The reveal of packaged beauties

December 3, 2016

I have waiting for some time now to put up this video. Each year, cutting down the bagged persimmons and opening the bags is like a Gardener's Christmas/ Birthday for me. I realized that I had never videod the event. Here's a little clip so everyone can share in my joy!

Paper Bag Tree - Giant Fuyu Persimmon

August 28, 2016

It is SO SURREAL! I cannot believe that this will be the last season I will be harvesting Persimmon from my beloved Giant Fuyu Persimmon tree - The Autumn Queen of my San Diego orchard. The tree is too established; almost 17 years old, and too big to be transplanted. Regretfully, so far, air layering has failed to produce any viable plants. I am just going to have to buy plant one or two of the Giant Fuyu Persimmon for Temecula garden.

The sight of bird eaten Persimmons finally kicked me into action. Each time I decided I was going into the garden to wrap the ripening Fuyu Persimmon, I mentally kicked myself because I had made yet another trip to the grocery store without buying the needed paper lunch bags!!! Finally, I had to make my third and specific trip to buy the necessary lunch bags.

Jujube Harvest

August 29, 2016

I am crunching on a sweet juicy crunchy fresh Jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba) as I am writing this post. It reminds me of a fresh apple just smaller. Jujube is a fast growing tree and quick to start producing fruit. I would say the only downside are the thorns. You have to be careful harvesting the fruits. Wait...the other downside is the birds love them as much as I do.

Pear -Cardamom Walnut Scones

August 20, 2016 

The fridge and freezer cleanout continues. I have been trying to cook our way out of my pantry, freezer and cupboard so that we will have limited supplies when we move. I spied a few blocks of Pulgra butter in my freezer and a couple of ripe pears in the fridge. Perfect for the Cardamon Pear Scones I had earmarked to make from Baking with Less Sugar book. I had to make do with pecans as I had yet to replenish my walnut supply after giving the bag to my sister.

Our very own Produce Box

August 10, 2016

Quite a beautiful Produce Box this week from the my garden, even if I say so myself! Swiss Chard, Burgundy Okra, Tomatoes and Blood Oranges from my Temecula garden.

Better Than Flour Blueberry Bran Muffin

June 7, 2016

I have always thought of or rather tried not think of bran muffins, associating them with the dry tasteless cardboard muffin "healthy" people eat. Well.... what can I say, I am now one of those people trying to be healthy. I made the Blueberry Bran Muffins from the Baking with Less Sugar. Much to my delight, I would eat them any day. I have to confess being very partial to blueberries so the Blueberry Bran Muffins were an absolute treat. So full of blueberries, it provided a fresh sweetness and moistness to the muffins and a certain childlike enjoyment when one had to lick the purple juices when finishing the last bits of the muffin.

Traditional Mexican Stew - Birria

May 15, 2016

Living in San Diego I am surrounded by delicious Mexican Food so Mexican Food cookbook is not something I am normally attracted to. So far I had only been tempted by Rick Bayless "More Everyday Mexican" and "Fiesta at Rick's." However, while browsing the cookbook table in Costco "Claudia's Cocina, a taste of Mexico" by Claudia Sandoval, winner of MasterChef Season 8 called out to me. Discovering that she was a local from National City/ La Mesa sealed the deal. 

I am so very glad I bought the book. I choose for my first recipe to try, Traditional Mexican Stew- Birria from the book. It allowed me to work with various types of beautiful chiles I see at local Mexican grocery stores, that I have always wondered about. Relatively easy to make despite the longer ingredient list. The results?? Two Big Thumbs UP from family. I have made it twice already and thinking it might be time to make it again!