How does my garden grow?

I was just out planting a few things in my garden. Yes, it's nine at night. And the sun had dipped below the horizon by the time I watered the new acquisitions. But not only is it the only time I can garden without the eager assistance of a nearly three-year-old, but I enjoy evening gardening. It's cooler, and quiet, and my garden has a lovely view to the west.

I thought it would be appropriate to write about my garden on this blog--the food blog--since this is a veggie garden and most of what grows out there will end up being consumed by my family and (possibly) written up on here.

I have in the ground: romaine lettuce, mesclun lettuce mix, raddichio, broccoli, sugar peas (which have been nibbled by the rabbits, I'm sorry to say), beets, onions, swiss chard, and two bell peppers (red and orange). Within the week I will plant the seeds for cucumber and watermelon, and get a few tomato plants in as well. Next to the house is a little plot that I've dubbed my herb garden. I have basil, oregano, thyme, dill, sage, and rosemary. I hope to plant some cilantro and flat-leaf parsley this week. I've also planted marigolds and nasturtium in both gardens.

I'll occasionally post garden updates and, of course, indicate when a recipe includes garden produce.

Are you gardening? What are you growing this year?

Dutch Oven Pancake--now with photos!

I am digesting this as we speak. And it is good.

I based this recipe off a couple different ones I found online. I've seen them variously referred to as German Pancakes, Dutch Baked Pancakes, and Oven Pancakes. I like my moniker, personally.

The recipe is super easy, which is why I've already baked, photographed, eaten and blogged about them before 8:30 a.m. Although the fact that Sam woke up at 5:30 a.m. might have something to do with it too.

Here's what you need:

4 eggs

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

2/3 cup milk

2/3 cup flour

2 T. butter, softened

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat eggs in a bowl until blended. Add all the other ingredients and mix until smooth. (I used a whisk, but you could use a mixer as well. 7 a.m. is just a little too early for an electric mixer in my house). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Pour half of the batter into each.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 8-10 minutes. Slide warm pancakes onto a plate and serve with your choice: syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, etc.

Results:

Jana: These are really delicious, more crepe-like than pancake.

Jeff: Nom nom.

Charlotte: Not a huge fan, but then she'd already had a yogurt this morning.

The verdict: Make it again!

Two months!

For the last two months, we've been subsisting on yogurt, Cinnamon Life cereal, and various canned goods we've scrounged from the pantry. In other words, I have been so busy with school work that I barely had time to grocery shop, let alone cook.

Yesterday, I handed in my final seminar paper of the academic year. Then I stripped naked and ran shrieking through Wescoe Hall. Just kidding. But I wanted to.

Look for the return of TigEats this week. I'm gonna cook my fool head off this summer, and I can't wait!