Sprouting and singing

Officially spring is here but not in full swing. The days up here are still cold and the snow is keeping a strong hold on the landscape. I have notes from last year and at this time we were driving our car down the driveway and working outside doing miscellaneous projects. Not this weekend. We are happy relaxing with Fugee under a sunny and cloud free day. 

I checked on our seeds from last weekend and they are happily coming to life. Since I am growing them in a window sill I have to rotate the trays so that the seedlings grown somewhat straight up rather than tilted sideways. 

I have heard Red Winged Black Birds in the swampy field by our house and at night we are starting to hear the territory hoots of Barred Owls. I have also seen Turkey vultures and chipping sparrows. Soon we will hear more birds move in this area. Can't wait. 

I recommend this quarterly issue of Mother Earth News. It has an article on tips to increase the yields of produce in the garden. For example; 1) Growing perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, sorrel and mint. 2) Growing variety crops rather than quantity of one type of crop. 3) Growing vertical gardens like cucumbers, squash and beans to maximize space among others.

We had pancakes this morning. Here is the recipe from King Arthur.

Simple Perfect Pancakes  2 large eggs 1 1/4 cups milk 3 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups All purpose flour  3/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 tablespoons sugar OR 2 Tablespoons of Malt Barley  chocolate chips and/or shredded coconut Directions 1. Beat the eggs and milk until light and foamy, about 3 minutes at high speed of a stand or hand mixer. Stir in the butter or vegetable oil. 2. Whisk the dry ingredients together to evenly distribute the salt, baking powder and sweetener. 3. Gently and quickly mix into the egg and milk mixture. Let the batter rest for at least 15 minutes, while the griddle is heating; it"ll thicken slightly. 4. Heat a heavy frying pan over medium heat, or set an electric griddle to 350°F. Lightly grease frying pan or griddle. The pan or griddle is ready if a drop of water will skitter across the surface, evaporating immediately. 5. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the lightly greased griddle. Bake on one side until bubbles begin to form and break, then turn the pancakes and cook the other side till brown. Turn over only once. Serve immediately.

Bagels for the week

This recipe will make 12 bagels

- 1.5cups warm/hot water

- 2 1/4 tsp yeast (1 packet)

- 4cups flour (white or bread flour)

- 2 Tbsp malt syrup (I've been using 1Tbsp brown sugar & 1 Tbsp honey)

- 1 tsp salt (I've been using the coarse crystals)

- 4 tsp sugar

- egg white mixed with a bit of cold water for eggwashing before baking

Begin here...

1. Dissolve yeast in water, set aside

2. Mix flour, salt, sugar and malt syrup (or substitute)

3. Mix water/yeast into flour. Mix until dough is crumbly. 

4. Dump onto table and knead into ball.. continue kneading about 8mins until dough is smooth.

5. Set back in bowl and covered with damp towel or oiled plastic wrap. Sit for about 30-40mins. (dough won't double or rise much)

6. Dump onto table and punch down. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Cover pieces with same damp towel while you work the doughballs.

7. Roll each ball into a 9" rope, shape into a circle and wet each end. Overlap about 1" and pinch. 

8. Set for about 10mins while you get water boiling.

9. Boil for about 30sec per side.

10. Wash both sides with eggwhite mixture, coat in toppings and set on parchment paper on cookie sheet. 

11. Bake at 425F for 15mins, turn, bake another 8mins. ( this is if your oven bakes unevenly)

Gear up for seedlings

I'm headed out the door to buy some seeds and start them indoors at home and at school. 

This week in school, I had my students help me plant the bulbs that my dad gave me.  There were all flowers.  The students were very eager, dedicated and interested in helping me. Therefore,  I have decided to bring some of the seeds for our garden to school and teach a little bit about gardening during homeroom. 

I looked at the map of the garden from last year and I have thought about the many projects to do this year. Some of the projects include: 1) Start new beds. 2) Plant more flowers throughout the garden. 3) Try new varieties of veggies. Among other ones.  

Also, I picked up a book titled "Week by week, Vegetable Gardener's Handbook" by Ron Kujawski and Jennifer Kujawski. It has been very helpful in organizing the steps for gardening in the spring, summer and fall. The interesting thing is that it would work for most Northern zones in the U.S since it is based on the last day of frost in the spring and the first day of frost in the fall. 

When talking to farmers in the past, they have all agreed that the safest date for planting outside is Memorial Day Weekend. So, this weekend is the 10th week before Memorial Day.  Therefore, I will start the following seeds:

1. Onions and Leeks 

2. Cabbage

3. Broccoli 

4. Kale

5. Cauliflower

6. Celeriac 

7. Some herbs 

Note: I did not grow any plants of the Brassica family last year besides kale, because I didn't know the condition of the soil in our garden.  However, the kale did so well, that I cannot wait to try the rest of the family. 

I have started seeds in the past in grid trays, recycled cardboard containers or small pots.  I haven't had any problem with diseases in my seedlings.  I have covered the containers after seeding them and only placing them by a sunny window when the seeds have germinated. I watered them as needed. Be careful not to over-water your seedlings. 

This year, I will use vermiculite and mix it with compost. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that helps with aeration and drainage in the soil and holds water better and releases it when needed. 

That Goat Cheese better taste sweet like apple

Today was a beautiful day in Vermont, at least in the Connecticut valley. Yesterday was another story. We had a mix of sleet and snow that covered power-lines, blew transformers in town and made cleaning the windows of the cars quite a mission. 

It was the kind of ice storm that transformed the appearance of trees. The branches of the hemlocks with their flat needles made it easier for the ice to adhere and accumulate, causing the whole branch to bent downward. These trees looked like a spear, with the tallest part standing straight up while the rest of the branches were tucked in. (Imagine having a fake christmas tree that needs to be put away in a long skinny box)

On the other hand, the young broadleaf trees got completely covered by ice from every angle which caused the whole tree to bend.  A lot of trees that were around our house had their tops touching the snow and some even took down power lines. 

Today on my way back home,  I saw all the ice covered trees glistening against a light blue sky. Me being the photography desperada did not have my camera. So, I rushed home and went out with Fugee looking for the beauty after the storm in Ladeau Road. 

Then why the title?
I should mention that we have very intelligent goats. And we love them. However, between yesterday and today they have been munching on the branches of one of our apples trees and our home. Yes, they have been eating the wood boards that surround our home. 
I don't know if spraying the boards with chilli powder and garlic will deter them from eating our home! 
Noticed the insulation blue-boards, plastic wrap, orange strapping around this poor apple tree. 

As for the goats, they don't stay in their pen. The snow is too high and they figured that they can jump the fence and get out. I was upset that they are eating the apple tree. After going for a run I came back and dug snow for an hour. I cleaned all the snow around one side of the fence, so that the inside is lower and hopefully not appealing to jump. Regardless, they figured out how to get out again. As for the apple tree, I think it will make it in the spring, as long as we keep it protected and free of high snow piles at the base. That way the goats can't eat it !

Donut Party

The art of making donuts.

Vegan Miniature Jelly Doughnuts

1 pkg. active dry yeast (0.25 oz), I used 1 Tbs of bulk yeast 

1/4 cup plus 1 tsp sugar, divided

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3 Tbs Earthbalance, melted

2 cups canola oil or veggie oil for frying 

1/2 cup superfine sugar

1/2 cup plus 1 tsp seedless raspberry jam 

Directions 

1. Mix yeast and 1 tsp sugar with 1 cup warm water in measuring cup. Let stand for 5 minutes or until mixture smells yeasty

2. Whisk together remaining sugar, salt, b.powder and nutmeg in large bowl. Grease separate large bowl with oil

3. Stir in yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix with a wooden spoon and up to 1/4 warm water to make smooth dough. Stir in melted Earthbalance

4. Knead on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes or until smooth, elastic dough forms. Add flour while kneading, if necessary.

5. Transfer to oiled bowl, cover with towel and let rise in warm place for 1 and 1/2 hours 

6. Remove dough from bowl, press down with fingers and cut 25 circles with a 2 round cutter. Transfer to baking sheet and let rise for 15 minutes more

7. Heat frying oil and fry dough nuts, for 3 to 5 minutes or until deep golden brown

8. Drain on paper towel and roll on superfine sugar

9. Poke hole on the side of dough nut, I used an apple corer and it is wonderful. 

10. Filled hole with jelly 

11. Enjoy