6. Yummy Grilled Artichokes

Last week I decided to to try grilling artichokes for the first time.  This was an ambitious undertaking since I had never cooked an artichoke. Surprisingly it turned out well. My husband and I enjoyed the light Italian/smoke flavor of my recipe.

Most of the recipes I found had you cook the artichoke first then grill to add flavor.   How to make a Killer Grilled Artichoke was the U Tube video I used to educate myself on grilling an artichoke.  I also used his marinade as a base but changed ingredient amount slightly.

Ingredients I used:

• 1 artichoke
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white wine
• 1 medium to large lemon
• 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Procedure I followed:

Trimmed the points and end off the artichoke.  I tried to cut it it half but it was to hard. Decided to wait until after it was cooked.  Place the artichoke in stock pot with water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of white wine, 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning,  juice of 1/2 a lemon, and drop in the lemon half.  Boiled it for about 45 minutes which was too long.  I think next time 30 to 35 minutes will be enough. The artichoke petals fell off when cut it in half. Oops! Lastly I scooped out the choke. 

Basted the artichoke and loose petals with a marinade of 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Grilled on medium high setting for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Added the extra marinade to 1/2 cup mayonnaise for dipping. 

It turned out so well that I can't wait to try this again!

5. Check out my TOMATO and LIME harvest last weekend

9 to 21, my ratio of tomatoes to limes.

Loving every minute of this idea weather to experiment with new plants and more gardening than I have ever done.  The hot Texas weather made the work/ reward factor to low for me. Most of my plants are still looking, growing, and producing well.  A herb garden update, along with recipes, with be coming soon.

Our three citrus trees require very little care...prune, feed, water.  They produce like champs.  FABulous to use limes off my tree in fish tacos, guac. and take my glass of water up a notch!  One of my friends used them to make make a refreshing limeade.  The oranges and tangerines make a tasty treat.  I will be finding a few recipes for those as well.

Now on to those tomatoes. What can say about a home grown tomato except YUM! Finding on to match in a store is impossible.  I eat them like an apple and put them in so many recipes. I had a slight scare with what looked like bacteria spots on my tomato plant leaves.  I watered and feed well.  It seems to be recovering since it is LOADED with more fruit. (see above).  See you next time!

4. My blessed 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! 

As I woke up on July 4^th I thought about the celebrations I would be missing this year.  My day would be filled with cooking, cleaning, and going over bill pay.  It made me fill sad for a moment until I remembered that I should focus on the blessings of the moment  not on what I was missing.  Let me explain…

I spent my July 4^th holiday in Texas.  It was not the usually firework, BBQ, boating celebration I would have enjoyed  in there.  I was cooking, cleaning, and paying bills at my parents.  My mom is recovering from  extensive back surgery .  It is difficult time for them.  My  parents were grateful to have the help. 

I thought what is good right now.  The list was long.  It just takes a minute to realize your life is filled with blessings.   A few that came to my mind were the freedom I have in the USA, the ability to financially make the trip, the memories my parents like to share, and helping those in need.  So although my 4^th was a quiet one without any celebration tales it was  filled with joy!