Bright & tangy, cabbage wraps loaded with carrots, zucchini, tofu, and sprouts I've made cabbage wraps probably a half a dozen times, and up until recently I have found myself more or less bored by them. I always want to love them- wrapping vegetables in other vegetables is such an ingenious way to construct a healthy meal- but my early attempts to make them fell short. The cabbage was too rough and bitter and the fillings were mostly indistinguishable. Lack-luster to say the least. But a month or two ago, I made a good one. It was mostly on a whim. We had left over cabbage and odds and ends hanging around and Chris and I decided to give it another go. The first thing I did was to soak the cabbage in water and vinegar while we prepped the other veggies, and this, my friends, was key. It softened both the texture and flavor of the cabbage, making it much more palatable and less pungent, which allows the flavors of the fillings to really come through. I also removed the ribs from the cabbage leaves since they're quite tough and essentially flavorless. Following this success, I decided to make a more concerted effort at a stellar cabbage wrap recipe. And, not to toot my own horn here, by I banged this one out of the park. Chris and I DEVOURED these. Only guttural exclamations of "yum" escaped between crunchy mouthfuls. I only wish that I had made more. The honey ginger vegetables have just the right balance of punch and sweetness and the soy-lime tofu brings a perfect compliment of saltiness and brightness to the table. Alas, I've gushed enough. Try them out and see for yourselves. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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An ode to gardening, harvesting vegetables fresh from the ground, & the feeling of contentment it brings When I'm in the garden, I both forget and remember who I am. I forget the more superficial and temporary aspects of myself and remember what it is to be a human being- alive an aware- observing and interacting with the world that was born from the earth instead of the one we've built up within ourselves. My senses are swarmed with stimulation. The smell of jasmine, rosemary, lavender, and sweet asylum. The sound of hummingbirds, bees, gnats, and crows. Newly sprouted leaves, the first sign of peach blossoms, pockets of brightly colored flowers coming into full bloom... It's hard to express how it feels when you've spent hours with dirt between your fingers and sweat dripping down your back. When the sun starts to set and the air begins to cool and you look over this land that you feel such a partnership with... I've been working with this yard for nearly five years. I've struggled and I've failed- I've made innumerable mistakes- but I've also had my fair share of triumphs and well-thought, well-executed choices. And for as much reading and research that I do about gardening, nothing has been a better teacher than observation (and a fair share of trail-and-error, of course). I go out and walk around my yard every day and I observe. What's happening to what and why? If I do (a), how does it respond? And over time, all this observing has propelled me into this really lovely synchronicity with my little garden ecosystem. I am a part of it and it is a part of me.
Hi there. I am indeed alive and well. I could write oodles of posts on what's been going on in the meantime and why I haven't posted in so long- but I'm not much in the mood for recounting the past couple months. And that's not at all to suggest they were bad (although there were highly unpleasant periods, such as getting the flu- twice), rather, I'm just a little more focused on the present right now. I've been feeling life out a little differently lately and mediating on how each slight shift in focus, balance, and attention resonates with me. Good stuff. Brain yoga. Stretch. Ease into the stretch. Also my camera is broken- so that's been prohibitive. Anyhow, in the meantime, while I'm caught up in trying to be zen and my camera is non-functional, I figured I could at least offer up some of my favorite recipes as of late from other bloggers.
Crispy sweet potato chips smothered with peppers, carrots, and spicy peanut dressing Lately things have been feeling weird. Up until the past few days I haven't really felt like myself. And although I have a list of reasons about a mile long why, all those reasons are just bits and pieces of the same driving force. Change. All summer long I worked carefully to achieve a delicate balance. I enlisted new routines, I tried many different approaches to working, I reflected and assessed the strengths and weakness of my days... But now things are just different. The morning routine I proudly settled on by the end of summer is no longer applicable to most of my week. My delicate balancing act of priorities has toppled into a giant mess as a slew of new responsibilities and obligations have been tossed into the mix. My initiative to maintain progress on all of the things most important to me has devolved into a simple system of "what do I have to do immediately, what do I have to do really soon, and what have I been putting off for so long that I can actually justify bumping it up on the to do list?". I won't say my summer of seeking balance was all for naught- it was an important exercise. But life isn't like some project were you work really hard, execute your plan, buffer out the imperfections, and presto: Balance! Contentment! Keep that on the shelf for later! Life is fluid and dynamic. It's always changing and you can try to hold on to your plans and schedules and ideals when the tides shift, or you can go with the flow. And this fall, the current is strong, the waves are massive, and after a few frustrated months of stubbornly trying to swim up stream, I just threw my hands up into the air and let the flow of the water do the navigating.
Flakey biscuits, bursting roasted cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese
Several months ago, I was craving an egg sandwich on a biscuit. Anyone who's spent much time with me knows that my go-to, could-eat-anytime food is an egg sandwich. Egg sandwiches were a staple in my house growing up, suitable for consumption at any time of day and a perfectly acceptable replacement for any meal. I think my parents still live mostly on egg sandwiches. But it wasn't until moving to South Carolina that I really learned to appreciate the biscuit and what it had to bring to the egg sandwich table. They are most certainly not the healthiest option, but they are arguably the tastiest. So when I tracked down a two-serving biscuits recipe I immediately had two thoughts: (1) this is the best thing that's ever happened to me , and (2) oh no... I'm going to eat so many biscuits. In retrospect, I stand by both of these statements. But the vast majority of the biscuits I made have not gone to egg sandwiches- they've gone to tomato breakfast cobbler. It was one of those half-baked ideas a dreamed up some morning that somehow resulted in what is now our most favorite breakfast food. Stand aside egg sandwiches! (Just kidding- I had one of those for lunch an hour ago). But truly, Chris and I have had this cobbler at least once a week for the past two months. It may be getting a little out of hand even. So- you're welcome. And also, I'm sorry.
A rich, sweet, mild Thai curry with peppers, pineapples, and onions7 This is the post that should have come before the bread- the one that explains my long absence and the elusive nature of all the recipes I've been promising!
You may be asking yourself, is this really happening right now? Can it really be true? And the answer is yes. The panang curry recipe that I excitedly posted about on facebook nearly two months ago, is finally here. I don't blame you if you've forgotten all about it... two months is a long time to wait. I feel that an apology and explanation is due on my part. After all, my last recipe post was a whole month ago, and I should be grateful that you haven't forgotten all about me. So, first things first. What's up? Where have I been? Well, for starters, in an effort to get my work life back in order, I've been a little less attentive to keeping up with the blog. It's a really enjoyable outlet for me- creating and testing new recipes, getting the pictures together, writing whatever thoughts that have been at the front of my mind. However, it also makes for a very convenient distraction, which isn't an issue except that for much of this summer, I've been really embracing distractions. Hence the neglect. I cut myself off. The need to get it in gear was compounded by the start of fall quarter in early October. My summer of loose scheduling and working from home every day has sadly come to an end. I don't have classes nor am I teaching, but I have meetings out my ears. Luckily, I can still do most of my work from home, but my flexibility has been reigned in a bit. Although I hate to admit it, it's probably for the better right now. I have finally gained some focus and a plan, I have both immediate and long-term objectives, and even though I'm approaching these tasks a little begrudgingly, it's giving me that little boost of momentum I need. A simple no-kneed bread recipe with long overnight rise There was supposed to be a post before this that explains my recent absence from LWM but weebly and I are having some... issues with that one... and it's late, and I promised you bread so here it is.
Taking on a homemade pantry is an art of dedication, vigilance, and time management. When I first started working at the bakery, and we had very little money, I was probably the most committed to it that I've ever been. A couple of dollars any given week could mean the difference between overdrawing my account or not, so it was driven as much by necessity as it was my own interest and determination. But it was also a welcomed outlet and incredibly rewarding. When you take the time to make something right, food from scratch will always beat out something processed- in flavor, in texture, and in satisfaction. Well, as you could imagine, I wasn't making any bread at home when I was working for the bakery. I made bread all day in a kitchen with a big strong mixer, ample fine ingredients, and a massive steam injection oven. Today I'll take home and Asiago cheese loaf, on Monday a cranberry walnut... I was spoiled to death as far as bread was concerned. And when I stopped working for the bakery, I just about stopped eating bread. Nothing could compare! And bread from the grocery store? Stuff in bags? No. No no no. No thank you. That's not bread. If the crust is only noticeable by a slight change in color and the interior has no signs of air bubbles, I am not interested. And I was too lazy/busy/distraught? to be regularly baking my own loaves, so bread just started fading out of my life. Bailey and Pete's camp-out wedding in the the rural backwoods of Athens Ohio I realize it's been a while since I've checked in here at the blog, but I promise you I have very good reasons. Once in a life time reasons. Two weeks ago, I officiated the marriage of two of my favorite people in the world- Bailey and Pete. I've known Bailey and Pete for about seven years. We met at about the same time I met all of the best people I know, back in college at USC. People always used to ask me why I went all the way to South Carolina for college, and for a long time I didn't have a good answer. But in retrospect, I know exactly the reason. I had to go to USC because I had to meet these people. I know most everyone thinks highly of their friends, but I really cannot express how grateful I feel to even just know this amazing group of individuals; to call the my dearest friends is an honor. Each one of them inspires me to be better human being. Each one of them pursues their passions in life with awareness, with thought and care, with determination and persistence. They think deeply about the world, they celebrate nature, and they embrace the unknown. I can say with absolute certainty that I would not be the person I am today without having these remarkable individuals in my life. We've shared countless adventures together, all of us eager to explore this great big world. So while it wasn't what we expected, it really is no surprise that after college ended, we scattered ourselves across the country, each choosing a new adventure to pursue. We all had reasons for our choices, we all had things to sort out on our own, and I think we all agree that no mistakes were made in splintering off the way we did.
A warm, comforting fall pie stuffed with nutty beech mushrooms, winter squash, and potatoes Today I'm sitting by the kitchen window, sipping some strong chai tea, and listening to the gentle strum of Sam Beam's guitar. The sunlight is bouncing off vibrant flower petals of zinnias, cosmos, yarrow, and nicotinias scattered throughout the yard, as bees make their way from one to the next, generating a quite hum of activity. Chaco is laying lazily in the shade, tossing his head up periodically to flash me a smile in the hopes I might give him more treats. Binx is hunting various bugs in the garden and Sila is nestled in furry pile on a big leather chair in the living room while Clarence chews on some carrot greens. Each of my mornings this week have passed this way- blissfully. When I was still taking classes, my mornings were obligatorily structured, but since the summer started they have been melting into an amorphous, ambiguous thing. I've been sleeping later, mulling around the house (or even worse squandering the first hours of my day poking around on the internet), spinning my wheels... Maybe that was right for summer, or at least this summer, which came at the end of such a chaotic and rigorously scheduled spring. But now fall has begun, and my work-from-home life shows no signs of being interrupted. And my increasing awareness that this lazy approach to mornings, ultimately, is not a kindness to myself has finally manifested itself into a shift in behavior. So, with the start of a new season comes the start of a new routine. Yoga, coffee, walk, tend to the plants, prepare a nice breakfast, and muse by the window with some hot tea before delving into work for the day.
Hearty, creamy stuffed zucchini with hints of lemon and thyme I've been living a significant distance from home for a long while. 8 years now. Suffice to say I've grown used to the physical distance between myself and my family (and many dear friends) and accustomed to being more or less "on my own". While, admittedly, my moves have been slightly random and perhaps impulsive, I know that the choices I've made have ultimately brought such amazing people, experiences, and developments into my life that I could never begin to regret them. I have also enjoyed immersing myself in different cultures, climates, and landscapes, but some days it just seems unbearably difficult to be far away. And lately those days have been coming around more frequently . Last year my oldest sister and her husband got pregnant. I missed the majority of pregnancy but flew home the moment she went into labor in February. I was fortunate enough to visit twice this spring and in early summer to throw my sister Rachel (a different sister!) her bachelorette party and bridal shower and watch her walk down the aisle. I spent over three weeks with my family in a six month period, which is probably as much or more than I've been able to do in the past couple of years. It was so wonderful. Getting to be with my sisters (there's even one more!), my parents, my perfect, amazing, wonderful nephew... it was really special. And it sparked a strength of longing for home that I haven't had in a long time. It's always hard to leave after a visit and missing my family on any given occasion is common, but this was different. When I flew back to California after Rachel's wedding, I felt like a piece of me was being taken away. And I still feel that way.
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AuthorHi there! I'm Cara- plant ecologist, gardening addict, and whole foods enthusiast. My whole life revolves around plants, including my kitchen. Join me here at LWM each week as I post local, seasonal, plant-based recipes and write about my never ending quest to find balance and tranquility in this crazy little world. Archives
June 2015
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