Roll-up style sandwiches are fun containers to house all kinds of ingredients in. Usually a base of sticky rice is not only nice to hold everything together, but also has a mild flavor as backdrop for the additional ingredient's flavors to come through.
Wild grape leaves grow everywhere. Best to pick the leaves before July is through, as the leaves get progressively tougher through the season. Cut off good-looking leaves, free from holes or brown spots.
Back in the kitchen, fill a large pot with water and tbsp salt. Bring to boil. Meanwhile, snip stems off leaves and wash. In another pot/basin add water and handful of ice cubes. (This is for submerging the grape leaves into to stop the cooking.)
When boiling water is ready, drop grape leaves in and stir continuously for 90 seconds, swishing to separate. Shut off heat and use tongs to remove leaves and submerge into cold water.(when boiling water completely cools down, use to water any outdoor plants as there are nutrients that have leeched into it)
Stack and roll grape leaves and put into a mason jar. Add salt, sugar, garlic, spices, some ACV, then fill with water. Leaves should be fully submerged. Place into fridge for a couple days.
To stuff
I cooked white rice, then added coconut oil, sugar, allspice, and salt. To that I added cut mint leaves, parsley, chopped cashew nuts(they were out of pine nuts), and cooked, spiced ground pork. Currants would also be nice, I forgot to buy them.
Spreading a grape leaf on a plate, wrong side up, I added the filling, folded over sides, bottom, then rolled over tightly.
Drizzle olive oil into cast iron pan and line with grape leaf, then place dolmas onto leaf. Turn heat on low. In a measuring glass add 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup lemon juice, pinch of salt, 2 pinches sugar. Whisk and drizzle into pan, flatten rolls with spatula, then cover. Set timer for 45 minutes. Baste liquid over dolmas periodically through cooking, keeping rolls flat with spatula.
Remove cover and allow to cool for 5 then transfer to plates. Enjoy at room temperature, not piping hot. Looks extra nice if drizzled with a yogurt sauce.
Vanessa virginiences, or American Lady on Liatrus Spicata, or Button Snakewort.
Both Native
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
There are a lot of expressions that we hear now and then; most we think we know the origin of, some we don't. For the most part we just don't ponder the origin of commonplace expressions because they are... common. The first thing I discovered when beginning to read this little gem of a book, was not only hadn't I considered where many common sayings come from, but my preconceived idea of their origin was actually wrong! Kinda embarrassing, but guessing I may not be alone in this. I thought it would be of value then to share some tidbits from this book. Audio format is nice, as you can multitask while listening to this. This is my first attempt at recording reading a book, so any constructive criticism is welcome!
Cool! I've never noticed galls on staghorn sumac. Location: SE NH.
Melaphis rhois on Rhus typhina
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1112
Happy garden with all the heat, humidity, and occasional rain.
I made a yummy zucchini chocolate bread for my sister's visit. Going to air fry some of what I just picked.
