Seedling update and post-op Peanut

August 15, 2008 at 2:21 pm | In Aurora peppers, Peanut, Planting, Purple tomatillos | 1 Comment

My Aurora pepper and purple tomatillo seedlings are growing quite nicely. The seeds sprouted within just a couple of days, and the second set of true leaves are sprouting:

Peanut had surgery a few weeks ago to remove a mass on her bladder. Everything went well and she’s on the mend, but it’s taking awhile. She has to wear a collar and she looks a little something like this (I couldn’t resist):

Aurora pepper rub

August 15, 2008 at 2:14 pm | In Aurora peppers, Recipes | Leave a Comment

I made a dry rub out of my remaining Aurora peppers. Here’s what they looked like pre-recipe:

And post-recipe:

Overall, the rub isn’t what I expected. It tastes good, but it’s more salty and garlicky than Aurora peppery. I was hoping for something with a little more kick. If I make this again, I’ll cut back on the salt and garlic and add a couple more peppers. This makes a ton of rub–about 2 cups.

1/4 cup oregano

Olive oil

5 Aurora peppers

5 garlic cloves

1 1/4 cups salt

Dry roast the oregano in skillet for 1 to 2 minutes until just browned. Stir or shake pan often to prevent burning. Transfer oregano to bowl and let cool completely. Grind fine in food processor or spice/coffee grinder.

Cut peppers in half and remove seeds. Heat oil in skillet. Add peppers and turn until both sides are slightly browned and peppers are puffy. This only takes about 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels; dab off excess oil and let cool until dry and crispy. Grind peppers in food processor or spice/coffee grinder until fine.

Grind garlic in food processor; add oregano, peppers, and salt. Grind until salt-like consistency. If mixture seems wet, spread in thin layer in baking pan and bake in 150 degree (or cooler, if possible) oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Store in airtight container. Regrind desired amount just before use if rub becomes clumpy.

Tasty summer drink

August 11, 2008 at 11:50 am | In Herbs, Recipes | Leave a Comment

I concocted this potion after realizing I’d better do something with my flourishing mint:

Green tea bags (use however many to get desired strength)

10-15 mint leaves

Pinch of sugar or Splenda

Steep tea outside until desired strength. In drinking glass, muddle mint with sugar and just a small amount of tea until mint is crushed and releasing all that minty goodness. Fill glass with tea and ice; garnish with more mint as desired.

It’s quite tasty, I promise!

There’s good news, and then there’s bad news

August 4, 2008 at 7:57 am | In Aurora peppers, Garden problems, Pole beans | 1 Comment

I harvested my first Aurora on Saturday, and it was fabulous. I made salsa, and while it would have been far better with my own garden tomatoes, it was quite yummy with the Aurora. I was slightly scared just before I tried the pepper. I had never had an Aurora before; I was worried I wouldn’t care for it. I was wrong, though! It’s fairly hot, at least by my standards, but the flavor comes through so well. I can’t wait to harvest more. Here’s my first one:

And here’s what the plant looks like today:

While I don’t have any new beans to report, there are a good number of pretty purple flowers and the plants themselves are going crazy:

Now, for the bad news:

This is the underside of a bell pepper leaf. I’m pretty sure it’s mildew, and I’m not surprised. It’s very humid and we have noticed it seems a little more humid on our screened-in balcony than just outside in the open. I’m not going to do much now; I’m replanting my garden in three weeks or so, anyway. I do have a few blossoms on this plant, so I’ll see how those turn out. I noticed a bit of mildew on my Aurora plant, which is right next to this bell pepper. I’ll remove those leaves and perhaps move the Aurora. I think I need to back off of the watering just a touch with these two pepper plants; they’re currently located on the side of the balcony that doesn’t get quite as much sun as the tomatoes and I’ve noticed the water doesn’t drain as well.

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