The Cookery - life’s ingredients

A request just came in for this recipe.  Here’s the vinaigrette dressing that lightly enhances the greens.

Vinaigrette Dressing

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 ½  teaspoons balsamic vinegar

½ tablespoon chopped fresh basil

¼ teaspoon sugar

Whisk ingredients together and toss with your favorite greens.  Serve immediately.

If you love sweet summer Michigan corn, look the other way.  But if you don’t mind petite spring ears, let the kids help with corn shucking.  Little hands love to help around this cookery.   

Here’s a sweet treat for moms and those who may be thinking of your mothers during this month of May.  You’re all invited to drop by to sample these nuggets of love, laughter and wise counsel.  Check out Mothering Heights to share in the buffet of sweets that Christine Fugate has inspired with the “The 2nd Annual Mothering Heights Mother’s Day Anthology,” a hilarious and poignant online collection of essays on motherhood.     http://www.motheringheights.net/online-anthology-journal/

It’s merely May 1, but I’m planning my Cinco de Mayo menu today, without burning too much energy.  Head off to Recipe Zaar to try their Killer Fish Tacos and homemade tortillas.  Spice up your menu: http://www.recipezaar.com/sitenews/post.php?pid=920

Here’s a day to count down to on your calendar:  Saturday, May 10 . . . World Fair Trade Day.  If you live anywhere near New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley, head on over to Women’s Work from 2-6:00 p.m. at 66 Main Street in Cold Spring.  Cecilia and her Fair Trade fellows will be hosting a coffee break, helping to raise a cup to raise awareness for Fair Trade.  Check out the High Peaks Java and more.  http://www.fairtraderesource.org/ 

My guest bloggers are taking it from here on the supplies list to build your own worm condos:

 You will need:

one paper bag, one plastic liter bottle, one plastic plate, , 10 composting worms, shredded paper, diced fruits and vegetables ready to compost, scissors, tape, water, glue gun

First, with your scissors, cut off the top quarter of the bottle and remove any bottle wrappings.  Then, glue the bottle to the plate.  Next, add some shredded paper to the bottle.  Then, add a splash of water.  Find 10 composting worms.  These worms love to compost.  Next, add more shredded paper to cover the worms.  Then add another splash of water.  Next, add your vegetable or fruit scraps.  Remember, do not place any dairy, meats or fats in your worm condo.  PHHHHeeeeeewwweeeee. 

Cut your paper bag to the proper size, wrap around the bottle and tape into place.  Then use the top of the liter bottle to rest gently on the composting shreds.  Keep out of direct sunlight.  Happy Worm Condo Composting!   

We’ve been eating out and about the last few days.  Big thanks go out to our backyard dinner hosts.  This meal stretched way beyond burgers.  My top side?  C’s cabbage salad!

I also tested my new dillweed dip.  Not bad.  I’m going to run it through the nutrition counter and post it here soon.   

The kids made an earthy contribution in the cookery this week with their composting projects.

Check out these worm condos and give vermicomposting a try. 

The banana bread made its way out the door last night. My neighbor filled my wish list at Trader Joe’s again and I like to show my appreciation.  She tells me that her husband polishes off the candied banana bread with little trouble.  But back to TJ’s:  they had my favorite Roasted Plantain Chips in stock.  I serve them with my Santiago Shrimp Salsa.  Made with plantains, sunflower oil and salt, these Peruvian plantains crunch! 

I broke out the curry for dinner last night.  Chicken curry doesn’t last long around our table.  Today I’m transitioning into a new herb rhythm.  How does fresh dill over cucumber wedges sound?  The combination tastes light and fresh.  Perfect for a warm spring day.