Hoop House Goodies

These pics were taken a couple of weeks ago, but they're proof that stuff is coming up in the hoop house.   I'll post current pics soon.

I planted a bunch of bib lettuce and it's happy.  I have baby carrots coming up and a few seedlings of fennel.   Also, radishes and a bunch of other greens.

We happened to put the hoop house over the bed that had a lot of cilantro last year.

I love cilantro and it's a good thing because it self sows like crazy.   We'll probably never have to plant it again.

I think the seedlings are cute.

Fall Gardening

It's time to plant the fall garden.    Mostly I plant things that I can surround with a cold frame later, but this year I wanted some extra cilantro so in August I planted two rows of it.

And it sat.

And sat.

And never came up. 

And then in rained.

And rained.

And rained.

And this is what happened. 

Finally.   

Mango Season!

As I was writing things up for this week, I realized that I've got a whole lot of stuff coming up to do with mangoes.  It's mango season!

It's easy to find beautiful mangoes at your local store these days and there are loads of things to do with them.   Check out yesterday's post for an easy way to cut a mango up into small pieces without shooting it across the room like a bar of wet soap. 


Today I've got a recipe for a Mango Sauce that is so good, it makes a terrific summer soup.

The family did not share my soup enthusiasm.  They liked it as a cool sauce over squash fritters.

I liked it in a bowl with a spoon.  

You can eat it however you want.

Mango Curry Sauce [Soup]

• 1 large mango cut up
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon red curry paste
• a handful of fresh cilantro chopped finely

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor.   Serve at room temperature.  Refrigerate leftovers.   [Not that there will be any.]

Summer Fruit Salad with Cilantro

I love fruit salads with unexpected twists.  One of the best salads I've ever had was a simple mango salsa. 

Mango Salsa

• 4 mangoes chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 bunch green onions chopped finely
• 1 bunch cilantro chopped finely
• Juice of 1 or 2 limes

Mix and serve.  It's good if it sits for a couple of hours, too.    Delicious with tortilla chips or as a side dish all on its own.

We took the mango salsa recipe and dressed it up with pineapple and strawberries.  The strawberries, onions and cilantro came out of our own garden.

Mmmmm.

Summer Fruit Salad with Cilantro

• 4 mangoes, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 fresh pineapple,  cored and chopped into bite sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped finely
• 1 large bunch cilantro chopped finely
• Juice of 1 or 2 limes

Mix and serve.