August 2012

28 Aug
2012
tomato basil mozzarella salad is delicious and easy to make

Tomato and basil and mozzarella salad

There are many fine and delicious things to eat in the summertime, but none of them compare to the tangy and creamy wonderfulness of a tomato and basil and mozzarella salad made with homegrown tomatoes, fresh basil and quality mozzarella. I could eat this every day. Sometimes, in July and ...

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22 Aug
2012
garlic chive in bloom

Garden stroll #14: August showers bring…

Here in northern Virginia, we’re accustomed to hot hot hot and dry-yet-humid summers interspersed with dramatic bursts of intense rain and lightning. That’s standard for this region. Complaining about the lack of rain is a regular summertime conversation-starter for farmers and gardeners in these parts. But, seasonal dryness and actual ...

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14 Aug
2012
corn feature image

How to save summer corn for winter use

I love summer corn in the summer. Grilled in its husk, sweet corn is a divine lunch or an unbeatable side with a dinner of, well, anything. But, I also love summer corn in the winter. I eat sweet summer corn in winter soups and stews and chilies. I sauté ...

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5 Aug
2012
well grilled corn is delicious

Perfect grilled corn

It’s early August, and everything tastes of summer. The tomatoes. The watermelon. The corn. Oh, yum, the corn. Let’s talk about the corn. Perfectly grilled, nearly-too-hot-to-touch, summertime sweet corn, loaded with butter and salt and pepper and tasting of perfection. Can you tell? I love summer sweet corn. This recipe ...

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3 Aug
2012
'Siam Queen' basil

Good morning, ‘Siam Queen’ basil

The ‘Siam Queen’ basil is just starting to send up its flower heads. Such a pretty sight. I love this basil, both for its looks and its taste (hello, Thai chicken). What are your favorite basils for dressing up the garden and spicing up your dinners? ...

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1 Aug
2012
a handful of ripe and nearly-ripe 'Blush' tomatoes

Garden stroll #13: Moving beyond the doldrums

Last week, I admitted to a bad case of the midsummer doldrums. It’s a common enough condition for gardeners, and comes (for me) just about as regularly as the spring and fall equinoxes. After visiting with the doldrums for a few days, I’m moving on. The purple-podded ‘Royal Burgundy’ bush ...

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