Front Porch Farm

2012 Planting Diary

Front Porch Farm — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:20:15 +0000

At a recent gardening class, other local gardeners expressed curiosity about when exactly we start each vegetable. We’ll add to this blog post as we plant our starts, so you can follow suit if you’d like. Please keep in mind that these early plantings will be going into a greenhouse when they’re ready, so if you don’t have a greenhouse, you may not want to start anything but tomatoes or peppers yet!

Planted in Soil Blocks, 2/28

tomatoes
peppers
bok choy
kale
spinach
broccoli
kohlrabi
lettuce
cabbage
celery

Transplanted in to the Green House, 3/15

spinach
lettuce
bok choy
Chinese cabbage

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Winter Squash & Rice “Laksa” Soup

Front Porch Farm — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:55:27 +0000

This “Laksa” soup is a favorite way to eat winter squash — it has a bit of a bite, but is mellowed by the coconut milk.

Winter Squash & Rice “Laksa” Soup
(adapted from a recipe of Jamie Oliver’s)

Puree in blender until smooth (add water if necessary):

3-4 Anaheim peppers, seeded and chopped
2-3 cloves garlic
2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, peeled
bunch of fresh cilantro, with stems

Saute in large pot:

1 onion, finely chopped
olive oil

Add to pot:

pepper puree
2 1/2 c. chicken broth
1 cup basmati rice
heaping teaspoon five-spice powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Cook, covered until rice is tender. Add extra water while cooking if necessary.

Add:

several cups cooked winter squash
two 14-ounce cans coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste
juice of 1 lime

Heat through and serve.

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Colache

Front Porch Farm — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:57:09 +0000

a Mexican zucchini side dish

3 zucchini or summer squash, cut into rounds
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. bacon fat (optional—otherwise double butter)
1 large onion, chopped
4 ears fresh corn, cut from cob
1 bell pepper and 2 Anaheim peppers, seeded and chopped
4 tomatoes (peeled if desired), chopped
salt and pepper

Sauté zucchini in butter and fat until slightly browned.

Add onions and peppers, sautéing briefly.

Add tomatoes and corn. Season with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Uncover, cook until juice is reduced—about 15 minutes more—stirring often.

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Zucchini Bread

Front Porch Farm — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:57:00 +0000

A family favorite — with the 2-year-old and the grandpa! Make one loaf with chocolate chips, one without, for dessert and breakfast both.

Mom’s Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. vegetable or olive oil
2 c. sugar
2 c. grated zucchini
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
½ tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. chocolate chips (optional)

Combine eggs, oil, sugar, and zucchini. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add chocolate chips, if desired. Pour into 2 greased and floured bread pans. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.

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Herb & Vinegar Potato Salad

Front Porch Farm — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:21:37 +0000

Scrub or peel, chop into bite-size pieces, toss with olive oil, and bake/broil until tender:
2 pounds potatoes

Saute lightly in olive oil:
leeks
shallots
green beans
celery

Mix with vegetables to taste:
1 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives, marjoram, tarragon, thyme, etc.)
3-6 T. white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar
3-6 T. olive oil
salt and pepper

Serve warm or chill and serve.

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