Container Gardening - Herbs, Chili, Watercress (Update)

Remember towards the end of last summer, I gave a little <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">update on our vegetables, fruits, and herbs</a>? It has been a year (plus a month)! We are now in fall/autumn.<br /><br />Some plants e.g. <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/08/container-gardening-chinese-watercress.html">Chinese watercress</a> survived through last winter while others e.g. chili, basil did not.<br /><br />However, in every gardening project, no matter how minuscule, we learn and improve - from choosing the correct vegetables, herbs and fruits to grow; to picking the platform to grow them e.g. raised bed and container gardening, and especially with California drought conditions - how to create a water-smart garden.<br /><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/295/18450851873_46a359445c.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Chinese watercress 西洋菜</b><br />August last year, we planted <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/08/container-gardening-chinese-watercress.html">Chinese watercress</a> from rooting store-bought Chinese watercress in the City-Picker container (see photo) and it was a success. We have already had at least five harvest from last August batch. With fresh home-grown watercress, I usually cook them in soups e.g. <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2012/05/chinese-watercress-gojiberry-soup.html">Chinese Watercress Soup</a> and rice congee/porridge.<br /><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/387/18448978104_e3ae4b0aec.jpg" /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chinese Watercress</span></i><br /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anestofo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0049PLETI&asins=B0049PLETI&linkId=&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 120px;"></iframe>The <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html"><b>Thai Dragon Chili and Thai (Bird's Eye) Chili</b></a>, unfortunately, did not make it through last winter due to the chilling temperatures. Although they were kept in the greenhouse during winter, the pots/containers were placed directly on the ground during winter and the roots probably could not survive the low soil temperatures (conduction from the cold ground to the soil in the pot) during winter.<br /><br />The <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html"><b>Serrano Chili</b></a> somehow got lucky and survived! Luckily, before winter last year, all the chili were put to good use either through pickling (<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">Pickled Chili</a> - pairs well with <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2012/12/vegetables-noodles-stir-fry.html">Stir-Fry Noodles</a>) or making chili sauce (<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/10/vegetarian-garlic-chili-sauce.html">Garlic Chili Sauce</a> - perfect condiment with <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/10/homemade-chicken-rice.html">homemade chicken rice</a>).<br /><br /><a name="more"></a>Undeterred by the "death" of our favorite chili plants, we bought a few more chili plant seedlings (Super Chili, Jalapeno, and more Serrano) when they were on sale in the local nursery. We were very happy when we saw Super Chili plant seedlings which resembles the Thai Bird's Eye Chili. <br /><br /><b>Super Chili </b> - new! bought this year! <br /><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/560/18882682770_8a2bd6712f_o.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Super Chili plant</i></span><br /><br />No matter how small the gardening project, every drop of water counts. We have been using <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2013/08/edible-raised-beds-and-container.html">DIY drip-irrigation</a> since day one we started our planting projects, and still do. In addition, we have also made careful choices by selected drought-tolerant plants such as Pineapple Guava, and Pomegranate which happened to be good for container gardening as well.<br /><br /><b>Pomegranate - <i>Parfianka </i>Variet</b>y<br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/18447888014_9227a844af_o.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Pineapple Guava</b><br /><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/425/19073627451_5f28ec622f_o.jpg" /><br /><br />There are no flowers to-date for the pomegranate and pineapple guava. <br /><br />Sharing with <a href="http://www.21stcenturyhousewife.com/">Hearth and Soul</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Tag: </span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/gardening" rel="tag">gardening</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/grow+food" rel="tag">grow food</a> </span><br /><script src="http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php/en_US" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">FB.init("ea808497442c6dbff6ecc79cee2b6ebd"); </script><fb:fan connections="0" logobar="0" profile_id="225194391877" stream="0" width="300"></fb:fan><br /><div style="font-size: 8px; padding-left: 2px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Escape-to-Food/225194391877">An Escape to Food</a> on Facebook</div>

Container Gardening - Herbs, Chili, Watercress (Update)

Remember towards the end of last summer, I gave a little update on our vegetables, fruits, and herbs ? It has been a year (plus a month)! We...

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Vegetarian Garlic Chili Sauce 自制辣椒酱

Freshly blended kale, celery and apple juice. Banana and blueberry juice. Technically, you add fruits and/or vegetables in a food blender, add water or ice, press the ON button, and a healthy juice is a few minutes away. Now, what if I put chili + water into the food blender for a high-power blitz? Chili juice! Well, divert it to the sauce regime and call it Chili Sauce as less water is used in proportion.<br /><br />Now that most of the <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">garden chili</a> (Jalapeno, Serrano, Thai Dragon, Thai Bird's Eye) have turned red, making our own red chili sauce came to mind while seeking an alternative to <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">pickling</a> (<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">Pickled Chili</a> <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">recipe</a>). I could<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html"> pickle them all</a> but when pickled, green chili usually turns out better than red (refer <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">Pickled Hatch Chili</a>).<br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/15024231550_312726f217_z.jpg" /><br /><br />Though it has the word "sauce", this chili sauce is not the kind of chili sauce of smooth sticky ketchup-style consistency in the like of bottled chili sauce. Instead, it is similar to the kind of chili-sauce condiment served alongside dishes such as <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/08/poached-chicken.html">chicken rice</a>. Maybe the accurate term to use here, should be chicken-rice chili sauce, made vegetarian.<br /><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15350665011_2aa12ef1cd_z.jpg" /><br /><br />Why do I say that some chili sauce is not vegetarian ? Most chicken-rice chili sauce taste so good because there is chicken stock or rendered chicken fat in it! Yes, so now you know. Buyer, consumers, foodies, vegetarians beware.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/15024379457_8f5df96f0f_o.jpg" /><br /><br /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anestofo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00C6MWPNK&asins=B00C6MWPNK&linkId=KOLX3JUYRPTXZHKE&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 120px;"></iframe><b>Vegetarian Garlic Chili Sauce 自制辣椒酱</b><br /><i>Ingredients</i>: <br />4-5 fresh red chili (<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">red Asian chili</a>, red Jalapeno, red Serrano works)<br />4-5 <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">Thai dragon chili</a><br />2-3 <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">Thai "Birds Eye" chili</a><br />1 small glove garlic<br />Half thumb-size ginger<br />Pinch of salt<br />1/4-1/2 tsp of brown sugar<br />Squeeze of lime juice<br />1tbsp of water if need to to moisten the mixture during blending<br /><br /><i>Directions</i>: Blend everything in the food processor, taste along the way and adjust salt, sugar, lime juice level for personal preference.<br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/15207896451_7921cbb265.jpg" /><br /><br />Sharing with <a href="http://www.21stcenturyhousewife.com/">Hearth and Soul</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Tag: </span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/fresh+chili+sauce" rel="tag">fresh chili sauce</a> </span><br /><script src="http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php/en_US" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">FB.init("ea808497442c6dbff6ecc79cee2b6ebd"); </script><fb:fan connections="0" logobar="0" profile_id="225194391877" stream="0" width="300"></fb:fan><br /><div style="font-size: 8px; padding-left: 2px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Escape-to-Food/225194391877">An Escape to Food</a> on Facebook</div>

Vegetarian Garlic Chili Sauce 自制辣椒酱

Freshly blended kale, celery and apple juice. Banana and blueberry juice. Technically, you add fruits and/or vegetables in a food blender, a...

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Rice Stuffed Hatch Chili Pepper

<a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">Hatch</a> is to <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">chili pepper</a>, just as Champagne is to sparkling wine. Now, this is how I remember what <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">Hatch Chile</a> is all about. <br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14985859285_064edf9bf2_z.jpg" /><br /><br />As the <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">pickled Hatch chili</a> was "tested" mild- or even non-spicy, the rest of the hatch peppers did not share the same fate. They were stuffed with some leftover <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/12/easy-turmeric-spiced-vegetables-rice.html">fried rice</a> (e.g. <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/12/easy-turmeric-spiced-vegetables-rice.html">Turmeric Spiced Rice</a>) and roasted instead.<br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5579/14985862475_f0d9c27871_z.jpg" /> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Before roasting</i></span><br /><a name="more"></a><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anestofo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001L5TVGW&asins=B001L5TVGW&linkId=XNOWZON2RRZIBD7S&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 120px;"></iframe><b>Rice Stuffed Hatch Chili Pepper</b><br /><i>Ingredients</i>:<br />2 medium-size Hatch chili, cut a slit through and remove pith and seeds<br />Vegetarian or non-vegetarian <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/07/spiced-potato-tomato-rice-indian.html">leftover fried rice</a> (about 1/2-1 cup of fried rice, to fill 2 Hatch chili). <br />Cheese or <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/basil-walnut-pesto.html">homemade pesto</a><i> </i>(optional)<br /><br /><i>Directions</i>: Preheat oven 400F. Stuffed the Hatch chili with fried rice. Lay on baking sheet, drizzle some olive oil over the stuffed chili and sprinkle cheese or slather some pesto over the rice in the chili.<i> </i>Roast in the oven for about 25 minutes till the chili turns slightly charred on the outside and has turned tender-soft. Serve with vegetable-sides.<br /><br />For this dish, I found that the rice became hard and dry in the roasting process, therefore it definitely needs improvements the next time.<br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3847/14962861586_37b77ccdde_z.jpg" /> <br /><i>Before roasting</i><br /><br />On second thoughts, I prefer the <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2015/09/pickled-hatch-chili.html">pickled Hatch chili</a> as a condiment. <br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/14982750141_1aed404032_z.jpg" /> <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>After roasting</i></span><br /><br />Sharing with <a href="http://www.21stcenturyhousewife.com/">Hearth and Soul</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Tag: </span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/stuffed+Hatch+chili" rel="tag">stuffed Hatch chili</a> </span><br /><script src="http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php/en_US" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">FB.init("ea808497442c6dbff6ecc79cee2b6ebd"); </script><fb:fan connections="0" logobar="0" profile_id="225194391877" stream="0" width="300"></fb:fan><br /><div style="font-size: 8px; padding-left: 2px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Escape-to-Food/225194391877">An Escape to Food</a> on Facebook</div>

Rice Stuffed Hatch Chili Pepper

Hatch is to chili pepper , just as Champagne is to sparkling wine. Now, this is how I remember what Hatch Chile is all about. As the pickl...

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Pickled Hatch Chili 自制泡椒/腌辣椒

Hatch Chili season is usually short. I <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2013/09/roasted-hatch-green-chili.html">roasted</a> some (e.g. <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2013/09/roasted-hatch-green-chili.html">Roasted Hatch Chili</a>) the last season to make <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/09/avocado-hatch-chili-lime-pasta-sauce.html">sauce-salsa</a>.<br /><br />Today, I took the easier route to pickle. I do not know if Hatch Chili can indeed be pickled as most chili-pickling ideas from the web were either Jalapeno (most common variety for pickling), or other chili e.g. Habanero, <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">Thai chili</a>. Anyway, I am guessing it can work for the Hatch variety.<br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14908604451_c17f4bb45d_z.jpg" /><br /><br />To make it a <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/09/pickled-chili-steamed-whole-fish.html">fuss-free pickle</a> that everyone at home can do and will do, the recipe is kept to the bare minimum - chili and vinegar. That's it. I did not even add salt or sugar.<br /><br />If you have <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2010/03/pickled-green-chili-condiment-with-any.html">pickled chili</a>, you can try this <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/09/pickled-chili-steamed-whole-fish.html">Pickled Chili Steamed Whole Fish</a>. <br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/14911305542_a81955a003_z.jpg" /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anestofo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001DIZ1NO&asins=B001DIZ1NO&linkId=J3DO6356BWFCZH6Z&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 120px;"></iframe><b>Pickled Hatch Chili 自制泡椒/腌辣椒</b><br /><i>Ingredients</i>:<br />8-10 Hatch chili (you can purchase a combination of mild-hot and medium-hot chili)<br /><a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/06/flax-oil-vinegar-honey-chickpea-salad.html">Organic apple cider vinegar</a>, enough to submerge the chili<br /><br /><i>Directions</i>: Rinse chili with water, then pat-dry. Slice the chili and place into glass jars. Pour organic apple cider vinegar till the chili are fully submerged.<br /><br />Store in the fridge (Believe it or not! Mine kept well to almost a year!) and they can be ready in less than a week, as condiment for <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2010/03/pickled-green-chili-condiment-with-any.html">stir-fry noodles</a> or <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2010/03/pickled-green-chili-condiment-with-any.html">noodle soup</a>.  <br /><br /><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14725108727_179ae0434e_z.jpg" /> <br /><br />In the Hatch chili pickle, you can also mix in the <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">hotter and sweeter red chili</a> (I have some from the <a href="http://teczcape.blogspot.com/2014/08/container-gardening-herbs-chili.html">garden</a>!) to spice things up a little. <br /><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/14985512762_6c98911e1a_z.jpg" /><br /><br />Sharing with <a href="http://www.21stcenturyhousewife.com/">Hearth and Soul</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Tag: </span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/pickled+chili" rel="tag">pickled chili</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/Hatch+chili" rel="tag">Hatch chili</a> </span><br /><script src="http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php/en_US" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">FB.init("ea808497442c6dbff6ecc79cee2b6ebd"); </script><fb:fan connections="0" logobar="0" profile_id="225194391877" stream="0" width="300"></fb:fan><br /><div style="font-size: 8px; padding-left: 2px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Escape-to-Food/225194391877">An Escape to Food</a> on Facebook</div>

Pickled Hatch Chili 自制泡椒/腌辣椒

Hatch Chili season is usually short. I roasted some (e.g. Roasted Hatch Chili ) the last season to make sauce-salsa . Today, I took the eas...

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