Genovese Basil

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Food, Gardening, Nature, Photography, Plants, Vegetarian.

This year I am growing several types of basil. This includes Genovese basil. It smells wonderful, and its big leaves are quite lovely. I have a bunch of small plants that are doing very well and look so pretty, I had to take some pictures.

One day, these lush green plants will be making my spaghetti sauce extra tasty.

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Growing Cherry Tomatoes

Posted on May 20th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Gardening, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.

We have about 10×30 feet in the backyard of fended off garden area, and are growing lots of tomatoes. Here is a picture of the cherry tomatoes. This plant has tripled in size and already making tomatoes within a month of planting it in the ground. It had a little bit of yellowing leaves at the base of the plant, but looks like it is taking off and should make us lots of salad tomatoes. Yum.

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Featured Kitchen Gadget Oxo Garlic Peeler

Posted on May 6th, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Daily Life, Food, Gadgets, Housewares, Kitchen, Photography, Shopping, Vegetarian, Weblog.

We are vegetarians here, so when cooking I need to use non meat bases to make tasty meals. So I use a lot of garlic, and really don’t like having smelly garlic fingers all the time, so I got one of these garlic peelers.

I never knew how these things worked, not a clue, until I had one in my hand. Its very simple. The tube is very gripping and rubbery, and you basically stick a clove of garlic inside and then roll the tube between your hand and the counter. The oil in the garlic loosens the skin, and voila off it comes. Very easily, no stinky garlic fingertips. It washes easily, and I will never be without one of these things again!

I made a special page with a big image of my Oxo Garlic Peeler, and added it to my brand new Kitchen Gadgets page, where I will be adding more of my favorite kitchen things as I can.

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Vegetarian Broccoli & Jalapeno Pizza

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Food, Vegetarian, Weblog.

I found a wonderful quick and easy pizza crust recipe online that you can make with vegan ingredients and its delicious. Here is a tasty picture to entice you:

First, I had already prepared some vegetarian tomato sauce the day before, so I used this for my pizza. A quick recipe for that off the top of my head is one 16 oz can of chopped tomatoes, one 8 oz can of tomato sauce (use organic brands), a sprig of fresh basil, and about one half a clove of fresh garlic. Put all of this in your blender and puree for a couple minutes. Add a dash of some dried oregano, salt and black pepper to taste. Cook on a low to medium heat for about 20 minutes in a stainless steel pan (I find these best for flavor), until desired consistency. Add water to your sauce if needed, in fact you probably will need to add a bit when blending the ingredients.

Of course don’t forget the cheese. I use an entire pack of shredded soy mozzerella cheese. Add your toppings. I use thin sliced onions, mushrooms and jalapenos. Occasionally we do green peppers too.

I need to get a round pizza pan, but for now I manage to fit the dough in a rectangular cookie sheet. It works. I use corn meal sprinkled on the pan before I lay out the dough, this helps the dough cook and also absorbs moisture and makes the dough that much better. A sharp pizza cutter and you are set.

Easy, Yummy and Quick Pizza Crust

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted margarine (both work fine)

Directions:

Preheat oven 425 degrees. Mix the yeast with the lukewarm water untill the yeast is disolved. Let it stand for a couple minutes. Add the salt and vegetable oil/melted margarine. Mix. Add the flour, and mix. Roll out the dough. Put it in the oven for 5 minutes. Take it out and rub margerine over it. Add toppings, and cook for 10-15 more minutes.

Serves: 1

Preparation time: 20 min.

I recommend using extra virgin olive oil, and organic grade a flour. This is best done in your kitchenaid mixer to minimize messiness.

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First post testing template

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Art, Collectibles, Cooking, Design, Dessert, Fabric, Flowers, Food, Gardening, Housewares, Interior Design, Jewelry, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Painting, Photography, Textiles, Toys, Travel, Vegetarian, Vintage, Weblog.

This is the “hello world” first post, edited. I want to test the block quote settings, etc. Here it goes…

Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function.

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