Every Bit Cooking and Gardening

Lily of the Valley

2011-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

May's flower is the Lily of the Valley.

Convallaria majalis (pronounced /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛəriə məˈdʒeɪlɨs/),commonly known as the lily of the valley or lily-of-the-valley, is possibly the only species in the genus Convallaria in the flowering plant family Ruscaceae. It was formerly placed in the lily family Liliaceae, or in its own family called Convallariaceae.
This woodland plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe and a limited native population in Eastern USA (Convallaria majalis var. montana). There is, however, some debate as to the native status of the American variety.

Eggshells in the Garden

2011-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Five Ways to Use EGGshells in Your Garden

1. Add crushed eggshells to the bottom of planting holes, especially for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. These crops are susceptible to blossom end rot, which is caused by calcium deficiency. While this deficiency is most often caused by improper watering, there's no harm in making sure your plants have a steady source of calcium. As the eggshells break down, they'll nourish the soil, and your plants.

2. Use eggshells as pots for starting plants from seed. Then plant the seedling, "pot" and all, into the garden.

3. Use crushed eggshells to deter slugs, snails, and cutworms. These garden pests are a real pain in the gardener's neck, and cutworms are the worst, killing seedlings by severing the stems at soil level. All three of these pests have soft undersides, and dislike slithering across anything sharp. Crushed eggshells, applied to the soil's surface, may help deter these pests.

4. Add them to the compost pile. If you aren't planting tomatoes or trying to deter slugs, add the eggshells to your compost pile, where they'll add calcium to your finished compost.

5. If you are feeding birds in your yard, crush up the eggshells and add them to a dish near the feeder. Female birds, particularly those who are getting ready to lay eggs or recently finished laying, require extra calcium and will definitely appreciate it!

No matter how you want to use them, be sure to rinse the shells out well before using them in the garden.

Egg Face Mask-Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

2011-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few different EGG recipes for Anti-wrinkle treatment.

*Whip 1 egg white add juice from 1/2 lemon and a pinch of salt.

Apply to wrinkled skin for 15-20 minutes Rinse off with warm water.

*Whip 1 egg yolk into 2 tablespoons of whole milk.

Gently apply to clean face.

Leave on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water.

*Whip 1 egg until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil

and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Apply to clean face before bed and leave it on for 20 minutes.

Rinse off with warm water.

Warning: The reader of this post should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this post. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Potatoes and Snap Peas with Egg Mint Mimosa

2011-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 hard-boiled large EGGS
1 1/2 lb small red boiling potatoes
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
21/2 teaspoons salt
1 /4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lb sugar snap peas, trimmed and strings discarded
1 1/2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

Preparation

Peel potatoes. Cut each into 6 wedges. Transfer to a 3-quart saucepan and cover by 1 inch with cold water. Bring potatoes to a boil, then simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, mince garlic, then mash to a paste with a pinch of salt using a large heavy knife. Transfer to a small bowl, then whisk in oil, 3 tablespoons mint, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Coarsely grate eggs into a bowl using 1/4-inch holes of a box grater, then toss with remaining tablespoon mint and salt and pepper to taste.
When potatoes are almost finished cooking, cook snap peas with remaining 2 teaspoons salt in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan of boiling water 1 minute, then drain. Drain potatoes and toss with vinegar, then add snap peas and oil mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with egg mint mimosa.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Active time: 20 min

Total time: 45 min

Gardening Term "T"

2011-04-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

Tender

An indoor plant which requires a minimum temperature of 60° F. Occasional short exposure to temperatures below this level may be tolerated.

Egg Hair Care

2011-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few Hair Care ideas using EGGS.

For strong and beautiful hair you can mix 2 egg yolks (depending on length of your hair) with 2 tsp. castor oil. Massage this mixture on your hair. Keep it for sometime then rinse it thoroughly.

Whip up two raw eggs. Pour this mixture on your hair by massaging. Let it dry. Shampoo your hair and then give vinegar and water rinse. Follow this procedure every month for soft and smooth hair.

Beat egg yolk thoroughly to make a frothy solution. Add 1 tsp baby oil and beat again to make a proper mixture. Add water to this mixture and apply it all over your scalp. Once dry, rinse well to get a proper conditioned treatment.

Mix egg yolk in 1/4 cup of yogurt with a little lime skin. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply it to every single strand of hair. After applying keep it for 10 minutes and then wash it off. The combination of yogurt and egg is very good for your hair.

Mix a whole egg to lemon juice. Whisk it properly. Once applied on your hair keep it for sometime. Rinse it thoroughly. This combination gives a shine to your dull hair.

Beat egg yolk to make a frothy paste. Add 1/2 tsp. olive oil and beat the mixture again. Slowly and steadily add 3/4 cup of luke warm water. After shampooing, massage this conditioner and leave it for few minutes. Rinse it later.

It is a good hair treatment for people who are in water most of the times like swimmers, surfers etc. Mix egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber to make a good mixture. Spread it evenly on your hair and keep it for 10 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly.

Mix together 1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp. almond oil and 1 tbsp. yogurt. Make a frothy paste and apply it on your hair. Rinse it in 1/2 hours time. This will smooth your hair and moisturize it evenly.

Warning: The reader of this post should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this post. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Deviled Egg

2011-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Deviled EGGS or eggs mimosa are hard-boiled eggs cut in half and filled with the hard-boiled egg's yolk mixed usually with mayonnaise and mustard. Deviled eggs are usually served cold. They are served as a side dish, appetizer or a main course, and are a common holiday or party food.

The term "deviled" dates back to the 19th century, referring to the use of particularly hot spices in cooking. Contemporary versions of deviled eggs tend to include a wider range of seasonings and added foods, such as garlic, horseradish, wasabi, cheese, chutney, capers, salsa, hot sauce, mushrooms, spinach, sour cream, caviar, smoked salmon or other seafood, and sardines and may not therefore always be spicy.

The term "deviled," in reference to food, was in use in the 18th century, with the first known print reference appearing in 1786.[1] In the 19th century, it came to be used most often with spicy or zesty food, including eggs prepared with mustard, pepper or other ingredients stuffed in the yolk cavity.

In some parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, the terms "salad eggs" or "dressed eggs" are used, particularly when the dish is served in connection with a church function - presumably to avoid dignifying the word "deviled."

Here is my simple to make Deviled Egg Recipe:

6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut lengthwise

¼ cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing

½ teaspoon dry ground mustard

½ teaspoon white vinegar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 Cup of chopped green onion

Paprika

Food Coloring

Pop out (remove) the egg yolks to a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add mayonnaise, mustard powder, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Fill the empty egg white shells with the mixture.

Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving.

Paprika for garnish (sprinkle on top of finished eggs) or for holiday colors,
I divide the egg mixture into separate bowls and use a few drops of food coloring, into the egg mixture. Stir, add a few more drops if needed to get to your desired color.

Easter- Green, Yellow and Orange

Christmas- Red, Green

Gardening Term "S"

2011-04-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sandy Soil

A soil with from 50 to 100 percent fine sands, as well as coarse sands with 35 to 100 percent fine gravel and some fine sand. Though sandy soil can be formed into a ball when wet, the ball will break easily when touched. In spring, sandy soils warm quickly, so planting can start. It is an easy-to-work soil but needs lots of amending with compostand other organic material to increase nutrient content and retain moisture. Because it has more air spaces (due to the granular nature), fertilizers and other nutrients wash through the soil more easily. The porosity also means that water drains quickly, thus increasing the need for frequent watering. Choosing xeriscape or "water wise" plants is an option where water is an issue.

Raw Egg or Hard Boiled Egg?

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

How to tell a raw egg from a hard boiled egg.
The egg in question. If it spins pretty well on end, it is a hard-boiled egg. If it doesn't spin too well and wobbles, it is a raw egg. Try spinning a raw egg and very briefly touching it, just long enough to stop it. When you take your finger away, the egg will start to spin slightly more. This is due to the inertia of the liquid egg inside.

Peeling an Egg

2011-04-18T09:48:00.001-07:00

Have you ever found yourself struggling with peeling the EGG shells off hard boiled eggs?

Here are a few things that are important to make that easier:
*After boiling the eggs rinse them under cold water.
*Once they are cooled off, tap the egg on the counter until you hear the egg crack, then using the palm of your hand gently rolling it back and forth on the counter a few times.
*You'll notice that the shell is crackled all the way around the egg. Then hold the egg under cold running water while peeling. The shell practically falls off.

Poached Egg and Prosciutto Muffinwich

2011-04-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

2 EGGS

2 thin slices of prosciutto
2 English muffins, split in half and toasted

2 tablespoons strawberry-lemon or other citrus marmalade

2 green onions, white parts removed, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fold each slice of prosciutto in half and place it directly on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until prosciutto reaches desired crispness.

Meanwhile, poach the eggs: fill a large skillet halfway with water and bring to a simmer. One at a time, crack each egg into a small cup, then carefully slide egg into the water using the cup. Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes, until whites are set and yolks just start to thicken.

Lay the toasted English muffin halves on a plate and spread marmalade on the top half of each.

On the bottom half, place the crisped prosciutto and top with the poached egg. Sprinkle one chopped green onion over the egg, and place the marmalade-covered muffin half on top to serve.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

How to Boil an Egg

2011-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bring EGGS to room temperature before cooking to prevent craking due to extreme temperature change.

Bring a pan with enough water to cover eggs to a boil. Using a slotted spoon gently place eggs into water. Do not place too many eggs in pan as this will cause them to knock and crack. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.

The eggs should be simmered gently (medium to low heat). Carefully remove eggs using a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of cold water. This will stop the eggs from cooking further.

White Eggs Brown Eggs

2011-04-15T08:00:00.001-07:00

White shelled EGGS are produced by hens with white feathers and ear lobes. Brown shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. There is no difference in nutrition between white and brown eggs.

Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

2011-04-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Scavenger Hunt

Instead of letting kids just gather all the EGGS they can find, set up a scavenger hunt. Make up a list for each child with the kinds of eggs he should find. It might look something like this: 
*Find 2 green eggs
*Find 4 eggs with stripes
*Find 3 yellow eggs
 Make sure there are enough eggs of each color so every child can complete his list. Give each child a pencil and basket and tell him to only get eggs on his list--that way it doesn't leave someone short.

Find Your Color Egg Hunt
 This hunt will ensure the kids get an equal amount of eggs. Buy or color eggs so you have a different color for each child who will be participating. They don't have to be solid colors, you can do stripes or polka dots, just as long as they are mostly the same. Give each child a basket with a colored egg in it; he will be looking for eggs only in that color. Tell the children how many eggs they will be looking for so they will know when they are done.

Read more: Cool Easter Egg Hunt Ideas | eHow.com

Home Farming

2011-04-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

Nothing compares with the taste of vegetables you’ve grown at home. And with a little time and knowledge, growing vegetables at home is one of life’s great simple pleasures.

To get started, click here: Home Farming

Scrambled Eggs

2011-04-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

6 large EGGS
6 teaspoons (1 teaspoon for each egg) low-fat milk
3 dashes of salt (1 dash for every two eggs)
Olive Oil Non Stick Spray

A 12-inch pan works well for 6 eggs.
Spray large non-stick frying pan. Heat to medium.
In large metal or glass mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and salt. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.
Alternatively, you can place the eggs, milk and salt in a blender and blend for 20 to 25 seconds. Allow the mixture to set for a couple minutes to let the foam settle.

Pour the egg mixture in pan. Do not stir immediately. Wait until the first hint of setting begins. Start the Martha Stewart scrambling technique ("Using a spatula or a flat wooden spoon, push eggs toward center while tilting skillet to distribute runny parts.")

Continue this motion as the eggs continue to set. Break apart large pieces as they form with your spoon or spatula. You will come to a point where the push-to-center technique is no longer cooking runny parts of the egg. Flip over all the eggs.)

I then cover my eggs with a lid and allow them to cook 15 to 25 seconds longer on low heat. Sometime I turn off the burner and leave them covered longer if I am not prepared to transfer them right away (this prevents them from drying out and keeps them warm before transferring eggs to serving plates. Sometimes, it's a chore just to get all my family members to the table.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
A note about milk and water: Soy milk works effectively in the recipe. Whole milk lends an overly milky taste to the eggs. No-fat milk and water can both be used in place of the low-fat milk but the creamy texture of the finished product is reduced.

Egg Safety

2011-04-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

EGGS should be cooked until the whites and yolks are firm or, for dishes containing eggs, until an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is reached because Salmonella is destroyed by the heat of cooking.

In addition to thoroughly cooking your eggs, follow these simple food-handling practices:
Clean your hands, as well as the surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw eggs – an important step for avoiding cross-contamination.

Separate eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags and in the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination.

Keep eggs in the main section of the refrigerator at a temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit – eggs accidentally left at room temperature should be discarded after two hours, or one hour in warm weather.

Baked Egg in a Ham Shell

2011-04-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

I had to bring this delicious EGG recipe back from a previous post. Add it to your Easter Breakfast or Brunch Menu this Holiday.

Click here: Baked Egg in a Ham Shell

How to Beat Egg Whites

2011-04-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

EGG whites should always be at room temperature before whipping. For best results take them out of the refrigerator about an hour prior to beating. Make sure there is no yolk in the whites and that the bowl and beaters are perfectly clean. To get the egg whites to the right consistency it is also important to hold the beaters slightly at an angle to beat air into the whites. The more air gets into it, the better the results.

13 days of Eggs

2011-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

My blog posts will be "EGG" related for the next 13 days, until Easter.

April's Flower is the Daisy

2011-04-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

National Garden Month

2011-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

When you garden, you GROW!

Every April communities, organizations, and individuals nationwide celebrate gardening during National Garden Month. Gardeners know, and research confirms, that nurturing plants is good for us: attitudes toward health and nutrition improve, kids perform better at school, and community spirit grows. Join the celebration and help to make America a greener, healthier, more livable place!

White Sauce Without Lumps

2011-03-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

In a medium size non stick cook pot, melt about a quarter stick of margarine, salted or unsalted. If you use salt, be careful about adding more salt to the sauce when it’s done- you might not need it.

Melt the margarine on low to medium heat. Then take the pot off the stove and add flower to it, but only as much as the margarine can absorb. Stir with a whisk until you have a smooth paste. If you added too much flower, add more margarine to smooth it out. Once it’s a paste, put it back on medium heat and start adding milk to it while stirring constantly.

As the temperature rises, the paste gets thicker, just keep adding more milk to get it until it’s a smooth and creamy sauce. When it comes to a boil, let it bubble for a moment and remove from heat.

You can then add salt or pepper to taste, or any other herbs or spices you desire.

If the sauce is too thin or liquidy, add a little grated parmesan cheese, it gives it great flavor and thickens it at the same time.

Fettuccine

2011-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

–¼-inch-wide ribbon noodles.

March's Flower is the Daffodil

2011-03-17T20:47:00.000-07:00