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| Harvest, Unexpected Project Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants, A Book |
Spring is a beautiful time of the year, a time of chilly morning air and new beginnings. Here in Arizona the citrus fruit is mature and begging to come off the trees while at the same time the same branches are sporting new buds. Everywhere I look there are delicate shoots poking through my flowering pots. There are many new weeds too. These seasonal changes can bring a welcomed practicality to our kitchens and homes. From herb salads to edible-flower pressed cheeses I found a great resource.
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| Branch Arrangement |
"Harvest", a book written by
Stefani Bittner and
Alethea Harampolis is just the seasonal treasure to help guide you throughout the year. The book is divided into three gardening seasonings, Early being the first, which is late winter to spring; Mid, which is summer to early fall and late; which is late fall to early winter. My favorite chapter was the one on Branch Arrangement. Since fruit trees need to be pruned in the Early season, this practice makes good sense and the budding branches make a beautiful centerpiece.
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| Warmed Olives with Black Cumin Seed |
Another favorite noted was Black cumin seed. (see picture above). Here the seeds are dry pan roasted and set aside. Meanwhile olive oil, zested orange peel and a mix of olives are in a separate pan on low heat, just warming for 6 minutes. This warmed olive dish with black cumin seeds is a phenomenal way to enjoy and highlight these seeds. Makes a great appetizer for entertaining and the black cumin seeds are easy to grow and harvest as well.
"
Harvest", is a wonderful book for anyone that enjoys plants, gardening and cooking. Also many great idea for gifts, including petals, flowers, herbs and seeds.
"I received this book from
Blogging for Books for this review."
Those warmed olives were the best-
ReplyDeleteThey were good warm, loved the flavor. Thanks Homey
DeleteThat book sounds like a keeper. I love black cumin.
ReplyDeleteHi Angie, I do too, I am going to try and grow it in my garden from seed as soon as we get to Oregon this year.
DeleteNow I have a great way to use up all my black cumin seeds! Love your branch arrangement
ReplyDeleteThanks Tandy, never thought to go out in the back yard and cut myself so branches, I was buying them a Trader Joes, silly me.
DeleteMmm. Never thought to enhance cumin seeds with citrus! Love to see and enjoy flower pressed cheese, too. Your green thumb is showing, Cheri! I truly admire your skill...I'm lucky the few plants we have are still alive =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, I have a friend that makes a cashew pate and presses flowers on top, delicious and gorgeous!
DeleteThat is something for me, I'm planning to start my own garden this year☺
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalia, I will be starting mine up in about a month or so. Can't wait to see what you choose to grow. Have a great week.
DeleteDo you grow black cumin in Phoenix? That would be a really fun planned to have in the garden… Either way, the olives look amazing, and the book seems like a really great resource. Thanks, Cheri!
ReplyDeleteNo I did not David but I have my seeds ready to plant in Oregon we are leaving at the end of next month. Every year I try and grow a few new herbs. Thanks!!
DeleteI am excited to see how it turns out! I can't believe you are leaving already... I guess we will have to wait till next year to meet! Although maybe work will bring me to Phoenix sooner!
DeleteMy husband and I were talking about that David, we would love to get together with you guys and we really are so close. It seems like we run around like crazy when we are here.
DeleteI've always wanted to try roasted or "warmed" olives. I bet they are extraordinary. You review the best cookbooks and I love the inspiration. I'm also extremely jealous of all your ripe citrus. I cannot imagine having it so readily available and amazingly fresh! Have a terrific weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia, I do feel very fortunate for all the citrus around as it's very hard to get ahold of fresh when in Oregon.
DeleteSounds like a useful book, and I like the ways you've utilized... both branch arrangement and the olives!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy, it is really a wonderful book with great gift ideas too.
DeleteI envy the early growing season you have there, Cheri! The olives look incredibly delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, warming the olives brings out a really nice flavor.
DeleteThank you for recommending the Harvest Book, will definitely check it out since we are planning to grow our own garden this year. I love the inspiration! Have a great week Cheri!
ReplyDeleteHow fun, I have been gardening the last few years and it seems there is so much more still to learn. Take care!
DeleteWow, what a neat post!!! You always make me feel like I have a new challenge in the kitchen! haha! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
ReplyDeleteLol! Thanks Gingi!
DeleteThis book sounds awesome Cheri...I love cooking with vegetables that I harvest...
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a nice week :)
Thanks Juliana, yes I'm having a great week. Gardens are the best don't you think?
DeleteThis book sounds interesting, Cheri. Such a beautiful post. And those warmed olives look so delish.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anu, it's funny how a little heat really ups the flavors on the olives.
DeleteThe rain (deluge!) has paused and there has been enough sunshine to feel spring. These warm days are the best time to get back in the garden. Harvest might be just the book I need to inspire me!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, what I found really cool about this book is that there are tips for the plants or parts of the plants that we normally don't do anything with.
DeleteGreat book Cheri. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing your garden.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look for this book!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book Cheri!
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