jar.
Combine the vinegar, salt, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf, mustard seeds, coriander, pink and white peppercorns, and fennel seeds.
Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the ramps in the mason jar and let cool, sealing tight and transferring to the refrigerator.
Notes
In the refrigerator these pickled ramps will last a few weeks to a couple of months. If you follow traditional, safe canning techniques, these will last for a few months, or until you eat them all, which ever comes first.
Trout with Fiddlehead Ferns
1 whole trout, cleaned
2 tablespoons margarine, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces fiddleheads, chopped
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 beaten egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Spread about half of the margarine over the whole trout and inside the cavity. Combine the flour, salt and pepper; coat the inside and outside of the trout with the mixture.
Melt remaining margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly saute the fiddleheads until just tender. Season with salt, pepper and tarragon. Add the lemon juice and white wine, and cook for one minute. Transfer the contents of the fiddlehead pan to a bowl, and mix with egg and bread crumbs. Stuff the mixture into the cavity of the trout, and place it on the greased baking sheet.
Bake uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately.
Cream Of Fiddlehead Soup
1/4 cup butter 50 mL
1 cup sliced leeks or onions 250 mL [read: ramps]
2 tbsp all-purpose flour 25 mL
2-1/2 cups chicken stock 625 mL
4 cups fiddleheads 1 L
2 cups light cream 500 mL
1 tbsp lemon juice 15 mL
1/4 tsp white pepper 1 mL
Pinch cayenne pepper Pinch
Salt
1/4 cup sour cream 50 mL
Directions
In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat; cook leeks, covered and stirring often, for 10 to 15 minutes or until softened but not browned.
Add flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Gradually stir in stock; increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil, stirring constantly.
Add fiddleheads and return to boil; reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until fiddleheads are tender.
Remove 6 fiddleheads for garnish.
Puree soup in batches in blender or food processor.
(Recipe can be prepared to this point, cooled, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days.) Return puree to saucepan; whisking cream.
Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or just until heated through but not boiling.
Stir in lemon juice, white pepper and cayenne; season with salt to taste.
Garnish each serving with sour cream and fiddlehead.
ok get cooking!
or gardening:
May 2011
1st-2nd Poor Planting, Fine For Cultivating Or Spraying.
3rd-4th Favorable For Planting Beans, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Peppers, And Other Aboveground Crops.
5th-6th Any Seed Planted Now Will Tend To Rot.
7th-8th Most Favorable For Planting Corn, Cotton, Okra, Beans, Peppers, Eggplant, And Other Aboveground Crops. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens.
and the chores?
May 1st
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Mow to Retard Growth, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Start Diet to Lose Weight
May 2nd
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Mow to Retard Growth, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Start Diet to Lose Weight
May 3rd
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Wax Floors, Paint, Get Married, Advertise to Sell, Buy Clothes, Buy a Home
May 4th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Wax Floors, Paint, Get Married, Advertise to Sell, Buy Clothes, Buy a Home
May 5th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Host a Party, Travel for Pleasure, Write
May 6th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Host a Party, Travel for Pleasure, Write
May 7th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Wax Floors, Get Married, Start Diet to Gain Weight, Buy a Home
the Moon is here this week:
May 1- Aries
2,3- Taurus
4-6- Gemini
7,8- Cancer
Remember to bend
a.
