It’s time to harvest the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes and dry them and store in a dry place for planting seedling next spring. Also It’s time to can or pickle all the cucumbers and beans in the garden and prepare the stocked pantry for the winter months. This late summer task makes me...
In the garden….it’s time to till the beds and add fresh mulch prior to planting the fall flowers. What looks nice for quite some time and pairs well with our Houston climate are mums. I even have some that made it through the hot summer and are fix’in to bloom yet again! At the...
In the garden it is time to plant cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, lavender and rosemary. Start your leeks and garlic so they will be ready early spring. If you want some blooms going for the holidays you’ll need to choose Crocus, alliums, ranunculus bulbs. Put your tulip bulbs in the refrigerator and on January...
One of the hardest decisions we face when we go to a sushi restaurant is whether to also order the tempura. It is so tasty and for years I was a little hesitant to try to make it at home. I discovered that it’s so easy to do and I make it regularly as...
The Artist’s Palate by Alisa Murray Sugarland has a few hidden treasures and Fernando’s located at 14135 Southwest Fwy is one of them. Fernando, originally from Ecuador began as a teen in the food world and worked his way up from every position to now owner and chef. I visited with him in his...
Each summer as a child I would spend many weeks with my Granny and my Aunt Lona. Perhaps aside from her Carmel candy her lemon cake stands out and every time I make it I am taken back to those times together in the North Carolina mountains. With blueberries being so plump and juicy...
In the garden keep weeds under control and get outside and tend to those in the morning before it gets too hot and steamy to manage for very long. Harvesting of tomatoes and cucumbers will be at times overwhelming, especially if you planted a multitude of seeds and plants. These will need a...
Ladies and gentlemen it’s June again and just in time for our wedding issue at the Focus. The styles we have in wooing one another could not be more diverse. Some are attracted to shiny castles and presents while others are content as can be with a simple hand held. What turns us “on”...
In the garden you’ll want to plant okra, cucumbers, garlic, chives, basil and sunflowers from seeds. Keep an eye out for weeds and pull often so that does not get away from you. Keep nurturing those tomatoes and strawberries and fertilize as needed. In the herb garden you’ll want to clip mint back and...
Music has always been a large part of my life. Growing up in North Carolina we never left for a vacation without packing my Daddy’s guitar, a mandolin and a harmonica. We would head to the mountains and sit on the porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway and set about to makin’ music, mostly...
You’ll need: 2 cups of shredded leftover roast 2 cups of Manseca1/3 cup of water1/2 cup of Manteca 1/2 cup of fresh cut and chopped cilantro1 container of cream corn ( I like HEB Central Market in the refrigerated section but a shelf stable can would also work fine) 1 red onion finely chopped1 poblano pepper finely chopped2...
In the garden plant seeds that attract butterflies and bees, transplant the seedlings you started back in late February to the outdoor garden. Begin propagating your basil by trimming it regularly placing it in water and once roots form take that back to the garden. With your closet you can open up your own...
Teaching Teens “Intentions” Each of us as parents are faced with many challenges. For some it is a child born to us that has from the very moment of his or her existence a determination to explore and refusal to listen. Others still have the task of facing learning and other challenges. I have...
2 cups of chopped asparagus RESERVE you’re tips cause you’ll need them later)6 eggs1 cup of bone chicken broth1/2 cup of milk1/2 cup of cream1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice2 tablespoons of lemon zest1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese2 cups of chopped and cooked lobster Preheat that oven to 325Place in the blender the asparagus,...
1. Go greener and feel better about yourself by taking a tiny step and turning off your lights this summer! Conserve energy and water as both are such an important part of our sustainability and are often carelessly used and wasted. 2. Plan a backyard camping staycation with the children. Roast marshmallows by...
1 lb ground beef 1/2 red onion diced very fine 2 tsp minced garlic 1tbsp vegetable oil 1/4 cup soy sauce (I use gluten free) 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp sesame seed oil 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp ground ginger chopped lettuce, chopped red peppers,...
COOKIES ‘N CREAM OREO FUDGE BROWNIESYou’ll need : 1 box Ghiradelli fudge brownie mix eggs & oil (as called for by the brownie mix) 1 heaping half cup (6 oz) Cookies & Cream ice cream 1/4 Cup hot fudge topping (chilled or room temp) I like the thick one 16 Oreos DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven...
You’ll need: 12 Chicken thighs skinned sprinkled with salt and pepper both sidesA handful of fresh Spinach (like 16-24 leaves)8 large basil leaves from the garden sliced and diced 1 cup of sliced thin Baby Bella mushrooms1/2 cup of cream1/2 stick of butter2 tablespoons of garlic salt7 sun dried tomatoes 3 tablespoons of sound dried tomato...
You’ll need: • 1 package puff pastry• 6-8 oz. goat cheese• 1/4 cup honey• 4 springs thyme Follow the package instructions for thawing the puff pastry sheets. Roll out the dough a little to flatten it. Using a 2-inch circle cookie or biscuit cutter (or the rim of a small glass), cut rounds out of the dough.Transfer the...
These wings are a hit and my boys ask for them regularly. I use an orange blossom honey that you can get in the cheese section at HEB. It’s in a glass bottle with a stopper but you can make your own by squeezing oranges into the honey and then glazing the meat. This also...
