Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pineapple Jelly and Pineapple Jam ( How To Make )

               Good day to you all and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.  

               Today we have special treat for every one that likes a little jelly or jam on their toast, and it is so very delicious and very easy to make, and if you have been following our blog, you probably already guess what kind it is.

               Today we are going to share with you all, how to make Pineapple Jam and Pineapple Jelly. It is so good!!!  ( ENJOY!!!)                      





                                                         **Pineapple Jam**  

 Ingredients:

2 lbs. crushed pineapple
1 1/2 lbs. sugar  
Cinnamon
Nutmeg        

Preparations:

1. Mix sugar and pineapple together.

2. Add other ingredients.  

3. Boil over slow heat until all of the liquid is absorbed, only a little syrup should be left with the jam to keep it moist.      

 ********************************************************************************


                                                       **Pineapple Jelly**  

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1/4 cup of lemon juice
4 1/2 cup of sugar    
1 bottle liquid fruit pectin    

Preparations:  

1. Measure pineapple juice and lemon juice into a large kettle; add sugar and mix well. Bring to boiling rapidly, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin and bring to a full  rolling boil; boil vigorously 1 minute, continuing to stir.  

2. Remove from heat; skim off any foam. Pour into hot sterilized jelly glasses; seal with melted paraffin. ( If jelly is to be used within 2 months, omit the paraffin.)

3. Cover glasses with lids, waxed paper, or aluminum foil, and store in refrigerator. Makes 7 ( 6 ounce ) glasses of jelly.    

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake ( Recipe )

               Good day to you all and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken & Marilou.

               Today, we have a very good recipe to share with you all, and we hope you will try it. We are talking about Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, it really is very delicious. We share with you yesterday on the blog about how to plant pineapple, so we thought we should give you some good recipes, we found this recipe on the Internet. Hope you will enjoy this good recipe on Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.


                                              "  Pineapple Upside-Down Cake  "

Ingredients:

* 2 tsp. plus 1/4 cup softened butter
* 1/3 cup brown sugar
* 8 oz. canned pineapple-drained
* 6 maraschino cherries-halved
* 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 2/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 tsp. baking powder
* 2/3 cup milk
* 1 egg
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2 tsp. finely chopped or grated lemon zest
* 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 2 tbsp. lemon juice
* Cake Pans
* Electric Mixer
* Mixing Bowls
* Saucepans


                                                 (   Preparations:  )

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Melt 2 tsp. butter in a 9-inch round cake pan.

3. Stir in the brown sugar and 1 tbsp. water.

4. Arrange the pineapple (cubes or slices) and cherries evenly in the pan, in any design you like.

5. Set the pan aside.

6. Stir the flour, sugar and baking powder into a medium mixing bowl.

7. Add milk and the remaining butter, along with the egg and the vanilla.

8. Add the lemon zest, cinnamon and lemon juice.

9. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are basically combined, then beat on medium speed for about a minute.

10 Transfer the batter into the pan containing the pineapple. Be careful that you don't disturb your fruit design.

11. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

12. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes.

13. Loosen the cake from the sides of the pan and turn over onto a plate.

14. Serve warm.  

                                                  ( Tips & Warnings: )  

A. Try using fresh instead of canned pineapple, or use a fruit besides cherries; strawberries, blackberries and figs are all tasty possibilities.

B. Garnish the top of the cake with crushed pineapple or a pineapple spread.

C. Allow the cake to cool before attempting to remove it from the pan. If you don't, the cake may stick.

                  Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Pineapple ( How To Grow )

              Good day to you all, and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.    

              Today Marilou and I Ken Elliott, are going to talk about my favorite fruit, and it is the " Pineapple", I just love pineapple it is so good. But about 7 years ago I had the best pineapple that I had ever had in my life. I went to the Philippines to marry my wife Marilou. Marilou is a Filipino and while I was there I ate a lot of different kinds of fruits. I love eating the mangoes, and lots of the other fruits they had growing there, it was so very cool seeing the farms and how they grow their fruits and their food. I just love the Philippines so much.

              But the biggest surprise I ever got was when we stop by a pineapple farmer field, and the farmer had big piles of pineapple for sale by the road, and we bought 2 of them. My wife and I kept one and gave the family one, Marilou and I took our pineapple back to our hotel room, and cut it and started to eat it. I was so very surprised it was the most delicious thing, I ever ate in my life, and I'm not kidding is was the best tasting thing I ever ate. I can't wait to go back to the Philippines, their pineapples are so delicious and all the people there are most kind and loving people you will ever meet.  

             So if you ever get the chance to go to the Philippines, do not pass it up. They are lots of things there you can do and so many beautiful places to see. The people are so very kind and loving and they have so many different kind of fruits, and they are so good. They have about 5 different kinds of bananas, like I said they grow lots of mangoes and coconuts, strawberries just to name a few, but if you do get to go make sure you get a pineapple.

            If you want to try to grow your own pineapple, we will tell you how. We found the information on the Internet. So good luck and enjoy your Pineapple.


                                             ( How To Grow Pineapple )

Instructions:

Things You'll Need :

* Fresh, ripe pineapple with a healthy crown
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Small glass
* 8-inch pot with sufficient drainage
* Gardening soil
* Fertilizer for house plants
* Water  

Prepare The Crown:

1. Examine the crown of the pineapple. It's pointy leaves should be healthy and green.

2. Lay the pineapple sideways on a cutting board. Cut off the crown of the pineapple, and carefully trim away any excess flesh. You should cut close enough to the crown to see the small dots that indicate root buds. These will become the roots of the pineapple plant you grow.

3. Remove any leaves around the base of the crown. These can rot when you plant the crown, and you want a bare stem around the base of the crown.

4. Turn the cut crown upside-down and let it dry for one week. The cut end of the crown should be hard by the end of this time.  

Develop The Root System of The Crown:

1. Put the dried crown in a container of water, and set the container in a place where there are few temperature fluctuations.

2. Change the water in the container every few days.

3. Check the crown for slight root growth after three weeks.

Plant The Crown:

1. Fill the bottom of a pot with small stones.

2. Add potting soil to the halfway point.

3. Remove the crown from the water, and set it on the soil in the pot.

4. Add more soil to fill the pot, tapping it down firmly around the crown.

5. Fertilize and water the soil just after planting.

Ken & Marilou in the Philippines  January  2005 
6. Put the pot in a sunny place, and keep the soil moist but not wet.

7. Look for new leaves within about six to eight weeks.

8. Water the pineapple plant every week.


                        ( Tips & Warnings: )

** Some pineapple growers believe that the crown develops better roots if you use a container made of dark glass.

** Fertilize the pineapple plant every two or three months after planting.

** A pineapple plant might not produce a pineapple for two or three years.

** Remember that pineapple plants are tropical. Keep your pineapple plant inside if you live in a cold climate. During warm summer months, you can leave your pineapple plant outside.

** A pineapple plant will need to be about six feet tall and six feet across in order to produce a large pineapple.

** Do not use a pineapple crown with grayish spots at its base. These might indicate an insect infestation in the pineapple and will keep you from growing a pineapple plant.

** Gently pull the leaves on the crown of the pineapple plant. If they come out too easily, the pineapple crown is too overripe for planting.

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Orange Trees ( How To Plant )

              Hello! and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.  

               Today we are going to share with you how to plant Orange Trees. Orange trees are easy to grow and they look beautiful in your yard, They are beautiful addition for works landscaping. Orange trees love full sun, you need to be in a warm southern climate to grow them in the America.  

              Oranges are not just loved here in America, but all over the world. And if you want your own orange tree you can have one, they are very easy to grow, but if you live in a cold climate you will have to grow your orange tree in a big pot, but if your climate is warm all year round you can grow your orange trees outside. ((( Yes We All Love Our Oranges. )))

               How To Grow Your Very Own Orange Trees.

Instructions:

1. Choose a location in your yard. Orange trees prefer full sun or as much sun as you can possibly provide in your yard. They will also thrive under the slight or partial shade of tall trees such as oak or evergreen. Also find soil in your yard that is arid and gritty. If such soil does not exist, add compost to help it drain better and thus become more arid.

2. Ready the site. Once you've found a location in your yard, ready the site. Make sure there are no weeds, tree stumps, large rocks or other debris that will impede the growth of your orange tree. Once such debris is removed, rake the area.

3. Moisten the roots. Assuming you've already purchased your orange tree, place it in a large bucket of water so that the roots will moisten. Leaving the tree in a bucket for about an hour will suffice.

4. Measure the planting site. To do this hold the tree upward and spread the roots out over the soil; this will let you know how large the hole has to be. It should be wide enough to encompass all of the roots.

5. Dig the hole. The depth of your hole should be in direct proportion to the depth of the soil that the orange tree has been sitting in its pot. The hole should be about 3 inches shorter, so that the potting soil is resting 3 inches above your yard soil.

6. Check the placement of the bud union. It should be above the soil level when placing the tree in its hole.

7. Fill in the soil. Do this so that the hole is half covered. Then pat the soil firmly to remove any air pockets. Then fill the rest of the hole with water. Allow that to settle and then fill in the rest of the hole with more dirt to complete planting.

8. Build a basin. Orange trees need plenty of water. Make sure you build a basin around the tree that holds about 10 gallons of water. This will act as a "catch" for the tree when it rains or is watered, to make sure it receives adequate water.

Things You Will Need:

* Shovel
* Rake
* Bucket
* Water        

Tips & Warnings:  

**Different species of orange trees ripen at different times of the year. The following are some general schedules of how they ripen. Macetera ripens from February through June. Valencia ripens from March through June.  Robertson Navel and Washington Navel ripen mid-November through early-March.

**It will take between 3 and 4 years for your orange tree to bear fruit.


              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Eggplant Recipes ( How To Cook )

               Hello! and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.  

               Today, Marilou and I have 2 more eggplant recipes. We hope you all will give them a try, we have not try them yet, but Marilou and I are going to decide on one and cook it on Sunday, we will give you a update later on which one we chose to cook, and how it turned. Sometime we try different things to cook and they taste so bad we throw it out, but we never give up, we just keep on cooking and trying different things to cook.    

               We sometimes get it just right and it is so delicious, and that is why we never give up our good home cooking, and when you get it right it will be better eating than any restaurant food you can buy, and the price is a whole cheaper. Well I will get off here and let Marilou give you the other 2 recipes that we found on the Internet. ( Enjoy ).  

# 1 Recipe:  

Eggplant and Rice    

Ingredients:  

1 cup uncooked rice  
1 chopped onion  
3 Tablespoons oil
1 eggplant  
2 cups tomato juice  
basil, parsley and thyme.  

Preparations:  

1. Cook rice till done for 10 minutes.

2. Steam the eggplant.  

3. Brown the onion in oil. Mix herbs with drained rice.

4. Add the eggplant. Grease a baking dish and pour in mixture.

5. Sprinkle with onion. Pour tomato juice over all, and bake 25 minutes until nice and bubbly.    

*********************************************************************************

#2 Recipe:  

Baked Eggplant  

Ingredients:  

2 cups eggplant pulp
2 eggs  
1/2 cup of milk
salt and pepper
1 cup corn flakes
1 tablespoon butter  

Preparations:  

1. Parboil the eggplant about 20 minutes. Cool. Remove the skin.

2. Press pulp through a colander. Beats eggs and milk together.

3. Add pulp and seasonings. Put the mixture in a buttered baking dish.

4. Sprinkle the corn flakes over the top. Dot with butter and bake at 350 until lightly browned. Serves 6  

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Eggplant ( Ways To Cook )

              Good day to you all, we hope you all are having a good day and welcome back with us here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.      

              Today, Marilou has some good recipes on ways to cook Eggplant, we found some good recipes on the internet. Today Marilou will tell you about the 2 recipes that sound the best to us, we can't wait to try them our self, so we hope you all will enjoy them too!!!    

#1. Recipe:  

Ingredients:  

1 Eggplant pared and sliced in 1/4 inch slices  
Flour
Tomato sauce or slice some fresh tomatoes
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Olive oil    

Preparation:  

1. Pared and slice the Eggplant in 1/4 inch slices.  

2. Flour each piece and fry in a little oil till brown on each side.  

3. Drain in paper towels, then layer in a casserole dish.  

4. Between each layer add a tsp. of tomato sauce on each slice or you can use some fresh tomatoes if you don't have tomato sauce. and add shredded mozzarella cheese.  

5. Usually 1 eggplant makes 3 layers in an 8x12 inch casserole dish. Top with Mozzarella cheese as the final topping.  

6. Then bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cheese starts bubbling.      

*********************************************************************************

#2. Recipe:  Fried Eggplant

Mom's Fried Eggplant    

*Pare eggplant and cut in thin slices. Dredge in flour, place in a small amount of hot oil to brown each side. Season with salt and pepper. Drain on paper towels.  

Fried Eggplant    

*Pare eggplant and cut in thin slices. Sprinkle with salt and let stand till some of the juices run out. Drain off liquid and sprinkle with flour. Dip in egg, diluted with 2 tablespoons of water, and seasoned with salt and pepper. Cover with fine dry bread crumbs. Fry in a little fat 8 to 10 minutes, turning once to brown both sides.  

Oven Fried Eggplant  

*Dip the eggplant slices in egg, then in a mix of 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese with a dash or two of paprika in it. Oil a baking pan or cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or so on a side.  

             Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Eggplant ( How To Grow )

              Hello! we are glad you are back with us today. This is Ken and Marilou on Garden The Easy Way.

              Today, we would like to talk about a vegetable that is not talked about, and is left out of most gardens, for what every reason maybe they don't have enough room or maybe a lot of people just don't like their taste or they think they would be too hard to grow. We are talking about Eggplant, either you love them or you hate them, but I will be the first one to say, it is all in the way you fix the eggplant for the dinner table. There are lots of different ways to prepare Eggplant for the dinner table, they can be breaded and fried, grilled, baked, stir-fry, or stewed. We will share a good recipe with you on tomorrows blog, but today we would like to share with you just how easy it is to grow Eggplant.  

How To Grow Eggplant:

1. Only plant after the soil has warm up. You can plant seeds, but it is a lot easier to go to your local nursery and buy the plants, that is a lot quicker. Eggplant like hot weather, plant in full sun. There are different kinds of Eggplant that you can plant, but the most popular one to plant is Black Beauty, they are dark rich color, and they do taste so delicious.  

2. Just like most of your vegetables, your soil is always most important. Eggplant does best in rich soil, you will need to work up your soil down to 8-10 inches is best. Eggplant like a well drain soil, plant in a row, after working up your soil, pick up all rocks, roots and any grass clods. Add 2 inches of aged cow or horse manure or 3 to 4 inches of compost, using your garden tiller or shovel mix it up well again down to 8 to 10 inches.

3. Using your garden rake, level out your row, set your plants 12 inches apart, if you plant more than 1 row make your rows 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart. Water well after planting, after the second week , mulch to help hold the moisture in and also help heat in the soil, and if you will add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, it will help to keep out the weeds. Never let your soil dry out.  

4. Harvest your Eggplant in about 80-85 days after planting.

  ( Money Saving Tip: )

Free Fertilizer, if go and talk to your local farmer, and ask him if he has any old aged manure that you can get for your garden, most all farmers are happy to get rid of the cow and horse manure and they will give you all that you will need for ( Free ). My wife Marilou and I will go see our farmer down the road from us, we will take a pickup to see the farmer and after we get there I will put down a piece of plastic inside inside of the pickup bed. Most all farmers are so very kind people and they are hard working people, and they are always willing to help out other people anyway they can. Our farmer down the road from us he will even go and get his big tractor and he will give us 3-big scoops of good old aged cow and horse manure, and now we have a big load of the Best All Natural Organic Fertilizer That Money Can Buy For ( FREE ). When you go to see the farmer tell him what you are doing with the manure, and tell him you want the old aged manure.
   
 
A Little History:  The eggplant was among the plants introduced early into America by the Spaniards. It was grown in Brazil before 1650. In the United States purple and white varieties for ornament were described in 1806. Until a mere 50 years ago many varieties of eggplant grown in America were for ornament only.


               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Cabbage Chinese Napa 6 Ways To Cook ( How To Cook )

              Hello! and welcome back here with us today, this is Ken and Marilou with you on Garden The Easy Way.    

              Today we have some good news for Napa Cabbage lovers. Marilou and I have found 6 more recipes on how to cook Napa cabbage, we have not tried cooking them yet, but we will in the future. We just found them today on the Internet so we wanted to share them with all of our friends that follow us on our Garden The Easy Way blog.  Marilou and I are so happy you are our friends and you follow our blog, we have people tell us time to time they sure like our Garden Blog and that make us feel so good. Thank you all, that is what keep us going. Marilou and I will always do the best that we can and we are planning on keeping our blog going, and we are happy you will be with us!!!. Thank you for being there. OK here is Marilou with the recipes.    

How To Cook Chinese Cabbage  

             Bok choy and Napa remain the most commonly known Chinese cabbages available to Americans. With a mild flavor and pleasing texture, both adapt easily to any recipe calling for green cabbage. Bear in mind that cooking Bok choy and Napa the Chinese way means stir-frying or steaming. Read the steps below to learn how to prepare both cabbages in a variety of ways.    

Instructions:  

1. Separate stalks from leaves of bok choy. Add each separately to a sizzling wok, along with peanuts oil, salt and minced fresh ginger. Stir-fry leaves for 30 seconds and stalks for two minutes.  

2. Heat a large non-stick skillet. Add olive oil and finely chopped scallions. Mix in shredded napa, adding salt and minced chili pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.  

3. Melt butter in a large casserole. Add bok choy leaves, cut into large ribbons, salt, black pepper and two tablespoons of chicken broth. Cover and cook over low heat for one hour.

4. Slice napa cabbage finely. Brown ground pork, scallions, finely chopped red pepper and grated ginger in peanut oil. Add cabbage, rice wine and salt. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.  

5. Prepare a mixture of cooked white rice, chopped cilantro, finely chopped white onions, sesame oil, crushed garlic and red pepper flakes. Blanch bok choy leaves for 30 seconds. Stuff each leaf with some of the rice mixture and bake in a buttered casserole for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.    

6. Stir-fry sliced yellow onions, red and green peppers and blanched broccoli for two minutes. Add shredded napa cabbage,***ake mushrooms and garlic. Stir fry three minutes, adding soy sauce, hoisin sauce and mirin.

             Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Cabbage Napa Family Recipe ( How To Cook )

               Good day to you all, we would like to welcome you all back here today with us, this is Ken and Marilou with you on Garden The Easy Way.    

               Today, we will be sharing a family recipe all the way from the Philippines. This recipe is one of my wife Marilou's family recipe, and it is so very delicious. My wife Marilou is a Filipino and let me tell you that my wife and her Mother and sisters have a lot of very good recipes, and they all are so very delicious. We will be sharing some more recipe with you later but let me tell you about this one first. The name of my wife's family recipe for today is " Napa Cabbage Family Recipe ", it is very healthy for you. Some people call this cabbage " Chinese Cabbage ", here in the USA we just call this cabbage " Napa Cabbage ". It is my wife Marilou and my favorite cabbage when it comes to eating. We like eating other cabbage but this Napa is the best for us, we love it. OK, Marilou is ready to give you the recipe. ( So Enjoy Eating Your Napa Cabbage ).  

Ingredients:  

2 lbs. of meat ( pork or beef meat, whichever you prefer )  
1 whole of  Napa Cabbage
1 Onion ( cut in half )
1 Garlic clove
6-7 cups of water
1 tsp. of salt, we use sea salt.
1 tsp of pepper.  

Preparations:

1. In a pot, boil the meat in 7 cups of water. Cover and boil in medium heat.  

2. When it start to boil, add the onions and garlic.  

3. While the meats are boiling, take out the brown stuff and bubbles that comes out from the meat.

4. Cover the pot, let it boil for 45 minutes or until the meats are tender.

5. Add salt and peppers to taste.  

6. Lastly, you add the Napa cabbage. You can tell when it's done, just take a fork if it cuts easy.

Tips:
** Napa cabbage is so quick to cook, make sure not to overcooked the cabbage.

** Napa cabbage is best to cook with pork meat or beef meat.

** If you use beef meat,  you can add potatoes and green beans. For more flavor taste add a beef cube.

             Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Napa Cabbage ( How To Grow )

               Hello! and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.  

               Today Marilou and I would like to talk about our favorite eating cabbage, and we think if you have ever ate, or if you give it a try it will be your favorite eating cabbage too. We are talking about Napa Cabbage, it is so very delicious.  

               Most of us here in the United states, we just know this delicious cabbage as Napa Cabbage, but the real name is Chinese Napa Cabbage. But after you eat it, you too will say " oh so delicious!! ".

               There are so many very good recipes out there on how to cook Napa Cabbage. My wife Marilou tomorrow will share with you all one of our favorite home made recipes on cooking Chinese Napa Cabbage.

               Some good news too is Chinese Napa Cabbage will grow just about anywhere, as long as you plant early 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, Chinese Napa Cabbage must be grow in cool weather. Here are some things you will need to keep in mind when planting Chinese Napa Cabbage.

1. Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, so you can harvest before the temperature go above 75 degrees.

2. Plant in full sun, or if it get hot early in your area, plant in a part shaded area. Your Napa Cabbage must stay cool, when growing.

3. Use your garden tiller or your shovel, work the soil well down to 8 to 10 inches, add 2 inches of aged cow or horse manure, or 3 inches of compost mix well once again, pick up all the rocks, roots and grass.  

4. Take your garden rake and mound your rows. It is best if you plant 2 rows even if they are short rows, you can use your garden rake or garden hoe to mound the soil, make your 12 inches apart.

5. Plant your seed 4 inches apart down the center of the mound in your garden row. Plant your seed only 1/2 inch deep. After planting, water well but only light shower so you will not uncover your seeds.

6. After your plants come up 3 to 4 inches, keep the healthiest plants and thin to 12 to 15 inches apart.

7. Water often, the soil must stay moist. If soil dry, out your plants could die or just go to seed.  

8. Day to Harvest: 50 to 85 days, use a sharp knife to cut the Chinese Napa Cabbage heads at the ground level.

                                 ( Enjoy Your Delicious Chinese Napa Cabbage )  

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Tomato Soup ( Elliott's Homemade Tomato Soup ) ( How To Cook )

              Hello! and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, This is Ken and Marilou.    

              Today we would like to talk about one of the most popular soup there is, and just about every one like it. Tomato Soup, it is so good, but did you know if you just take your time you can make your very own homemade tomato soup. You can put in what you like the most and leave out what you do not like, and when you get your homemade tomato soup done, it will not be just good it will be delicious. We call our homemade tomato soup, " Elliott Home Made Tomato Soup ".  

Ingredients:    

4 tbsp. of butter
1 large onions, finely chopped  
7 garlic cloves, minced or chopped  
4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of milk
4 cups of tomato juice
2  ( 28 oz.) cans of crushed tomatoes,if you do not have your own fresh garden tomatoes, you can buy in cans in store
4 tsp. of sugar
1/2 tsp. salt ( or to taste, we use seasoned salt )
Parmesan cheese ( optional )
black pepper to taste  

Directions:  

1. In a bowl combine 3 cups of tomato juice with crushed tomatoes and milk.

2. In a saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat.

3. Add in onion, saute until softened about 3 minutes.

4. Add in garlic, cook stirring for 2 minutes.

5. Add in flour and stir for 1 minute.

6. Slowly add in the tomato/milk mixture whisking constantly to remove any lumps; bring to a boil stirring frequently until bubbly and thickened, then season with sugar, salt and pepper (the mixture will be quite thick).  If you find that the soup is too thick for your liking you may thin out with V-8 tomato juice for the best flavor.

7. Reduce heat to low, add in remaining 1 cup of tomato juice ( or more ) and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour (can simmer longer if desired, if the soup is still too thick for your liking add in more tomato juice and keep seasoning with salt and pepper if needed during cooking).

8. Ladle into bowl then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and croutons if desired.  

                               Elliott's Homemade Tomato Soup, Oh So Delicious!!!  

              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Horseradish ( How To Grow )

               Hello! and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou, we are happy you are with us today.      

                Today Marilou and I would like to talk about another vegetable that is sometimes forgotten, we are talking about Horseradish, either you love it or you hate it. I can remember back as a small boy, my Dad and Mom eating Horseradish, and they would try to get my little brother and I to eat it, we just could not stand the taste, but Dad and Mom loved it.  

                Horseradish is a root vegetable and it is sometimes classified as an herb. Horseradish will just about grow anywhere you plant it, and you should not plant it in your garden, Horseradish grows so fast you need to plant it by it self, if not it could take your garden over ( Horseradish grows so quickly).      

                There are two popular variety of Horseradish, the most popular we were told for the USA is Maliner Kren, and the second runner up is Wasabe Horseradish which is a relative to the Maliner Kren Horseradish. the Wasabe Horseradish is used a whole lot in stir fry in Asian cooking.    

                Horseradish, will grow very fast and it does not need much attention. Horseradish grows faster and better in cool weather, but it will grow in hot weather too. We will share with you how to plant and grow Horseradish, but there are a few things to keep in mind, just like anything when it comes to planting.    

1. Find a good spot out of your way and out of your garden, horseradish likes ( Full Sun ).      

2. Horseradish is a root vegetable, so you will need to dig down in the soil 12 inches. Use your garden tiller and till the soil up well, pick up all the rocks, roots and grass.    

3.After tilling your soil, add 2 to 3 inches of aged cow or horse manure, or if you wish add 2 to 3 inches of compost, using your garden tiller mix in well, make sure to dig down to 12 inches. After tilling, take your garden rake and level the soil.    

4. Using your garden hoe, make your row or rows 3 inches deep.  Horseradish comes in roots not seeds, you plant roots when you plant horseradish.  

5. Plant your horseradish 3 inches deep and 12 inches apart, if planting more than 1 row, make rows 36 inches apart, horseradish has big long dark green leaves.

6. After planting, water well. Never let the soil go dry, you may need to water everyday if it is hot and dry. if you get rain do not water, you could cause the roots to rot. To test your soil to see if it need watering, just stick your finger down 3 to 4 inches in the soil. If you feel any moisture or wetness, your soil is OK for today, check it the same way tomorrow.  

7. Day To Harvest: If you plant your roots in early spring, you can harvest in 180 to 240 days. They will have a better flavor if you leave them in after 2 to 3 frosts.  

                                                          ( Enjoy Your Horseradish )  

             Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou. wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.        

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Elliott's Vegetable Soup ( Recipe )

              Good day to you all, this is Ken and Marilou with you all on Garden The Easy Way.  

               Today Marilou and I would like to tell you about another tasty vegetable soup recipe. We found a recipe close to this one and we make some changes to suit our taste, and it is so delicious, we hope you all like it. That is the thing about vegetable soup, if there is a vegetable you don't like leave it out. We call our new vegetable recipe  ( Elliott's Vegetable Soup ).  

Ingredients:  

2 tbsp. olive oil
3 large onions, finely chopped  
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped  
2 quarts beef broth or chicken broth  
5 carrots, finely diced  
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
3 turnips, finely diced ( optional )  
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. thyme
2 29 oz. can tomatoes, pureed
2 cups of frozen corn  
2 cups of frozen green beans
2 cups of frozen peas
1 big head cabbage finely chopped
2 cups soup pasta
1/2 grated Parmesan cheese          

Preparations:  

1. Saute onions and garlic in olive until lightly golden. Stir in beef broth or chicken broth, green beans, carrots, celery, turnips and any hard vegetables such as potatoes. Add celery seed and thyme.

2. Simmer for half an hour, or until vegetables are tender.

3. Stir in pureed tomatoes, peas, corn and cabbage.     

4. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes before serving.    

5. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.          

Servings: 9-12 serving depending on portion      

Variations: Any kind of vegetable that you prefer can be substituted. 1-2 cups of shredded cooked beef or ham may be added during the last 15 minutes.        

              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Turnip Greens ( How To Cook )

              Good day to you all, this is Ken and Marilou with you on Garden The Easy Way.    

              Marilou and I shared with you all on yesterday blog how to make garden, and how to grow Turnips and Turnip Greens. So today we would like to share with you all a recipe that we found online, on how to cook Turnip Greens. We hope you all will enjoy this recipe.          

              Turnip Greens  ( How To Cook )    

              Turnip greens are a nutritious and healthy year-round treat. Turnips are similar to spinach, turnip greens can be steamed, sauteed or stir-fried, though this classic Southern recipe calls for boiling---with bacon or salt pork adding a salty, savory kick. If you don't eat meat, follow the preparation and boiling instructions and then use some margarine to flavor when the greens are finished cooking.        

Instructions:  

Things You'll Need  

*  Large stockpot
*  Large iron skillet or whatever you have  
*  Medium skillet  
*  Bacon (sliced) or salt pork (cubed)  
*  Salt (optional)  
*  Water
*  Cutting board  
*  Knife
*  Serving bowl    

1. When you are ready to prepare the greens, wash them thoroughly in a sink full of cold water, it loosens grit better than simply rinsing, and shake off the water. Place them on a cutting board, and gather the greens into a small bundle with one hand. Hold the greens and cut them widthwise in several places to make smaller pieces. Remove any tough stems. Put the pieces in a stockpot.    

2. Add enough water to the stockpot to just barely cover the greens. They will shrink down, so you don't need a lot of water. Sprinkle salt into the water if you aren't adding bacon or salt pork; if you are adding meat, don't add salt.    

3. Boil the greens until they are tender enough to cut with the side of a fork. Remove the greens from the water with a strainer or a slotted spoon and transfer them into a large skillet. Save some of the water the greens were cooked in.  

4. While you are boiling the greens, cook a few slices of bacon in a separate skillet until crispy. Blot the excess grease off the bacon with paper towels and chop up the slices.  

5. Place the bacon in the large skillet with the greens. If you are using salt pork cut it into small pieces and add it to skillet with the greens. Add a little of the leftover water from the stockpot to the skillet, enough to keep the greens from scorching or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook on a moderately low temperature until the salt pork is fully cooked, or until the greens with bacon are fully hot and tender.  

6. Drain off most of the hot liquid. Leave just a little to help keep the greens hot in the serving bowl.  

Tips & Warnings:    

*  You can boil the salt pork with the greens if you wish.  

*  Watch the greens closely to avoid overcooking them. You're looking for the consistency of cooked spinach.    

            Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.    

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Turnips Purple Top White Globe and Turnips Greens ( How To Grow )

              Welcome back here today, this is Ken and Marilou with you on Garden The Easy Way.    

              Today Marilou and I would like to talk about another vegetable, that sometime is forgotten. And I can remember back as a small boy, my Mom and Dad love them and planted them every year.  

               Turnips, my Mom and Dad just love turnip greens and the roots are rich in flavor too. So many people so called back in the good old days will tell you there is nothing better to eat than a big mass of Turnips and Turnips Greens. My Mom and Dad told my little brother and I, turnips greens and turnips are very healthy for us to eat, and just like most kids today we did not want to eat turnips, because they were vegetables. I do understand now what Mom and Dad was trying to do, we all should eat our vegetables they are Very Healthy In Vitamins and we all need to be Healthy.

               To make the Turnips Greens, you will just take a knife and cut off the green tops about 1 inch from the Turnip, more leaves will grow back. Later you can dig up the root and eat it too.

               You may love eating turnips, and Turnips Greens or you may not like them, but if you would like to try eating them they are easy to grow, but just like we always say there are some things you need to know about planting and growing before you get your planting on the way.

1. Your soil is always important, Turnips like a good rich well drained soil. You can plant your Turnips in rows or you can plant them in the Turnip bed, you will need to work up the soil well down to the depth of 18 to 24 inches, because Turnips have big roots.You will need to pick up all the rocks, roots, grass, break up all the dirt clods.

2. Turnips like full sun. You can plant Turnips seeds early, as early as 2 weeks before the last frost. Before you plant add 2 inches of compost or 2 inches of aged cow or horse manure and mix well with your garden tiller or shovel, making sure you dig down to 18-24 inches.

3. Take your garden rake and level the soil. Now you are ready to plant. Sow your seeds 2 inches apart and only 1/2 inch deep. Rows should be 24-30 inches apart. Plant using your hands only, the seeds are so small you will have to be very careful not to plant too many seeds in one spot, and not to plant too deep. Water well after planting, water with a light shower gently, so you will not uncover the seeds. Keep soil moist, not soaking in water, you may have to water with a light shower gently 2 times a day until seeds germinate, especially during hot weather. Even after your turnips come up never let your soil dry out, in hot weather you may have to water once a day or at least every other day.

4. If you like a lot of greens, the turnips has a tasty tops so do not thin too much after your turnips come up, only thin 4-6 inches apart. If you like bigger turnips and less tops thin to 10-12 inches apart.

5. You can plant a second crop of turnips, for a winter crops sow your seeds in late July or early August.

6. Maturity in  Days: 60-85 days.  

                                         ( ENJOY YOUR TURNIPS and TURNIPS GREENS )  

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Beets ( How To Grow )

              Hello and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.    

              Today Marilou and I would like to talk about a very good eating garden vegetable, that is not talked about a lot. Beets are just over look and they should not be, they are delicious. We will also share with you all on how to plant Beets.  

              Beets are a root crop, and they are different varieties, some of the most popular beets are Detroit Dark Red, Bull's Blood and Chioggia. Whichever one you choose to plant in your garden, you will be happy you did. Just like everything in a garden there are some things you need to know.  

              Beets do not like hot weather, and you should plant early in the spring. But you can plant and grow beets in the summer if you have shade over them after 6 to 7 hours of full sun.    

              For Best Results on Growing Beets:  

1. Plant in rows, Beets are a root crop, so you will need to dig down 12 inches, using your garden tiller, work up the soil well so the root has plenty of room to grow. Add about 2 inches of aged cow or horse manure and 2 to 3 inches of compost using your garden tiller mix up well. Beets prefer a sandy soil, with a pH between 6.5 to 7.5.  

2. Using your garden rake, level out your rows, picking up all rocks and roots and any grass.  

3. Now you are ready to plant, using your garden hoe, make your rows, down the center of the tilled soil, not too deep, you will sow your beets only 1/2 inch deep. Sow your rows 3 to 5 inches apart. Always water well after planting.    

4. After 5 to 10 days depending on the variety you plant and the temperatures, seed should begin germinating, put down a thin layer of straw over the top, water well the thin layer of straw will help keep the moisture in. Do not cover them with too much straw or they will not come up.    

5.  After the seedling come up, you need to thin the seedling out, leaving the healthy seedling to grow, thin to about 5 to 6 inches apart.    

6. Straw between the beets and on both sides of your rows about 2 to 3 inches. After beets are 4-6 inches, the straw will help hold the moisture in, and help keep the weed out.  

7. Water well after putting straw down. Never let the soil go dry, beets like a lot of moisture, not soggy, but wet.  

8. Beets have their best flavor when harvested at about 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. If you let your beets get bigger they will loose their delicious flavor.  

9. Days to harvest depend on the beets you plant, but don't worry, beets are a fast growing vegetable.  

                                      ( Enjoy Your Delicious Beets!)    

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.        

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Strawberry Jelly ( How To Make )

              Good day to you all this is Ken and Marilou, with you all today on Garden The Easy Way. Today we have a real sweet surprise recipe, we would like to share with you all. Today Marilou and I found it on the internet, and it goes with what we were blogging about on our Garden The Easy Way blog, on how to make and grow your very own strawberry garden. And it is so quick and easy to make.  

                                                         ( Enjoy Your Sweet Surprise! )      

               Strawberry Jelly  ( How To Make )      

*What I really like about this recipe, you have control if you don't like your jelly real sweet like Marilou and I, just don't add as much sugar, try using just half sugar and it will be healthier for you.    

Instructions:        

Things You'll Need    

* jelly jars & lids    
* strawberries two pints or more    
* sugar, depending on how sweet you like it. Start by adding 2 cups or reduce sugar by 1 cup.    
* Sterilized jars and lids      

1. Wash and cut tops of Strawberries, then in half again.  

2. Place in large sauce pan, heat on high until the start to boil. Stirring the berries is important.  

3. Reduce heat but continue boiling until they are soft and can be mashed with a potato masher. Doing this way will keep some of the pulp. Continue to stir.

4. Add sugar and continue stirring until sugar dissolves. The sugar acts as a thickening agent.  

5. Stir and continue to boil until mixture thickens. Test by running the back of a spoon through the jelly and notice if it sticks to the spoon.  

6. When done, let cool and transfer to jelly jars. Jelly can be served with everything from biscuits to ice cream.  Enjoy and good luck.      

Tips & Warnings:  

* Make enough to give away.    

* All utensils must be free of any water.      

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Strawberry Smoothie ( How To Make A Healthy Fat-Free Strawberry Smoothie )

              Hello and welcome back here today, this is Ken and Marilou with you on Garden The Easy Way.

              We told you all how to plant strawberries in your garden, and how to take care of them, we also shared with you how to make strawberry jam.  

               Today we have another special treat to share with you all, and when you use your fresh garden strawberry it will be delicious.      

               Today, Marilou and I are going to tell you how you make a delicious smoothie that is healthy and fat-free. We found this " Strawberry Smoothie " recipe on the Internet, and had to share it with you all.  

               How To Make A Strawberry Smoothie    

               Healthy, fast and fat-free, the strawberry smoothie is a perfect choice when berries are in season. This recipe serves four.         

Things You'll Need:  

8 oz. cold water
4 tbsp. honey  
25 medium strawberries
Blenders
Drinking glasses  
1/2 cup crushed ice  

Instructions:    

1. Wash and hull strawberries.

2. Put strawberries, honey and water into a blender.

3. Add crushed ice.

4. Blend until smooth; pour into tall glass and serve.    

Tips & Warnings:  

1. Add some lemonade or a small amount of lemon juice if the drink is too sweet.  

2. Add 1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses to boost your iron intake.

3. Add 1 tbsp. brewer's yeast to increase the protein in the drink.

4. Add 1 tbsp. flaxseed oil if you need more omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Add 1 tsp. bee pollen for extra amino acids.      

6. Some people are allergic to bee pollen or other add-ins. Follow package directions carefully or consult your doctor if you have questions.    

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Strawberry Homemade Jam ( How To Make )

              Good day to you all, and welcome back here today with Ken and Marilou on Garden The Easy Way.

              Yesterday we shared with you all on how to make a strawberry garden and how easy it is to grow your very own strawberries. Today we would like to share a very special recipe with you.  

               Strawberry Jam it is Americas number one jam, just about everyone that eats toast in the morning with their breakfast will pick up the strawberry jam and spread it on their toast. Strawberry jam is so very delicious, and just like everything else, garden fresh will always taste so much better. So after you pick your first bucket of fresh strawberries out of your garden, surprise your family and friends and make some homemade strawberry jam they will love it.

               If you will make your very own homemade jam with your fresh garden strawberries, you will have a very tasting jam than you can buy in any store.  

              This is a surprise make homemade strawberry jam is quick and very easy and using your very own fresh strawberries I promise you, it will be even more delicious.  

                                 ( ENJOY YOUR HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM!!! )  

Things That You 'll Need:

6 cups strawberries, washed and mashed
1/4 cup lemon juice  
1 cup of white grape juice or peach juice or 2 and 1/4 cup of sugar, which ever you prefer
1 pkg. powdered fruit pectin (for thickening)  
Large saucepan or pot
Large mixing bowl
Ladle
Clean jars  

Preparations:  

1. Wash 6 cups of strawberries, cut off the green parts and any soft spots, cut strawberries in half and smashed strawberries in a large bowl. Stir and add more strawberries, smashed and stir. Repeat until all your strawberries smashed in the bowl.

2. Put all the smashed strawberries in a large pan or pot. Add the lemon juice stir well, then add the pectin. Continue warming until it reach the full boiling point.

3. Reduce heat back to medium, add 2 and 1/4 cups of sugar. You can omit the sugar and just add 1 cup of white grape juice or peach juice. Turn the heat up to a full boil, keep stirring for 1 minute and turn off the heat.

4. Skim the foam from mixture, if necessary. Ladle into clean sterilized jars. Wipe rims of jars before you cover. Process in hot water for 10 minutes.

5. Remove and let cool for 12 to 24 hours. This allows settling time. Strawberry jam can be eaten when cooled and thickened, and will last up to one year if stored in a cool place.

Tips:

* During boiling process, you can add up to 1/2 tsp. of butter or margarine to reduce foaming.

               Well that's it for today,  you all will love this Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe, and we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Strawberries ( How To Grow )

               Hello, this is Ken and Marilou and we would like to welcome you back here today on Garden The Easy Way.  

               Today we would like to talk about one of the most popular fruits, and no home garden should not be without it, we are talking about Strawberries. Strawberries are bright red and so beautiful in a garden, and they are easy to grow, you can grow strawberries just about any where.  

              There is nothing like having your very own crop of big bright red sweet delicious strawberries in your garden. I think sometimes people think since the strawberries are so delicious and beautiful they are hard to grow, I will tell you this strawberries are easy to grow, so do not go without your home grown strawberries.  

              You can grow strawberries in your garden, plant them in rows, or make a strawberry bed all by it self. My wife Marilou and I grow strawberries in a big flower pot last year. You will have strawberries for years to come after planting your strawberry plants. Strawberry plants grow runners and your runners of your strawberry plant keeps on growing strawberries year after year.    

              You can cut runners off your strawberry plant, and give them away to a neighbor or family and friends and they too can start their very own strawberry crop, or you can start another crop in a different spot in your garden. Strawberries will grow in cold weather or hot weather, as long as they have their water.  

              There are 3 types of strawberry plants to choose from:

1. Everbearing Strawberry  

2. Day Neutral Strawberry

3. June Bearing Strawberry      

Everbearing - Produce 2 to 3 crops of strawberries during the spring, and summer also in the fall. Everbearing Strawberries do not have a lot of runners.  

Day Neutral - Will produce strawberries all season, lots of fruits and not very many runners, and the strawberries are a little smaller than June Bearing Strawberry.

June Bearing - Only have one large crop of strawberries per year, 2 to 3 week period in the spring. June bearing plants will produce a lot more runners. June Bearing Strawberries has the largest fruit generally.  

               You and your family will have to decide which strawberry plants suits you best. After choosing your strawberry plant. There are some things you will need to know.

1. Your strawberry plants need ( Full Sun ).  

2. Good soil is important, strawberry plants like sandy, well drained soil.  

3. Work up your soil well in early spring. Add 2 to 3 inches of aged manure mix well and then add 2 to 3 inches of compost, and mix well again.  

4. In the early spring after all danger of frost has passed, you are ready to plant, make your rows in a mound 24 inches across. Plant your strawberries 18 inches apart.

5. When planting your strawberries, make a hole in the soil, gently put the root down in the hole and cover up to the middle of the crown of the strawberry plant, most important ( Never cover up the whole crown, only halfway of the crown ) or your plants could die.

6. Mulch 2 to 3 inches between plants and rows to keep the soil temperature cool, and the mulch will help keep the weeds out. Never use any black plastic, it will raise the soil temperature, and will hurt your strawberry plants, and may even kill your plants.

7. Keep your soil cool by watering, if you don't get any rain water 2 times a week. Strawberry plants need their water, so they can produce their fruits. Strawberry plants in order to produce a lot of strawberries, must have cool soil 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water per week is best.    

                                             (  Enjoy Your Strawberries  )

               Well that's it for today, here on Garden The Easy Way, we hope to talk tomorrow. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Spanish Rice ( Homemade Recipe )

              Hello, we hope you all are having a good day today and welcome back here with us today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.      

               Today we would like to tell you all about  a good recipe. A good friend of  Marilou gave this recipe and we want to share it with you all. This recipe is one of our favorite, it is very tasty and it is a very good meal that everybody will love it. The name of this recipe is " Spanish Rice "    

               For our Spanish Rice, we need to make a tomato sauce first, and then the rice. For those of you out there that loves tomatoes, this is a good recipe that surely you will love.    

                                                                  ( ENJOY! )

TOMATO SAUCE

Ingredients:  

20 Ripe Tomatoes
1 Garlic clove  ( chopped )
1 Onion  ( chopped )
1 tbsp of Olive oil
1 tbsp of Butter

Preparation:  

1. Cut all the tomatoes in half and squeeze all tomatoes to take all the seeds out.  

2. After your done with the tomatoes, heat the oil and butter in the pan, saute the garlic and onions.

3. Then add all the tomatoes in the pan and cover it. Cook until it boil. Stir once in a while.

4. Add some salt and pepper to taste.  

5. Cook the tomatoes until the sauce become thick.


RICE:

Ingredients:  

Cooked Rice  ( 2 cups )
Tomato Sauce
1 garlic clove ( chopped )
1 Onion  ( chopped )
1 tbsp. of Olive oil
1 tbsp of Butter  

Preparation:  

1. In the pan, heat the oil and butter and saute the garlic and onion.

2. Add the cooked rice and stir with the garlic and onion.

3. Then pour out the tomato sauce  in the rice and mix them well. Cover the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

4. Serve while it's hot.  

Tips:   You can serve the Spanish Rice with any meal.  

Servings: 6-8 servings depending on the portion size.

             Well that's it for today, we hope you all enjoy this recipe and we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Flower Bed ( How To Make Flower Bed and How To Plant Flower Seed )


              Good day to you all, and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.    

              Marilou and I would like to talk about " Flower Gardens ", they are so beautiful with lots of mix colors, shapes and sizes. When we see a flower garden two things come in most of our minds so beautiful and lots of work, the last part of the thought is wrong, making a flower bed is so easy, and growing flowers is easy too and so rewarding, you and your family get to see them everyday.        

              You can make your flower garden, just about any where you want too, and what ever size and shape you want. I ask Marilou  how she wanted me to make her flower bed, I ask her if she wanted me to make it  in a circle or a long square, she chose the long square flower bed.  

              Making flower bed are fun and quick and easy, but there something to keep in mind that is very important.  

1. What kind of  flowers you are planting, read on back side of your seed pack, and they will tell you if the flower seed you pick out will take full sun or shade area. They are lots of both to choose from, but if you plant in full sun you must have the full sun seeds or your flowers will die.    

2. You and your family decide where to make your flower garden, you must make sure the flower garden is out of your everyday living way, and you and your family decide, if you want a circle flower bed or a square flower bed, and decide how big you want it. You can make a flower garden along beside your house and it will be out of your everyday living way.  If you plant next to your house make sure your flowers get the morning sun, the morning sun  is so very important to any kind of flower garden or vegetable garden, the afternoon sun is hard on most gardens, the hot sun will dry out most of the moisture, that is why you must never let your soil go dry too long, your flowers or your plants will die, all living things must have water. When planting any kind of garden it is always better to make it a family affair, the whole family will enjoy it more, and you will be having good family quality time.

3. You can plant your flowers in ground, or in a raised garden flower bed, if you choose to plant in the ground, in the sun, pick the flower seeds that say to plant in ( Full Sun ) on the back of seed pack. If you are planting in the shade plant the seeds that ( Shady Area ).

4. After deciding on the right spot, work up the soil well. If you are making a big flower garden, it will be easier if you use a garden tiller to work up the soil, if you choose to plant a small flower garden, just use a pick and shovel to work up the soil well about 3 to 4 inches deep.

5. Your soil is very important, if your soil does not look dark and rich, you can add 2 to 3 inches of garden soil mix or 2 to 3 inches of compost, always mix it up well.  

6. After working your soil up well, pick up all the rocks, sticks, grass root. Take your garden rake and level the soil, make sure there is no dirt or soil clods.    

7. Now you are ready to sow your seeds. Use only your hand to sow your seeds, carefully scattering seeds all over your flower garden. After sowing all of your seeds, get a concrete trail, or a short 3 inches 2x4 block of wood and gently push the seeds just barely under the soil.  

8. After planting, water all of your flower garden, with a light mist of water so you will not uncover your flower seeds. Keep flower garden moist for 7-10 days so the seeds will sprout. Some bloom early and some bloom late 25 to 50 days.        

9. Never let your flower garden go dry too long, water 2 to 4 times, a week depending how hot and dry it is or if you are getting any rain. You can fertilize your flower if you like and they will do a lot better, you will have a lot more flowers and the colors will be a lot brighter. Flowers love Miracle-Gro, we use Miracle-Gro on our flowers, and Miracle-Gro has a feeder, you just screws it on your garden hose and start watering. It is so quick and easy to use.

10. We like to plant FERRY-MORSE Annual Cut Flower Mixture, they make it so easy for you, when you buy one pack of seeds you have so many beautiful mixed colors. You can cut fresh flowers out of your flower garden all summer long, to set in your home or give some away, to friends and family.
    

                                                                   ( ENJOY !)  

                Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way, until then this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Onion Red Globe ( How To Grow )

               Hello and welcome back with us today here on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.

               Today we would like to talk about one of the best well known onion, the name of the onion is Red Globe. It is a widely adaptable onion that is as colorful as it is delicious. Great for soups, salads, sandwiches, cheeseburgers, use in a restaurant all over the USA. The medium large bulbs have deep red skin and medium pungency. Ideal for salsas.  

               Onion is easy to grow, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind, you can buy onion bulbs and set them out in your garden or you can buy onion seeds. If you choose to plant seeds, you will need to start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before planting outdoors. When transplanting, clip plants to 3 inches and plant 2 inches deep. Or, sow directly in garden when ground can be worked, placing 2-3 seeds per inch.  

               Thin to 3 inches apart when plants are 6 inches tall. Harvest by pulling bulbs when tops are brown and dry.        

Days to Germination:  10-12 days    

Days to Harvest:  110 days

Planting Depth:  1/2 inch

Spacing: Row/Plant   18 in./3 in.

Preserve By:  Storage & Canning    

SUGGESTIONS:  Fertile, moist soil enriched with compost is best for onion production. Onions ward off many insect pests around lettuce, cabbage and carrots. Use thinnings as green onions.  

             Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Elliott's Vegetable Cube Steak Special ( Recipe )




               Welcome back with us here today on Garden The Easy Way this is Ken and Marilou.  

                We do have a very delicious recipe to share with you all today, I must say if you try this recipe, you and your family will love it for sure, it is a whole meal in one recipe.    

                 My wife Marilou and I cook a lot and we are always trying different ways of cooking, different things to make. It's not only delicious but healthy for us to eat. We call our newest recipe, " Elliott's Vegetable Cube Steak Special ".      

                                                    ENJOY!!!  

Ingredients:  

2 lbs. cube steaks
2 big size of potatoes peeled and cubed  
1 garlic clove
15 oz. can of tomato sauce    
1 1/2 cup of water
2 cups of chopped carrots
2 cups of green beans
2 big size of bell pepper ( green or red )
2 cups of mild shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 tsp. of salt and pepper
1 tbsp. of olive or vegetable oil

Preparation:  

1. Saute the chopped garlic over low heat.

2. Add the meat to the pan, increase the heat, cook the meats until it's brown.

3. Add the potatoes, green beans, carrots,  tomato sauce and water. Cover it and cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add the cheese, stir and add the salt and pepper to taste.

5. Let simmer over medium heat for about 35-40 minutes.

6. Add the bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes. Sauce should thicken up to be a gravy consistency, and the potatoes and green beans should be cooked through.

7. It's best to serve with white rice.    

 

                                                       TIPS:

* If you don't like beef or you prefer pork meat or chicken which ever you prefer will, ( TASTE-GREAT!!! )







               Well that's it for today, we hope you all like our special recipe and we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.      

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Radishes ( How To Grow )

              Good day to you all and welcome back here today with us, this is Ken and Marilou on Garden The Easy Way.    

              Today w would like to talk about Radishes, they are many different varieties of radishes, lots of different colors and different shapes and sizes. Radishes are excellent source of Vitamin C.      

               Radishes are one of the fastest growing vegetables in the garden. Radishes do not like hot weather, the ideal weather is around 70 to 75 degrees.    

               Radishes do best if planted in early spring they will thrive in the cooler weather, from 55 to 75 degrees.  They are a very fast growing vegetable, and will grow in just about any kind of soil.

               How To Plant:

1. Radishes like 6 to 8 hours of sun.  

2. Never plant in a low spot, if you get a lot of rain your garden will be under water,  you will have to replant.

3. Work your soil up very well, down to 6 inches using your garden tiller or your garden shovel and rake.

4. If your soil does not look dark and rich in color, you can add about 2-3 inches of compost, work up your soil well, make sure it is mixed up well.

5. Take your garden rake and level the soil. You can plant radishes in rows in the garden or plant them in a bed by it self. After leveling your soil, use your garden hoe to make the rows.

6. The seeds are small, and they should not be planted no deeper than 1/2 inch. use your hands and gently cover the seeds, making sure all the soil  clods are broken up and no rocks are on your seed.

7. After your seed come up in about 5 to 10 days, thin to  spacing 2 to 3 inches.

8. Radishes are ready to harvest in about 20 to 40 days, depending on the one you choose to plant.

              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way, until then this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.  

Friday, January 6, 2012

Squash Butternut ( Elliott's Butternut Squash Stir Fry ) Recipe

              Hello and welcome back with us today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.  

              Today we have a recipe to share with you all, Marilou and I cook a lot and we are always cooking different things, different ways, and every now and then we come up with a good recipe.

              Today Marilou and I have a very good Butternut Squash Stir Fry recipe, it is so delicious and very colorful. We named it  " Elliott's Butternut Squash Stir Fry Recipe ". If you cook this one, you and your family will like it a lot.        

                                          ( ENJOY! )  

Ingredients:

2 Butternut Squash ( cut in small pieces )
2 lbs. of pork meat ( cut in small pieces ) or ground pork meat
1 Onion ( chopped )
1 Garlic clove ( chopped )
4 Big tomatoes  ( chopped )
1 Large green bell pepper ( cut in pieces )  
2 tbsp of oil ( olive or vegetable )  
Soy sauce to taste

Preparation:  

1. In a skillet, heat the oil and fry the meat, cook until meats are brown.  

2. Add the chopped onion, garlic and tomatoes, saute them  all together.

3. Then add the Butternut Squash that peeled and cut in small pieces.

4. Add soy sauce to taste, the amount is depend on your taste.

5. Lastly, add the green bell pepper and cover it.

6. Let simmer over medium heat. Cook until the squash are tender.

7. Serve with white rice.  

Servings: 6-8 depending on serving size.  

              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again on Garden The Easy Way, until then this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Cabbage ( Elliott's Steamed Cabbage Special ) Recipe

               Welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou, we hope you all are having a good day.  

                Today we would like to talk about Cabbage, if you have been following our blog you already know what we were talking about how good cabbage is for our health, and how delicious it is.  

                We have a very good recipe to share with you all today, it is quick and easy to prepare and it is so very delicious, you and your family will love it. We call it ( Elliott's Steamed Cabbage Special ).  

Ingredients:  

1 large head of cabbage
6 slices of bacon
2 large carrot (grated)
2 large tomatoes
1 large green bell pepper  
1 garlic clove
salt and pepper      

Preparation:      

1. First, fry the bacon then set aside.  

2. Chop or cut the cabbage.  

3. In a frying pan put 1 tbsp. of oil and saute the chopped garlic and tomatoes.

4. Then add the chopped cabbage in the frying pan with hot bacon drippings.  

5. Add 1 cup of water, salt and pepper, cover and turn heat down to simmer.

6. Stir occasionally and do not let cook dry. When almost done add the carrots and bell peppers cook for about 5 minutes.

7. Drain well and add the crumbled bacon.  

Tips:  

* You can adjust the amounts you cook according to the number being served.

* Serve it while it's hot.

Makes: 6-8 servings depending on portion size.    

                             (  ENJOY!  )  

               Well That's it for today, we hope to see you all here tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.    

       

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Cabbage ( Elliott's Stir Fry Vegetables ) Recipe

               Good day to you all, and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.

               Yesterday we shared how to grow Cabbage in your garden, and we told you how good it was for us all to eat a lot of cabbage and about all the health benefits of eating cabbage.  

               Today we would like to share with you all my favorite Cabbage recipe. My wife made this recipe up on her own, we call it ( Elliott's Stir Fry Vegetables ) it is my favorite thing to eat in the world, it is so delicious, I will just about eat the whole thing for dinner, I love it. If you fix it the way my wife Marilou does, I promise you all and your family will love it ( ENJOY) !    

Ingredients:  

2 tbsp of oil ( olive or vegetable )
1 Garlic clove
1 Onion ( chopped )  
4 Big tomatoes
2 lbs. ground meat (pork)
1 Cabbage
3 potatoes ( chopped in small cubes )  
1 cup of green onions ( chopped )
Soy sauce to taste  

Preparation:  

1. Heat the oil in nonstick skillet.

2. Saute chopped garlic, onion, and tomatoes.

3. Add the ground meat to the skillet, increase the heat to medium and cook until meat are brown.

4. Add potatoes, cook for about 10 minutes.

5. Add the dice cabbage and the soy sauce. Let it simmer over medium heat for 30-35 minutes.

6. Lastly, add the chopped green onions and cook for 3 minutes.

7. Serve it with white rice.  

Makes:  6-8 servings.  

            Well that's it for today, we hope you all enjoy the recipe and hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Cabbage ( How to Grow and Health Benefits )

               Hello to you all, and welcome back with us today on Garden The Easy way, this is Ken and Marilou. Today we would like to talk about Cabbage it is so delicious and so very healthy for us, cabbage is at the top of the list of  the worlds most healthy of all of our vegetables.

               There are so many different kinds of cabbage you can grow in your garden which ever kind you choose to plant most all cabbage is planted the same way. We will share today with you how quick and easy cabbage is to plant in your garden, but first there is some very healthy benefits we would like to tell you about.

               Cabbage can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in cabbage do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed. Cabbage provides you with this cholesterol-lowering benefit whether it is raw or cooked. However, a recent study has shown that the cholesterol-lowering ability of raw cabbage improves significantly when it is steamed. Cabbage is excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A. Cabbage in general&mash; but also Savoy cabbage in particular&mash; turns out to be an especially good source of sinigrin. Sinigrin is one of the cabbage glucosinolates that has received special attention in cancer prevention research. The sinigrin in cabbage can be converted into allyl-isothiocyanate, or AITC. This isothiocyanate compound has shown unique cancer preventive properties with respect to bladder cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.  Cabbage is not only healthy for you, it is delicious vegetables for your dinner table, and there are so many recipes that you and your family will love.  

               How To Plant Cabbage    

1. Your soil is important, make sure your soil is a dark rich looking color, you can add 2 to 3 inches of compost and 2 to 3 inches of aged manure, ( cow or horse )  mix well with your garden tiller and pick up any rocks and roots out of your garden. Take your garden rake and level the soil, use your garden hoe to make the rows.

2. Grow your cabbage in at least 50% shade or under a shade-cloth. Start them in flats. Plant your cabbage after all danger of frost and cold weather has passed.  

3. Transplant the cabbage so the first real leaves are just above the soil. This should be deep enough to keep the plants stable. Pack the soil so the root system is completely covered, water well after planting.

4. Protect the seedlings after transplant from insects and pests, by covering the cabbage rows with a lightweight cover. Aphids, cabbage worms, and cabbage maggots can spoil your harvest.  

5. Cabbage loves water,  cabbage is a fast growing vegetables so you will need to water it everyday.    

6. Days to Harvest:  It's all depend on the kind of cabbage you plant, how long it takes to form a head. When will cabbage make a head? is varied. The common green cabbage form heads more quickly than the huge Savoy cabbage. You can expect to see heads in approximately 71 days with green cabbage. Red cabbage takes slightly longer and Nappa cabbage will form small heads in only 57 days. Cabbage head formation sometimes occurs better in the most gently warming conditions of spring than in the cooling days of the fall. Consult the seed packet for days from seed to harvest and be patient. Cabbage is a cool season vegetable crop that you can grow twice in one year.

Things You Will Need:

Garden tiller
Garden hoe
Garden rake
Shade-Cloth
Lightweight Row Cover
Compost
Fertilizer Aged Manure ( cow or horse manure )

Tips :

 Get the best fertilizer money can buy for ( Free ), go see your local dairy farmer or any farmer near you and they will probably give you all you will need for ( Free ), farmers are happy to get rid of it. Our local dairy farmer will even get out his big tractor and give us 3-big scoops, and we have a big pick-up load of the best natural organic fertilizer money can buy for ( Free ), go see your local farmer, most farmers are so kind and willing to help out anyway they can. Make sure you ask for aged manure, cow or horse works great.



              Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way, until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.