Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Food, glorious food

There is nothing like the gardening season to get your taste buds going! I plant up pots with herbs and lettuce each year.


We planted this oak leaf lettuce up just over a month ago. It is already yielding a number of salads for us. Recently, I was reading on TheHomelyYear about doing up two containers of lettuce and decided to do more this year.


So Saturday, we headed out to find our herbs including sage, rosemary and parsley. This pot is not standing by the front door where I can easily pick the herbs I want to use for dinner. Not only is it practical but we think the herbs are pretty to see also.


In addition, I have planted a pot with red oak leaf lettuce and spring onions.


I have a real weakness for very decorative terracotta. They are expensive so I only have two. One I have shown you with the herbs planted in it and this one. Isn't the grape vine on it so pretty?


I am also trying my hand at growing 'Tiny Tom' tomatoes this year in a pot. There are many blossoms already on the plants so I have my fingers crossed for some yummy, ripe little tomatoes for salads.


Jos stopped in at an asparagus farm near his office yesterday before coming home. Today I peeled the asparagus and we had a very Dutch style meal for dinner. Asparagus in Holland is referred to as 'white gold' and extremely delicious.


I make it in the traditional way. We eat it simply drizzled with a little melted butter and sprinkled with nutmeg and black pepper. That is accompanied with boiled potatoes, a couple of thin slices of ham and a hard boiled egg. Served with a glass of chilled white wine, it makes such a nice meal. I also made tiramisu for dessert.

I hope you are enjoying some of what nature has to offer for your meals now that the growing season has begun.

14 comments:

Heidi said...

Hi Heidi, it all looks so good!, especially your dinner menu!....Could you whip up the same dinner later this week?, my husband & I would love to stop by & share it with you! :)...Your terracotta pots are beautiful!....Heidi :)

Nancy said...

I know you will get a lot out of those little pots. They way you love using herbs. The pots are so pretty.
I have been very busy with Kristy and the kids here, today we went to see Narnia.
Love you, Mom

Mary said...

Heidi, I want to come to dinner too - that looks so delicious (just leave the ham off mine please!). I've never tried nutmeg on asparagus - interesting and I'll try as I love that spice.
Tiramisu - yummy!!

I'm getting ready to post on terra cotta and other types of pots - there are amazing ones available for a price now! Your two are very lovely - enjoy your salad greens and herbs - I'm planting my veg. garden today.

Elizabethd said...

Oh Heidi, you make me hungry!
My herbs are so important to me, they are p[art of most of our meals. Basil, chives, Tarragon.....I couldnt do without them, I just put some photos on my blog.

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi
I've never eaten white asparagus. How does it taste compared to the green? I love the green asparagus!
And the terra cotta pots are great. I love the look of lettuce and herbs in them.
Hope you are having a beautiful sunny day.
Hugs, Rhondi

Anonymous said...

Hallo Heidie,
Wat een leuk idee: 2 soorten groenten/kruiden in 1 pot ! Die vierkante terracotta potten zijn echt prachtig ! Ik wens je een goede oogst toe :)
Groetjes, Janneke.
PS. Ga misschien zaterdag naar de Snuisterij in Odoorn om naar oud linnengoed te zoeken.

Ragged Roses said...

Those herb pots looks so pretty. I love picking herbs from the garden. We too had asparagus last night, our meal was asparagus, broad beans with lemon and pasta and parsley, yummy! Yours looks delicious, I hope you enjoyed it
Kimx

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Heidi..my that lettuce is hardy isn't it? That meal looks great!! I have seen white asparagus here in the grocery store but I have never actually bought it...I will have to give it a try!!
Hugs,
Robin

Terri said...

Yum! I'll be over for supper soon!
Say what's the temp over where you are these days?
Terri

Reginas Cottage said...

Hello Heidi
Thank you very much for your nice
comment on my blog.
Your dinner looks very delicious,
I love asparagus.
I plant tomateos,salad,chive,radish and carrots in pots,that make I already since unite years.It makes fun and one has always fresh ingredients for a salad.You have very
beautiful terracotta pots,my pots are not so beautiful.
I wish you a wonderful evening
Hugs Regina

Amy Marie said...

Heidi, first of all thank you for Charlie's gifts. The quilt is amazing! Love all the potted plants! We planted a garden this year and Lily is having a ball helping with it!

Andylynne said...

I love your terra cotta pots. Mine are all the utilitarian plain kind. I bet your tomatoes do well. When I lived in an appartmetn I grew patio tomatoes in a large container and they did really well I also grew cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket they didn't do as well the basket was to small. You live and learn, I was only 19, so young,& so long ago :) Love your dinner it looks so pretty on those blue trimed plates. I'll have to remember that for a cold supper. I don't eat ham either but I bet it would still be good with just a bit more of every thing else.

Anonymous said...

Hello Heidi, we're so pleased you like the idea of salad leaves in trays. There's nothing better than being able to nip outside and cut a few leaves for a meal. Your meal sounds delicious!
Margaret and Noreen

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Heidi,
I love your pots of lettuce and herbs. The decorative pots are beautiful!

That dinner looks very summer like and refreshing..
Penny