Roasted Salsa with Papalo

This year I decided to finally grow papalo, Porophyllum ruderale, also known as  quillquiña.  This herb has a flavor somewhat similar to cilantro, but unlike that plant, it has thrived throughout a summer of triple digit days.  Not having cooked with it before, it gave me an excuse to make a quick roasted salsa. Ingredients 1-2 tomatoes Several hot peppers, I used a mix of fresh and dried peppers 1-2 cloves garlic 1 small onion a handful of papalo leaves, chopped...

T-Post Tomato Trellis

I finally built a tomato trellis that I’m happy with.  I knew this was a good approach years ago, but it was one of those projects I never took the time to complete. I usually grow about 30 tomato plants in three rows in one of my 20 feet long by five feet wide beds.  Two years ago, when my crop was decimated by late blight, I learned that blight can be slowed by good air circulation.  Crowded and damp conditions greatly increase the chance of blight, and I...

Lao Cucumber Salad

Last weekend I went to a wedding on the Lao side of our family.  I took advantage of the trip to learn how to make spicy Lao style cucumber salad from my cousin Kristi’s husband, Sie. Ingredients 3 medium cucumbers 5-6 Asian hot peppers 1 garlic clove 1 ½ tsp sugar ½ tsp salt 3 small tomatoes 2-3 TBS fish sauce 1-2 lime wedges This salad can also be made with green papaya.  If using papaya, peel it first.  The cucumbers only need to be peeled if the skin is really...

Potato Crusted Broccoli Rabe Quiche

Try this satisfying and tasty quiche.  The potato crust takes less time than making a regular pie crust.  You don’t have to feel guilty about using using a little sour cream in the filling because you’re not using a quarter of a pound of butter in the crust. Crust: 2-3 cups shredded potatoes (2-3 medium size potatoes, peeled or not) ¼ cup finely chopped onion 2 T. Olive Oil 1 clove garlic, pressed ¼ tsp salt Filling: 1 cup shredded Swiss or other...

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