I am Back Again… (and this time with Grilled Shishito Peppers!)

Tags

gluten free, grilled, peppers, produce, shishito, summer, vegetable

I know I said a few months ago I was back to blogging and then I disappeared again. Getting the hang of this new life is harder than I thought. There is a lot of growing and changing and shifting after a major life event. This is not something that one can anticipate, even someone who is a planner to the extreme (who!? Not me!). As much as I have struggled these past few months, I have also grown tremendously and learned I have more strength and resilience than I previously believed. I have more confidence and faith in myself. I am more reflective of my self, my thoughts, my actions. I have made some wonderful new friendships and strengthened older relationships. I am happier now than I have been in a long time.

I have loved hosting dinner at my humble little apartment home. My last little dinner included spicy pork burgers with spicy cheddar and grilled shishito peppers. These little Japanese peppers are full of flavor without overwhelming spiciness. Trader Joe’s sells these now when in season. You can also find them at your local Asian market. Give these little babies a try….

Grilled Shishito Peppers

• 8 oz fresh shishito peppers
• Olive oil
• Salt and fresh ground pepper

Prepare your grill to medium heat. In a bowl, toss the peppers in enough olive oil to evenly coat. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until the peppers change color evenly (I look for the army green color to just appear). Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 2 to 3.

Look What Grew in My Garden!

Tags

fresh, garden, home grown, Kentucky Proud, produce, summer, vegetables

This is my second year growing my own garden. I have had success and failure both years. I am not nearly as good at this as my grandparents. I don’t know very many tricks of the trade. But I am learning new things each year.

You can use a 1:1 parts Epsom salt and water mixture to spray your bell pepper plants that bloom and bloom without every bearing fruit. Apparently this malady is caused by a lack of magnesium. Who knew?!

Cucumbers vines trellis really well but you have to look for new cucumbers nearly every day, otherwise they turn into orange or yellow monstrosities that are disgusting! I knew this already but I always had my mom reminding me to go look at them.

Place tomatoes on your counter stem side down. This slows the rotting process.

What great garden or vegetable tips do you have?